Commentary on I Think I Love My Wife
This weekend my husband and I did something that we don't normally do. We went out. And not to the grocery store - we went OUT. To the MOVIES. (gasp.)
As Brad is a fan and student of African American culture, and because Chris Rock is so damn funny, we went to see "I Think I Love My Wife." After we snuck in ShopRite bought snacks (Twizzlers were on sale!) and bought our tickets (for roughly the same amount as my husband and I have both spent on haircuts in the last three years), we sat down to enjoy the commercials, I mean, movie.
Fast forward two hours and Brad and I our doing our delicate dance of post-movie opinion exchange. "What did you think about the movie?" my cinephile husband asked me. My stomach always churns when he asks me this question - we don't often agree. (Let's just say "Chronicles of Narnia" did not win him over.) Having watched a lot of movies in my day, but never really having studied film... or writing... or directing... or photography, the only thing I know about movies is how I feel when the credits start to roll. Did the film seem to drag? Did it make me laugh? Could I relate to any of the characters, or situations? Did I feel like they completed the point of the movie, or left it hanging? Would I watch it again? How was the acting? Usually I know that I've like the move if, when the credits do roll, I wish they hadn't - because I was just that into it.
With this particular movie - Bradley really enjoyed it. I cannot say for certain if this was because it the two lead actresses, Kerri Washington and Gina Torres, (the beautiful actress who played Zoe in "Serenity") were extraordinarily talented or extraordinarily beautiful. His critique: He told me that every person knows a woman like Nikki, a manipulative, seductive woman. And, being the good, kind husband that he is, also noted that he finds those women completely annoying. He also thought that Chris Rock really presented the "every man" very realistically. So, he really enjoyed the movie.
I had two main complaints: length and the portrayal of women. The movie dragged, so much so, that I think I looked at my cell phone during the movie to check the time. They could have done a lot more editing and still gotten the fantasy of Nikki to the same level. I didn't appreciate that the only ways Rock portrays women is either 1) an irresponsible, manipulative sexpot, or 2) an uptight, righteous, controlling wife. I'm not saying here that many other popular movies regard women in any higher fashion; I suppose if you're going to see a Chris Rock movie, you have to expect Chris Rock humor, so I'll give it leeway on that. I guess as a women, i just felt ashamed that this is how so many people see us - as manipulative creatures. When, really, we just have to deal with such idiotic, power hungry, ego-centric men, sometimes we have to be manipulative and bitchy to stand up for ourselves.
However, I will say, that the ending was good, Richard realized that the reality of fantasy is not always as good or as satisfying as the fantasy, itself. PLUS, I guess Rock is a fan of good TV, because he had the sense to cast two actors from the best crime show ever, HBO's The Wire: Michael K. Williams, as Nikki's crazed boyfriend, (his scene lasts around 15 seconds, maybe, and it was incredible) and Wendall Pierce, as Nikki's successful fiance.
All in all it was money well spent (my husband was paying..tee hee). I'd give the movie a B. While the actors won't win any awards, it was entertaining, mostly true to life, and funny. It IS an interesting look at fidelity and commitment. Rent "Head of State" if you want to see a movie with more laughs per minute than "Wife" with less marital conflict, but the same crazy Rock humor. Only go to see this with your unfaithful partner if you have a good sense of humor.
