A torturous plot

As someone who wanted to read the book Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man by Steve Harvey after watching the trailer to this movie, I was left slightly disappointed.

The A-list cast were the only thing that made the film bearable – OK, that’s a lie, I did laugh so hard at points I started to cry, but the overload of cheese and cringe fests was intolerable and ruined it for me.

It started satisfactory, but I told myself the movie would get better once it found its footing … but unfortunately, it actually got worse.

The film is based on the Family Feud host Steve Harvey’s book, showing women how to change their game plan and trick their men into the relationship they strive for. 

It focuses on six friends in various stages of their relationships.

Cedric, the joker, played by Kevin Hart, in his last phase of finalising his divorce to Gail (Wendy Williams) puts on a façade of the soon-to-be single man.

Dominic (Michael Ealy) is the dreamy-eyed wannabe chef who lies about his career to make it with the strong-headed Lauren (Taraji P. Henson), a rich businesswoman and a demanding dater.

Jeremy (Jerry Ferrera) has been with his girlfriend Kristin (Gabrielle Union) since college and she’s sick of his immaturity.

Mamma’s boy Michael (Terrence Jenkins) meets Candace (Regina Hall), a single mother, who doesn’t want to compete for his heart with his mum.

Zeke (Romany Malco) is a master player who meets Mya (Meagan Good), a nice girl trying to find a nice guy who puts him on a 90-day no intimacy test.

And then there’s happily married Bennett who plays a worthless role.

The females use Harvey’s book for advice on their relationships and it actually works. However, the men soon realise what the ladies are up to.

But just when you think the fun’s about to begin steaming up the plot, it instead comes down to a bunch of desperate men pretending to be well-mannered with the attempt of turning the tables on their significant others.

Ultimately, they fall so madly in love, they can’t help but use soggy one-liners to express how they feel about their partners.

The actors try their best to make it work. It isn’t necessarily about the stupid and predictable plot, but it’s more the bond between the characters that provide heartfelt scenes, especially when the group of friends discuss relationship issues.

The script is witty and smart at times and these are the only scenes that provide real humour as the portrayals of the relationships are boring and clichéd.

Lauren and Dominic were the only two characters I was rooting for and could have had a film on their own. With the addition of Hart and Chris Brown, who randomly pops up, it would definitely be one to watch.

Hart provided the movie with comedic genius. He offers the funniest moments throughout and if it wasn’t for him I would have been out of the theatre in the first half an hour.
The viewer is subjected to four different rom-coms stuffed into one film. You may think this means four times the pleasure, but it’s actually four times the torture and drags on for two hours.

I really wanted to give this movie five popcorns because I’m a fan of most of the actors in it.

I wish the exact ensemble were in a better movie, possibly one that is not an advert for a self-help book.

*Showing in Dana Cinema