Movie review: “Not Easily Broken”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. 2 1/2 of 4 stars, with a slap on the wrist for all the cliches.
Stereotypes strain film’s marital message
It’s tough to get too critical of a movie as earnest as “Not Easily Broken,” a melodrama that sincerely makes the case that couples should work to keep their marriages whole and cope with the hard knocks of life together.
Based on the novel by Dallas megachurch pastor T.D. Jakes, the film strongly promotes the Christian view that marital bonds should be treated as sacred, lasting and stronger with faith in God. But the overwrought drama, clichéd characters and stale storylines undermine the wholesome message and make the movie seem longer than its 99 minutes.
The comparisons between the film and the works of playwright/filmmaker Tyler Perry are unavoidable: Both center on well-off, church-going black couples and families dealing with relationship crises.
“Not Easily Broken” focuses on Dave Johnson (Morris Chestnut, whose droning narration soon grates the nerves), a once-promising baseball player who blew out his knee and now runs a handyman business. His wife, Clarice (Taraji P. Henson), an ambitious real estate agent, is the main breadwinner, but has trouble living within their means.
The couple faces other relatable modern marriage issues: He wants children, but she’s not ready. She’s more concerned about appearances and building his business, while he’s more interested in coaching a Little League baseball team.
Their troubled marriage gets even rockier after a car accident leaves Clarice with a twisted leg and a bitter attitude. Her nosy, judgmental mother (Jenifer Lewis) moves in and takes over, while Dave hires physical therapist Julie Sawyer (Maeve Quinlan) to train Clarice to walk again.
While Clarice’s physical injuries heal, their relationship doesn’t, and Dave finds himself increasingly drawn to Julie, a single mom, and her athletic son Bryson (Cannon Jay).
“Not Easily Broken” would more effectively address the battle of the sexes if it presented a fairer fight. While Dave mostly suffers stoically in his floundering marriage, Clarice shrilly complains about everything, including his volunteer work coaching a team of at-risk boys, while her mother contributes to the harpy volume.
Chestnut and Henson give added nuance to their roles, but their co-stars struggle with tired dialogue and stereotypes. Kevin Hart provides comic relief as Dave’s touchy-feely basketball buddy, Eddie Cibrian combines the player and token white guy roles as Dave’s other pal, and Niecy Nash gets to shriek “Girl!” and “Don’t even!” as Clarice’s BFF.
With more subtlety and originality, “Not Easily Broken” could have been much stronger.
- BAM
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I don’t love mooshy stories about love, family etc.. but I’m man enough to admit when a story jerks some emotion. There is nothing wrong with a film that inspires people to not give up when the going gets tough.
I Hyped Not Easily Broken on Everhype and gave it 86% which I think is fairly accurate.
http://www.everhype.com/hyper/thebitch?X=M952
I wouldn’t mind getting some opinions on it . If you get on there, rate me a 5 & request friendship.