Friday, 26 January 2018

BITE-SIZED REVIEW: Think Like A Man (Tim Story, 2012)

Based on a self-help book by comedian Steve Harvey, Think Like A Man is another one of those ensemble rom coms ala What To Expect When You're Expecting and He's Just Not That Into You. Directed by Tim Story, the movie boasts a great cast and, while predictable, is better than those movies I've already mentioned.



Comedian Steve Harvey (playing himself) has released an advice book offering women an insight into the male psyche. A group of women in various kinds of relationships decide to follow the book's advice. Hilarity ensues.

This movie has the good fortune to have a really strong cast. The standout of the male cast members is Romany Malco (The 40 Year Old Virgin). This is the first time I've seen him in something in a while, and he's really good as a player forced to change his ways when his latest would-be pickup (Meagan Good) puts the brakes on his usual strategy.

Because the movie's premise, the movie ends up being more female-centred (although it does feel like we spend more time on the guys as a group). It helps that this side of the cast are legitimately terrific. Actually, it does often feel like the movie is a little lopsided: Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union and Regina Hall really take the movie on their shoulders.




Like a lot of people, my first introduction to Regina Hall was her roles in the Scary Movies. Here she is far more subdued as a mom re-entering the dating scene. She is very sweet and believable, and made me wish this character had a movie to herself.

This movie really reaffirmed how good Gabrielle Union is. She is such a good actress she makes you believe that she could be in a longterm relationship with friggin' Turtle from Entourage.


The one story that feels a bit pat is the romance between Taraji P. Henson's career woman and daydreamer Michael Ealy. It involves the most contrived premise (poor guy pretends to be rich to get a woman out of his league) and is not developed enough to become more original. Henson is also so good as this hyper-independent woman that it makes no sense why she would fall for Ealy - he's okay but their romance never really convinces.

In the end, Think Like A Man is a solid rom com that does exactly what it says on the tin. Amid the dross clogging up Netflix, it is actually worth a look. 

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