I read the book to this and it was much better (Of course), but it’s about time I see Wesley Snipes play in a movie that’s actually descent, and not some super hero (blade). He needs more good roles like he had in “New Jack City”, and even “Jungle Fever”. But this movie was really good. He did an excellent job in this one. Saana Lathan did a wonderful job too. I like her. I hope she does more movies in the future.

WARNING: SPOILERS

Zora (Sanaa Lathan) is an aspiring singer and song-writer recently moved to Brooklyn. She meets Franklin (Wesley Snipes) a carpenter as she is moving in to her newly renovated brownstone. Sparks fly between the two and they quickly wind up in bed. This movie is pretty standard up to this point and then we learn more about the characters. We find out Franklin is married (though separated), has two children (but rarely pays child support) and has not managed to finish high school (though he is well-spoken and can play a mean game of Scrabble).

Now for some women the breaking point to a relationship with a guy would be finding out he is married with two kids. In this movie? No way. Instead when Zora, a woman we think is intelligent, finds out these things about Franklin she is initially upset but quickly “gets over it” and even invites “Fast Frankie” to live with her. When he lets her know that he can’t even afford to split the rent with her she doesn’t mind! Instead she gives him the keys to her home and tells him not to worry about. This is first of the many improbable events that occur in this film.

Once Zora stupidly allows Fast Frankie into her home and life she gets pregnant and seriously contemplates abortion. She makes the decision to go ahead with it and in a distasteful scene argues with Fast Frankie as he begs her not to “kill his baby”. Of course Zora being Zora she decides to go ahead with having a baby with Franklin (who barely takes care of the kids he already has). Franklin resolutely promises that he will take care of Zora and the baby and will work THREE JOBS if he has too. The story progresses and Zora is heavily pregnant and it appears Franklin keeps his word as he finds a steady gig at a unionized construction site.

Things go well until Franklin drinks on the job, falls down injuring himself and is ultimately fired. Zora has the baby and since Franklin is too proud to accept work from his father or former boss, Zora carries the entire family financially. Keep in mind she works full-time as a music teacher, is pursuing a music career and, oh yeah, has recently had a son she has to care for. Although Franklin doesn’t have a job and won’t go look for work because, as he explains it, “it’s too cold” he doesn’t try to cook, clean or change wet baby diapers. That of course is women’s work.

It is at this stage that we finally see some hope for this hopeless story of strange love. Zora finally gets fed up and asks Franklin to leave. Even in this though she makes a mistake. After telling Franklin to pack his things and go, she leaves the house with their child. When she returns she finds that Franklin, in a drunken self-pitying stupor, has completely trashed her home. We see scenes where Franklin takes his hammer and rips everything he has built. He breaks down a coat rack, a mantle, a book case, etc. Now, as the viewer, you can only believe that Fast Frankie, a selfish waste of space, is a truly terrible person. He trashes the home where his own child lives! Honestly, who is this person!? Thankfully this is near the end of the film. We see Zora getting on with life alone with her son. She appears lonely in scenes, although after her ordeal with Fast Frankie you would think she would be shouting with glee. But not in this movie, no she is lonely without her shiftless man. When Franklin knocks on Zora’s door out of the blue one day, she is surprised (as are we). We hear that Franklin has been sending money to her for their son (I guess $20 can go toward diapars). It’s been over a year (!) and Franklin wants to see his son. Later Zora and Franklin talk about things and we find out Franklin is taking an exam to become a licensed contractor. Zora is suitably impressed because this means Franklin now has his GED (and boy is he proud of himself). Zora can’t believe the changes in Franklin (hmmm…he received his diploma for high school equivalency and he isn’t drunk, what accomplishments) and looks at him with new eyes. Their visit over, Franklin walks down the stairs leaving Zora to further contemplate the new Franklin. A few seconds later she rushes to the stairs and calls him back up to the apartment. The final scene of the film finds Zora and Franklin sitting happily with their son playing their favorite game, Scrabble.

Once you see this final scene, you can’t help but be confused and disgusted. Although I think the acting and directing in this film are outstanding, the characters and story line are deeply disturbing. This film is based on a book written by Terry McMillan, an author that has made a career of writing about the desperate and curiously crazy behavior of middle-class black women in relationships. I am not a fan of Ms. McMillan, but I am a fan of Gina Prince-Bythewood who I can only assume took on this project as a challenge but could not quite pull off overseeing a film that makes black women appear incredibly self-deluding and obsessed with being in a relationship (any kind of relationship) even to their detriment. If you want to see a well acted and directed feature, this is for you. However, the movie itself is incredibly infuriating and disturbing in its portrayal of an adult woman being so completely blinded by the insecurity and fear of being alone. I would not recommend the film for content, except as a cautionary tale.

It is happening that when African Americans make films depicting themselves you get outstanding performances! Gone are the days of jive blackened white movies. Kudos to Wesley Snipes for a job well done.