Something old, something borrowed and actually something new this time.
I decided to go see “Jumping the Broom,” the newest black-cast film, after the confirming tweet from @Pink29Lemonade that the movie was worth my watching. So, I ventured out alone since many of my nearby possible movie companions cannot see a black movie without adding their sometimes obnoxious, although funny, blackness to it. My initial reaction was that I have seen this all before, but then writers Elizabeth Hunter and Arlene Green surprised me.
And I should give these ladies their due. Hunter (who I would now like to become) has worked as a writer and/or producer on “ER,” “Beauty Shop,” and, my fav, “The L Word.” And while this is Gibb’s first shot at writing a feature, she did produce 2008′s “Traitor.”
Now that you have seen their resumes, let’s get back to their joint creation.
Synopsis: “Jumping the Broom,” follows the spinting love of Sabrina Watson, a privileged, easy-to-bed hottie turned chasity-vower, and Jason Taylor, a city boy turned Wall Street man. Their dedication to one another gets put on the line when Sabrina is offered a job in China (points for powermove*). Will Jason and her love end? Well, you can guess what happens since the movie continues. El Debarge helps to seal the deal and wedding plans are made just 6 months into their uptown NY relationship. Being short on time, the rehearsal dinner will be the first time Sabrina and her French-tongued family of old money meet Jason’s hood-bred relatives. Of course, worlds collide. Rich v. poor. Upity v. Southern. Etc. And then something new happens.
Why it’s worth the matinee ticket price: No need to pay the full $10-12. There are no special effects, no 3D, no CGI. Just good-ol’ fashioned actors on the elaborately-gorgeous NY landscape, and most of the action happens in or around the house.
Despite the decorated mansion, raw honesty is all around. That’s what I love about this film. You see black people admitting to being proud, shocked an intimidated by other blacks having wealth. You see what many would consider black culture has been turned on its head. “Soul Food” and “Guess Who” have taught has what all blacks have in common is a love for soul food, faith in God and an unrealistic natural ability to do the Electric Slide. But “Jumping the Broom” allows real, but breif, dialogue about these topics, and we find that those universal loves so many of us take comfort in are not the bread and butter of blackness, nor are they universal. The question is, can the two families be OK with that?
This film runs toward other cliche’s and then quickly detours, teasing this reviewer who hates to see the same things appearing in movies, espeicially black ones which are so rare, and therfore, need to impress and seek artistic worthiness. It seems like it’s going to be about the power of God in relationships, but that’s not it. It seems like it’s going to be a movie about juxtiposition of two distrinct black cultures, but it’s more than that. Then it seems like it’s going to be about rushing into marriage, but it’s more than that. And finally it toys with being about leaving the hood behind and forgetting where you come from, but that’s not what its about.
What is it about? Everything. Love, relationships, family, accepting what’s new, appreciating what’s old, learning to let go and sucking it up because no family is without dirt, no couple without arguments, no rejected invitation without a bit of longing behind it. And all of the characters step up and tell the others when they are wrong.
Some actors fare more well than others. Paula Patton as Sabrina is cute but I don’t actually start to like her (don’t get me wrong, she’s gorgeous) until half-way through because all she emits is soft-spoken cuteness. And though I love the writers for giving the woman the big job and having the man make the should-I-follow-her decision, Patton doesn’t give me the typical power-woman demeanor, which I suppose is refreshing despite being a little boring.
Laz Alonzo is handsome, likable and not concerned with being the perfect masculine fiance who fixes everything and is easily tempted. He tries – and it’s a good look for him.
The stars, of course, are Loretta Divine and Angela Bassett. Both are strong no-nonsense mothers, as usual, and give their characters depth and likability while also showing us just how volatile and selfish a mother can be. Valerie Pettiford also does a nice job as Sabrina’s aunt-figure. Brian Stokes Mitchell, a striking resemblance to Obama, holds his own and would make a great dad, though with big secrets, for anyone.
Meagan Good, Tasha Smith, DeRay Davis and Mike Epps take on their usual roles as the comedic releieve (and sex kitten in Good’s case), although all of them are extremely toned down and add just enough to the film without becoming irritating. Julie Bowen was short-changed as the white wedding planner who can’t stop asking questions about race. Her best moments were when she wasn’t speaking the lines she was given and instead let her body language and antics do the talking.
Also a treat was the opening credits with photos of black weddings past to present. Someone put a lot of heart and care into that slideshow and what a perfect movie to pair it with. Match made in heaven.
P.S.
I must add this. A disturbing but truthful comment about women with dark skin getting played in the dating world was made but never addressed. I find this disturbing and hope somewhere in the deleted scenes is a response to this. The actress who played the dark skinned bridesmaid is undeniably beautiful, but not every dark skinned girl is just like not every light skinned girl is. I think we all know the days of judging beauty and worth on skin color are not behind us. If there’s a sequel to this romanc/comedy/family/gospel/drama then I hope someone speaks some truth on this topic. …
I remember the first time I took the stage for a slam in Ann Arbor for the Brave New Voices Youth Poetry Slam. It was the early 2000s. I was in my second year of high school. Essentially, it was the best thing to ever happen to me.
