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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 3829
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 12:15 pm: | 
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Bottom Line: Chris Rock does something entirely unexpected. He isn't funny.
By Kirk Honeycutt
Mar 7, 2007
In "I Think I Love My Wife," Chris Rock does something entirely unexpected. He isn't funny.
No doubt Rock -- who directed, co-wrote, co-produced and stars in the comedy -- is trying to stretch. He is not thoroughly convincing as a buppie, married with children, but you would feel much better about the role if his mischievous sense of humor had come along. When Edward Herrmann has the most amusing line, something is seriously wrong.
Playing a henpecked, straightforward investment banker unable to make any move whatsoever with a gorgeous and willing dream girl is not what Chris Rock's fan base will expect. Again, if he were funny, that might not matter. Because he is not, boxoffice for this Fox Searchlight release might suffer.
Rock insists that his film is based on the last film of Eric Rohmer's Six Moral Tales, "Chloe in the Afternoon," a French New Wave film made 35 years ago. Actually all he borrows is the premise: A happily married, bourgeois businessman daydreams about other women but has no intention of following through on any of these afternoon delights. Then an old friend, a former girlfriend of a buddy from the past, drops by his office with seduction on her mind.
There are a couple of odds things even about how the premise develops in this movie, however. For one, if Rock's Richard Cooper is as happily married as he says he is, why does wife Brenda (Gina Torres) refuse to have sex with him, and why is the couple in therapy? Also, what kind of "old friend" is Kerry Washington's Nikki? When Richard was sowing his wild oats as a young man in his 20s, Nikki would have been in junior high.
But never mind the details; let's go looking for laughs.
After re-entering his life, Nikki appears at Richard's office at all hours in outfits more appropriate for nightclubbing. Before you know it, he goes AWOL on clients and associates as Nikki leads him around town by his, um, nose. But they remain just friends. So far, all situation no comedy.
One night, Nikki persuades Richard to slip away from home for a rendezvous at a nightclub. She never turns up, and he gets stoned with a couple of salesgirls. No yucks here.
Another time, Nikki forces Richard to accompany her on a shuttle flight to D.C. to sneak her things out of the apartment of a soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend. The boyfriend arrives home unexpectedly, smacks Richard around, the police arrive, and shots are fired. No laughs here. Worse, there are no repercussions: Richard and Nikki slip out the door without the police noticing they fled the scene.
The sole dramatic tension in the story stems from the will-they-or-won't-they question that hovers over the Richard-Nikki relationship. Few are going to care as character motivation is seriously lacking in a script Rock wrote with Louis C.K.
Why don't the married couple have sex? Brenda seems to love her man, and she certainly fights to keep him. Why after all these years does Nikki turn up? She seems to have nothing more on her mind than playing him for all he's worth. For that matter, why does Richard seem terrified of all women, even his secretary?
The script could have developed genuine inner conflict in its hero -- a family man devoted to his young children but with a frigid wife and possibly a hot mistress -- but never does. All of which leaves the three main actors playing very tentative characters. There is clarity with two of Rock's office comrades: Steve Buscemi as a womanizing married man and Herrmann as a stuffy boss. But these fine character actors are wasted on such lightweight roles.
As a director, Rock has little visual flair, so the film looks clumsy and stilted. Solid location work in and around New York does give designer Sharon Lomofsky something to work with while Suzanne McCabe has fun with all the revealing and stylish costumes for Washington.
I THINK I LOVE MY WIFE
Fox Searchlight
Fox Searchlight and UTV Motion Pictures present a Zahrlo production
Credits: Director: Chris Rock; Screenwriters: Chris Rock, Louis C.K.; Based on a film by: Eric Rohmer; Producers: Chris Rock, Lisa Stewart; Executive producers: Adam Brightman, Ronnie Screwvala; Director of photography: William Rexer II; Production designer: Sharon Lomofsky; Music: Marcus Miller; Co-producer: Zarina Screwvala; Costume designer: Suzanne McCabe; Editor: Wendy Greene Bricmont. Cast: Richard: Chris Rock; Nikki: Kerry Washington; Brenda: Gina Torres; George: Steve Buscemi; Mr. Landis: Edward Herrmann; Mary: Welker White.
MPAA rating R, running time 94 minutes.
http://tinyurl.com/3akn9n
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Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 3854
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 12:22 pm: |
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Rock always has been weak to me. He should have stayed on that show and got some more seasoning.
He is probably making more money doing these movies, but how long if they keep bombing. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 7672
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 12:45 pm: |
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Beware of comedians who want to be directors. Or directors who want to be comedians. Show biz folk always want to rise to their level of incompetence. |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 8670
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 12:58 pm: |
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Rock has never been I suspect never will be a good, authentic, comedic actor. There's almost nothing REAL about what he does in a movie. You ALWAYS get the sense he's laboring through some long, drawout and badly plotted stand-up routine. |
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 3862
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 01:03 pm: |
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Beware of comedians who want to be directors. Or directors who want to be comedians. Show biz folk always want to rise to their level of incompetence.
