Ahhh love, one of the cinema’s most beloved subjects; if the silver screen has taught us anything it’s that the feeling of being in love can be bought, sold, traded and faked, but if you find that certain someone it’ll be fully worth the hell you’ve been through to get there. Hollywood’s latest foray into all things amorous is Just Wright starring Queen Latifah. Latifah plays Leslie Wright, a north Jersey physical therapist and die hard New Jersey Nets fan that can’t seem to find the right guy, finding only men who think she’s the perfect girl, friend…just not girlfriend. On the way home from the Nets home opener she has a chance meeting with franchise player Scott McKnight (Common) and is invited to a birthday party at his house that Friday. Unfortunately meeting and marrying an NBA’er just happens to be the dream of Leslie’s God-Sister the sultry and beautiful, Morgan (Paula Patton) who’s only ambition in life is to use her looks to land a rich husband. McKnight falls for Morgan’s tricks and before you know it the two are set to be married. That is, of course, until an injury threatens McKnight’s career. Morgan heads for the hills but not before landing her God-Sister and best friend Leslie a job as McKnight’s live in physical therapist. Ok, that’s enough no more plot for you. So is this a departure from the sugary sweet world of the formulaic romantic comedy, or just more of the same?
Honestly, it’s a little from column A and a little from column B. Yes, some of it is predictable and yes there is some dialogue so damn sweet it’ll cause a diabetic coma. However, it’s not exactly what I would call formulaic. Usually in rom-com’s it’s boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl hit some contrived conflict conveniently placed so the movie has a plot, boy and girl make up and live happily ever after. Just Wright takes a more real avenue to get to its eventual conclusion with the beautiful person getting what they want leaving the less visually striking of the two to wallow. But wallow she does not, which is another thing I liked about the film. While it does nothing for women’s lib with one of its main female characters only concerned about finding a man to complete her life, Latifah’s Leslie only starts that way. When she doesn’t get the man she doesn’t sit around and eat pint after pint of ice cream, she gets on with her life. She has her own place (even if her Dad does all the handyman work), her own job and other than a scene here and there seems completely fine on her own if not a bit lonely. Latifah is completely magnetic as Leslie Wright and really shows how and why she went from being a rapper to a respected actress commanding every scene she’s in. Patton is also very good as Morgan she somehow manages to make you love her, than hate her, than be ambivalent, than love her again. She really took what could’ve been a shallow one sided character and gave it some depth. The twists in the story are what really give it bite, while you can see some of it coming a mile away other facets of the story may catch you by surprise. Another nice surprise about the film was seeing Phylicia Rashad as McKnight’s protective mother. It has been far too long since she has graced any screen, be it big or small, and it was damn good to see her back. While her role as a mother was not a stretch from her best known body of work she definitely show’s why Cliff Huxtable’s main squeeze is one of the all time iconic TV mothers.
Like I said, Just Wright, is a little bit of both worlds, so what’s in column B? More of the same unfortunately as the film is, at its core, formulaic. That’s expected so what else is wrong with it? The dialogue is at times so sweet it could induce a diabetic coma and unfortunately the leading man, Common, can’t deliver those sugary lines too convincingly. I think the guy has a good future as the strong silent type in action movies; I just think that he’s got some growing to do as a romantic lead. This film is a great stepping stone for him, and if he keeps at it he has the charisma to be a force in this type of role. That being said he still maintains a certain level of likability that allows you to enjoy the movie through the cringes. Adding to the lull in acting ability are cameos from many NBA stars and one ESPN analyst in Stuart Scott, man I hope that guy never leaves ESPN because an acting career is unfathomable.
Just Wright was a completely enjoyable if not harmless romantic comedy. Given your option between this and Jennifer Lopez’s new one The Back Up Plan, choose just Wright it’s light years better than the Lopez vehicle. With a somewhat original story and great chemistry between the leads Just Wright provides a good time that a couple can enjoy together. Just don’t start expecting NBA paycheck gifts from us ladies, you know it’s just a movie!
