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January 2009
NOT EASILY BROKEN

by Wilson Morales

NOT EASILY BROKEN



Distributor: Screen Gems (Sony)
Director: Bill Duke
Screenwriter: Brian Bird
Cast: Morris Chestnut, Taraji P. Henson, Maeve Quinlan, Jenifer Lewis, Kevin Hart, Cannon Jay, April Betts
Rating: PG-13 (for sexual references and thematic elements)
The success of Tyler Perry's films and their church-related themes doesn't mean anyone can make a film with the same themes and get the same results.


   






















Bishop T.D Jakes came into the film world prior to Perry with 'Woman Thou Art Loosed' and is back on the scene and screen with his latest film, 'Not Easily Broken', which stars Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson. While each of the actors give compelling performances, the film is saddled with convoluted and contrived plots that makes one question what its initial intentions were.

Based on the Jakes' novel of the same name, the film starts with the wedding of Dave and Clarice and with the pastor stating that as long as God is the third member of their marriage, the union is safe from harm and destruction. All is good at first, as Dave is ready to embark on a thriving baseball career and Clarice is ready to get into the real estate world. An injury forces Dave to give up the game and become a contractor with a small building and remodeling company. Living in a big house in California, Clarice is working twice as hard to maintain her standard of living and holds up the plan to start a family.

fter an injury to Clarice turns the tables around and Dave gets his confidence back, things don't go back to normal when his mother-in-law comes to live with them and care for her daughter. With two women in the house, egos flare, and with money surrounding their problems, their marriage is in the brink of implosion. It doesn't get any better when another woman comes into their lives and makes an impact on their marriage.

The problem with the film is that while Jakes intends to have God solve all problems, he didn't write enough character development to make the audience feel any sympathy for any of the main leads.

Why would anyone want to feel sorry for a woman who cares more for her personal needs than her marriage?

Both Chestnut and Henson give good performances but neither of their characters were good enough to care for. And how many films can Jenifer Lewis (pictured above) do where she gives the same performance all the time? Once you see her in the film, you just know what to expect from her. Also, Kevin Hart is NOT funny. His scenes makes one cringe in their seats. His jokes are deadly. Bill Duke is a good director but he tried to add one too many themes that didn't pay out in the end.