(It's a rare bird who can do both at the same time--when Spike did that producer/writer/star thang he messed up some folks minds. |
Libralind2
Veteran Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 729
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 01:41 pm: |
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The sound bites sure sound funny to me..
LiLi |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 8672
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 02:05 pm: |
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Chris,
Spike actually went to FILM school. Nikkas can't be going from doing chittlin' circuit stand-up one year to directing major motion pictures the next.
That sh*t scare Black foks. |
Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1390
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 05:02 pm: |
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HIS VOICE IS JUST SO DAMN ANNOYING!! NOT TO MENTION HE LOOKS LIKE A "GROUNGHOG"!! |
Doberman23
Veteran Poster
Username: Doberman23
Post Number: 859
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 05:14 pm: |
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what ever he did an excellent job as pookie from new jack city! |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 8678
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 05:28 pm: |
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Dobe,
And it REMAINS his highwater mark as an actor. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 7678
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 06:30 pm: |
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Chris looks a whole lot better now that his face has filled out and he got his teefus fixed. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 561
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 06:45 pm: |
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ABM, Doberman23,
Chris shining moment in film was that scene with Isaac Hayes in "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka". Perhaps the funniest, nost memorable scene in the movie scene.
SS, I saw Chris and his wife a few years back in a neighborhood supermarket (how many couples, especially rich ones go shopping together). Anyhoo, he is an average looking guy. The grill job, as Cynique points out, make a big difference. Groundhog, might be a tad bit harsh (smile). |
Lil_ze
Veteran Poster
Username: Lil_ze
Post Number: 872
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 07:02 pm: |
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YES, the scene with chris rock in "im gonna get you sucka", might be one of the funniest things ive seen.
the first time i saw it, i was in tears and pain from laughing so dam hard.
as far as chris rock goes, i never really thought he was that funny.
his first "HBO" comedy stand-up show was good, i thought the second one sucked big time.
i just don't think chris rock has the "presence" to be a leading man.
in a comedy or whatever.
most of the comedieans on "BET comic view", are way funnier than chris rock. |
Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1394
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 09:17 pm: |
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what ever he did an excellent job as pookie from new jack city!
The fact that you would know the name and character from some stupid, low-class, moderately successful Black movie already shows me your I.Q level DOBERBYTCH!!!! |
Doberman23
Veteran Poster
Username: Doberman23
Post Number: 864
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2007 - 09:52 pm: |
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awwwwww did you stub your crab infested vagina again sausageswallower? is that your big ol' comeback for wittle ol' me? go get your shinebox double-s, you are nothing but my punching fag... i mean bag.
by the way, i guess everyone has a low i.q on here because everyone reading this remembers chris rock as pookie from new jack city. including your beotch ass. |
Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1397
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 12:06 am: |
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No but yo bytch ass, White, onion-smelling pussy daddy did!!!!
And don't steal my line. You know you my bytch just like yo transvestite daddy who likes to pimped out by his Rosie O'Donnell looking wife.
ALSO, DOBERBYTCH I HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO THAN SIT AROUND AND GIVE MYSELF STUPID GHETTO HIGHSCHOOL NAMES LIKE DOBERBYTCH, AND LIL_BYTCH AND WATCH STUPID ASS, LOW-RATED BLACK MOVIES THAT ONLY SOMEONE WITH A 7TH GRADE EDUCATION WOULD FIND ENTERTAINING!!!
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Lil_ze
Veteran Poster
Username: Lil_ze
Post Number: 881
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 01:36 am: |
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a guy with the screen-name "serenasailor" talking about other peoples screen-names?
serenasailor, you talk real tough, but you know dam well, in "real life" you are a soft ass b*tch.
if i saw you in person, id smack the sh*t out of you, and then listen to you try to "make nice".
serenasailor, do you even like women sexually?
i seriously doubt it.
by the way-
get off my d*ck!
stop thinking about me every two minutes.
you are a BIG time fag!!!!!!!!!!! |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1996
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 02:11 am: |
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"......and he got his teefus fixed."
Yeah, that made a big difference. In fact, I finally got around to seeing "Dream Girls" tonight. Not really my kind of movie but I did notice that bro Eddie had his teeth capped. It made a difference also. Hopefully it's permanent. I don't follow nor am I not into celebrities, rappers and entertainers, but I must say, Jennifer Hudson can sing!!! I was very impressed with her voice. She's a very "physical" singer like Chaka Khan or Patti Label. I like that very much.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 8680
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 07:41 am: |
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Troy,
Perhaps you're right. I don't remember (or like) enuff about 'Sucka to recall much of anything about it, including Rock's performance. |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 3848
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 10:36 am: |
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Chris Rock Finds New Direction in Film
By JAKE COYLE
March 8, 2007
NEW YORK -- In Chris Rock's new film, he plays a mustachioed, bespectacled banker. He's often funny, but just as often serious and self-examining. It's a realistic film adapted from the 1972 French classic "Chloe in the Afternoon."
