Think Like A Man: Movie Review

May 7, 2012 by Phathu

The last time I recommended something, it was Inkaba – which has turned out to be bad acne on screen. I am on a path of credibility redemption, and hopefully this review will work. I went and watched the movie, loved it so much – I had to write about it.

Think Like A Man, is based on Steve Harvey’s bestselling book, Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man. I have never read the book, and won’t, but the movie seems to capture the essence of what the book is supposedly about – women finding men and keeping ‘em!

The movie is about four women that are at various, unsatisfactory stages of relationships with men, who use Steve Harvey’s book to get the kind of relationships they want from their men. This results in funny and identifiable events that are familiar to everyone who has ever dated.

The twist in the movie is when the men decide to use the book against their women! It’s a typical Hollywood boy meet girl comedy – you know how it ends. But it is the journey in the story that is warm and sweet and a whole lot funnier. The story in Think Like A Man is a breath of fresh air, after years of living under the dictatorship of Tyler Perry’s preachy movies.

The performances in Think Like A Man from the largely fresh cast is solid. Michael Early, the guy who threw his kids out of the window in For Coloured Girls, and Taraji P. Henson are probably the most familiar faces, together with Megan Good, they bring familiarity to the movie. Gabrielle Union has to be the biggest miscast. A movie with mostly underrated actors needed a big Hollywood face so studio executives can be comfortable – hence she is in the movie.

The role seems beneath an actress of her calibre. The white male characters also feel forced, but unless you’re Madea, a movie with an all-black cast is likely to flop come opening night. Remember The Preacher’s Wife? There also is huge cameo of stars from Chris Brown, Kelly Rowland, Wendy Williams, Sheri Sheppard, Steve Harvey, Keri Hilson and a grown up Morris Chestnut. At some point I thought it was a BET get together!

The movie’s directing is smooth, like an R&B music video, which is largely influenced by the director Tim Storey’s background as a music video director. Tim is able to capture that sultry and seductive world of African Americans that we all swoon over. The women look glossy in every shot and there is enough dosage of shirtless men, that will make Khulubuse explode with envy. But some scenes feel cheesy, especially the sex scenes.

Think Like A Man ended Hunger Games’ four week lead at the box office in the states, grossing over 30 million dollars on opening weekend, for a movie that had a budget of 12 million. It stayed in the position for two weeks, and then The Avengers happened. MXM!

Think Like A Man doesn’t give answers to why so many beautiful, well-mannered black women are still single out there. Don’t watch it if you are looking for answers why your relationships don’t work. It is a satire that reflects on the struggles of relationships and make fun of it. This is a perfect movie for a girls’ night out, or couples and everyone that loves a good movie that doesn’t require intense emotion.

I give it four stars! Go see it and laugh out loud.

For those who saw it – what are your thoughts?

By Phathu Makwarela

@PhathuMakwarela

Me and mi girl went to check it out on Friday after work. We arrived e Musgrave the 17:20 movie was sold out. We decided 2 wait for the 8:00 one when we bought them ticket all the good seats were taken and since we were 4 we couldn’t find a row tht was gonna accommodate all of us eish so we had to seat separately.

We went in aybo abantu bayajola eThekwini yeses!! Abantu bahamba namadoda abo I actually felt out of place yazi ngathi nje we doing a wrong thing ngokuhamba sodwa ayi ngyabonga mina. The movie is great ke kodwa wouldn’t mind watching it again, was laughing so hard yaze yayophela. Well done to the producers job well done

vumaaa on Mon, 7th May 2012 9:12 am

Its a great movie. Very funny.

sxylin on Mon, 7th May 2012 9:13 am

Loved the movie; looooooooooooool Megan Goode just convinced me to cut my hair again God Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaym

busidiko on Mon, 7th May 2012 9:36 am

Loved it! Went to see it with my friend. Going again this weekend with my Bf. Too good. LOL!!!

Fiat500 on Mon, 7th May 2012 9:40 am

I went on Saturday afternoon, casually strolled in and asked for a ticket – 2:30 show – but the movie was sold out, even the 5:30 one, I was told. Fortunately when we searched further I managed to get one for the 5pm show. Yay! I though, untill i went in… Lawd do people have to bring ghetto to the movies vele!! The clapping.. The singing along.. the noise!! It was so irritating tlheng. As a result I never really got to enjoy the movie… Guess I’ll have to wait for the dvd…

Nerlee on Mon, 7th May 2012 10:14 am

Kwaaaaa@ Fiat, I went yesterday with my Love, ow what a funny movie, definitely gonna buy the dvd once its out!

Rethabile on Mon, 7th May 2012 11:38 am

Hope to see it soon!!

DontDoIt on Mon, 7th May 2012 12:59 pm

Michael Ealy and Taraji P. Henson’s on-screen chemistry blew me away!!! They had the best scenes in the movie! Kevin Hart also gave an outstanding performance also. Overall I give the movie 3 stars

soul sista on Mon, 7th May 2012 1:39 pm

On my “To Watch List”

zoesaldanah on Mon, 7th May 2012 9:10 pm

Geez I need to go, alone since I’m a loner these days…but from wat I hear its a gud movie so am sure I’ll enjoy. Someone told me to take a box of tissues with me coz they know my tears are ever ready..

Lela on Tue, 8th May 2012 10:19 am

Oh gosh let me call Northgate SterK to see if i can get a booking for tonight for me and my pudding.

Pana on Tue, 8th May 2012 12:32 pm

i’m only gonna watch it bcoz of the brothers

Nalizo on Tue, 8th May 2012 1:32 pm

Sounds interesting….can’t wait to watch it.

SilentBloggar on Tue, 8th May 2012 5:51 pm

Nice movie, very funny…..Awuuuuuuuuuuu so much eye candy.

Balloon on Tue, 8th May 2012 7:36 pm

Michael Ealy #LoveStruck#… I enjoyed the movie. Some parts reminded me of my boo and I:-P

promisez on Wed, 9th May 2012 9:22 am

I loovveeedddd the movie, im also getting myself a dvd to keep it forever more! Micheal and Taraj! omy! *signs John Legend’s Tonight*

muntuza on Wed, 9th May 2012 11:32 am

So FOMO hit me hard after reading this piece neh.. Nice review BTW Phathu… and yesterday I braved the Tuesday half-price tickets stampede at Sterland and went to watch the movie. WOW! WOW! WOW!!! Soooooo funny, oh so eye-candy filled, so warmth filling. I loved it! Yazi Tyler almost killed my love for black romcoms with his lame ass movies, but Think Like A Man performed a successful resuscitation! Ladies and gents, GO WATCH THIS MOVIE!!

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Think Like A Man: Movie Review

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