Prejudice? Or something else? (3)
One of the things I remember very clearly from my preteen years is a copy of 'Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey which used to peek out at me any time I cast a glance in the direction of our overflowing (believe me, we love to read) bookcase.
Of course, up until now, this book —which, to tell you the truth, I've never read— has been but a memory.
Something like those momentary flashes you ( maybe it's only me) have of yourself eating infant cereal or watching Dora The Explorer.
However, recently, I came across the movie Think Like a Man on Netflix, and I decided to have a go at it.
It was fantastic!
Hilarious from start to finish (as anyone who knows Kevin Hart would expect), this is a lighthearted take on the lengths men and women can go to 'score' in the dating game.
The story revolves around a group of friends, all men who incidentally find themselves in relationships with a group of friends, all women. The group comprises four black guys and two white guys, and they get along famously.
Cedric, played by Kevin Hart, is the unofficial head of the 'boy band'. Believing that he is in possession of some sagacious words that his friends are in dire need of, Cedric regularly churns out dating advice to his friends that will leave you in stitches.
What is the link to the book?
Well, the women, as is often the case, have identified flaws in their men that are in the way of their getting the happily ever after they always wanted with their 'prince charming'.
In an attempt to fix these flaws, they each buy Steve Harvey's book— which is an instruction manual of sorts for women.
Harvey himself appears in the movie. Sometimes, he appears on shows the women watch and explains portions of the book. In other scenes, only his voice can be heard reading or explaining parts.
Wikipedia just about sums up the plotline with this brief storyline:
1. The Mama's Boy" vs. "The Single Mom"
Terrence J stars as Michael Hanover, "The Mama's Boy" who meets single mum Candace Hall (played by Regina Hall). Of course, Michael's mum, also single has driven al of Michael's past girlfriends away with her smothering and overprotectiveness, and she definitely disapproves of a woman who already has a child of her own.
Michael, however, is in love for the first time and things don't seem to be going his mother's way this time around.
Will mama's love be too strong for Michael, or will Steve's advice for dealing with situations like this come through for Candace?
2. "The Non-Committer" vs. "The Girl Who Wants the Ring"
Jerry Ferrara plays Jeremy Kern, "The Non-Committer". Unwilling to get a job or do anything someone with the mental capacity of a prepubescent boy is incapable of, Jeremy has his girlfriend, Kristen (Gabrielle Union) acting like 'one of the guys'.
Finally, when she gets fed up with living as if they've never gotten out of their college phase, she starts to revamp the house and urge Jeremy to get a job.
Of, course, she turns to Harvey for help.
Is following a series of steps really all you need to get a commitment-phobe to have marriage on the brain?
3. "The Dreamer" vs. "The Woman Who Is Her Own Man"
Michael Ealy plays Dominic, "The Dreamer", a waiter who dreams of owning his own restaurant someday.
Dominic meets and falls in love with Taraji P. Henson's Lauren Harris, an accomplished career woman who is literally her own man (that is if a man is a source of financial stability).
Despite her business acumen, Lauren has been quite unlucky in the relationships department, and she finds Dominic's calm manner, boyish charm, and deep regard for her opinions and emotions very refreshing.
Unfortunately, Lauren wants a male version of herself, and Michael's boys convince him, to create a version of himself that appeals to Lauren's fantasies.
Their blossoming relationship hangs in the balance when Lauren finds out what he really does.
Even worse, a blast from Lauren's past comes to town, and it starts to seem she has finally found what she has been looking for all this while.
Is it really such a bad idea to date a man who doesn't earn as much as you do?
4. "The Player" vs. "The 90 Day Rule Girl"
Romany Malco's Zeke Freeman is "The Player" who meets Mya, "The 90 Day Rule Girl" (played by Meagan Good) at a bar.
Zeke is enthralled by her beauty, and hoping to score a date, he lays on the charm really thick.
Mya is tired of casual hookups and one night stands that never lead to meaningful relationships.
Eager to be treated with respect by the men she decides to date, she turns to Steve Harvey, and of course, he doesn't disappoint.
Steve's very own version of playing hard to get goes something like this:
We all appreciate something more if we have to work tirelessly for it, don't we?
Mya decides to try out Steve's ninety-day rule in her relationship with Zeke.
With steely resolve, she limits their interactions to chaste kisses which end at of her doorsteps.
Later, she loosens up a bit and invites him in, but she sticks to her rule and refuses to let him stay over.
When Zeke gets his hands on Steve's book, he changes tactics and finally gets her to invite him to stay over.
Only, just when she's about to break her rule, she finds a copy of Think Like a Man in his drawer.
Of course, the evening didn't end the way Zeke had imagined it would. Not at all.
At this point, when all the secrets and lies are out, you'll be palpably tense, almost as if you're waiting to see if your favorite American Idol Contestant will be crowned the winner.
As always, there's no need to worry.
Now that we feel like one of the girls (or guys) and are heavily invested in their relationships, I can say this:
At the end of the day, true love conquers all things.
It really does.
Oh no! That was so much fun! I can't believe it ended just like that.
Don't worry, it's a two-part movie, and in my next post, I'll be looking at the next movie, Think Like a Man Too.
You can check out Hart's new project Die Hart if you're interested, and as always share, vote, follow me and comment