In short, it's a long way from "Pootie Tang."
"I Think I Love My Wife," which opens in theaters March 16, is Rock's second time directing. The first: 2003's "Head of State," a farce in which an alderman suddenly becomes a presidential candidate.
"If I did `Head of State' tomorrow, it would be more like `All the President's Men,'" says Rock. "It would be that tone, with jokes."
Finding the right tone in movies has been challenging for the 42-year-old Rock. Many of his films -- from the underrated "Pootie Tang" to the Farrelly brother's "Osmosis Jones" -- have been absurdist.
"I'm in ANOTHER place as far as films are concerned," Rock, in his trademark emphasis, says of the aesthetic shift. "I wish I had gotten here awhile back."
Rock's brilliant standup act -- for which he's won Emmys -- has always been grounded firmly in reality. "I Think I Love My Wife" draws from his standup material, which has often dealt with relationships and a reluctant acceptance of married life.
"Those are the choices in life: You can be married and bored or single and lonely," Rock said in his 2004 HBO special "Never Scared." "Ain't no happiness nowhere."
In "I Think I Love My Wife," Rock plays a married man with children whose fidelity is tested when an attractive old acquaintance begins dropping by his office (Kerry Washington). There are definite gags (including a heavily advertised one involving Viagra), but much of the basic plot is taken from Eric Rohmer's movie -- one of his six moral tales.
"I know it sounds silly. People are like, `Chris Rock and Eric Rohmer?' But if you study his movies and then you study my standup, they kind of go together," says Rock. "We immediately said (`Chloe in the Afternoon') was like a great house with no furniture -- no funny furniture, only serious furniture."
Rock co-wrote the script with his friend and frequent collaborator, comedian Louis C.K., who has honed an act known for its ruthless honesty about married life. Louis C.K. believes this is a new direction for Rock.
"I do think there are people that will go, `Why is Chris Rock doing that?'" he says. "But it's actually a lot closer to who he is as a person and as an artist than any other film he's made before. People who are always expecting big (Adam) Sandler-like comedies out him -- they're barking up the wrong tree. That's not true to his voice."
Rock has long spoken of his deep admiration for another Brooklyn standup turned filmmaker: Woody Allen. It's not hard to see many parallels between a typical Woody Allen movie and "I Think I Love My Wife," a romantic comedy set in New York.
Rock used Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters" as a reference, but acknowledges his film is "so not on his level." Of his identification with Allen, Rock says: "I'm a nerd. I'm a little guy. ... the last guy you'd expect in a romantic movie."
Of course, Hollywood is often unreceptive to change. Rock says the film was "definitely hard to get made" and that while most of his movie ideas sell before a script has been finished, he says "nobody jumped" at this idea.
He maneuvered the complications of international film rights to get approval for the adaptation, and wrote the script on spec without a deal in place. Once the screenplay was completed, studios were still unconvinced.
Rock summarizes their reaction: "You? Grown-up? Got anything where you're a kid?"
"Guys play characters that won't grow up and something catastrophic happens and they have to grow up to save the day -- that's pretty much what today's comedy is about," says Rock. "Nobody wants to make movies about grown-ups."
In the end, Fox Searchlight picked up "I Think I Love My Wife" (made for about $11 million) for distribution. That Rock's film landed at a boutique division specializing in independent movies is a barometer of his new direction.
"It's just part of the business. Whatever you do, if it's successful, you can do THAT again," says the actor-comedian. "Hopefully people will say, `Oh, this is what he should have been doing all along.' Hopefully."
Rock lives in Brooklyn -- not far away from his childhood home of Bedford-Stuyvesant -- with his two young children and wife (Malaak Compton) of 10 years.
How did she feel about a movie based on a bored husband?
"She was a little scared at first, but when she realized it was a remake, she was cool with it. It made it less personal," says Rock, who assures he's "very happy" in his family life.
Rock, who hosted the Oscars two years ago, has also brought family life to the small screen with his acclaimed TV series "Everybody Hates Chris," which is based on his childhood.
The "Saturday Night Live" alumnus has played several dramatic supporting roles in the past ("Nurse Betty," "New Jack City"), but it's clear Rock believes "I Think I Love My Wife" opens a new chapter for him.
"I don't see myself writing any other movies that aren't in this kind of tone, this real tone," he says. "You live and you learn. You grow."
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/news/wire/sns-ap-film-chris-rock,0,7573898. story
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