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entertaining u newspaper: your weekly guide to entertainment
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Seen, Heard, Noted & Quoted
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by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
B Rated R 90 min
Chris Rock turned his comedic talent to writing and directing this Seven Year Itch styled comedy in his irreverent method. Playing Richard Cooper, Rock’s narration sounds like his stand up monologue on married life after seven years of kids, diapers, and then as the frequency of sex wanes and turns into celibacy. Yes, this theme is as old as Hollywood, but Rock’s slant on it is remarkably original.
Rock’s story is a remake of Eric Rohmer’s Chloe in the Afternoon, with Rohmer’s input into the final draft. Clearly, Rock’s casting of Kerry Washington as Nikki Tru, Cooper’s other woman temptation, was a savvy move. Washington lights up the screen with powerful sexual energy, turning Cooper into a sex-starved back door man. Gina Torres, as Cooper’s wife Brenda, was another casting coup. Rounding out the cast are Steve Buscemi, as Cooper’s philandering best friend, and veteran actor Edward Hermann as Cooper’s boss, Mr. Landis.
Above all, Rock’s script is continuously funny using the shock value of blue language to drive home his comedic hooks. Cooper is a successful investment banker of a billion dollar firm. He is a great father and husband, but the sexual passion has drained out of the marriage and Cooper is noticing other women on his commute and on the streets of the Big Apple. His attempts to rekindle the passion in his marriage are met with indifference by Brenda.
Breaking the romantic comedy model is Rock’s most important accomplishment. He drives a wooden stake through the heart of the typical romantic comedy pap by sticking to his comedic instincts, which makes this film uniquely appealing. In other words, Rock expresses in his narration how most married men feel after seven to ten years of marriage. In the Coopers’ case, even a marriage counselor is unable to get the couple to admit the crux of their problem is lack of sex.
When Cooper runs into his friend’s ex-mistress, Nikki (Washington), he is at a vulnerable time. She blatantly comes onto him and he weakly resists her overtures of sexual allure. Then she starts hanging around his office, inviting him to lunch and creating problems for him. Even his best friend, George, who regularly cheats on his wife, is offended by Cooper’s lack of discretion. Soon, Cooper is making excuses to his wife to meet Nikki. Gradually, he is sucked into her web of deceit and manipulation. Yes, Nikki is trouble.
Rock has built into his script many original funny scenes poking fun at rap and other aspects of the African-American culture. Ironically, Cooper’s life reeks of white bread suburban stereotypes, defining his success by joining the upper class American white establishment. All this is great fodder for Rock’s monologue and characterization of Cooper. There are many funny surprises in Rock’s comedic writing that make the film a Chris Rock trademark work. Simply put, Rock is true to his stand-up in writing this script.
As Cooper sinks deeper into Nikki’s quicksand romance, she talks him into taking a day trip to Washington D.C. to get her stuff out of her ex-boyfriend’s apartment. Against his better judgment, he goes with her. Predictably, the boyfriend comes home while their in his digs, and all hell breaks loose. He doesn’t get back to NYC until late at night. Now the excrement has definitely hit the fan as Brenda goes ballistic.
After his boss puts him on probation, Cooper swears off Nikki and doesn’t take her calls. George gives him some Viagra and he goes home to make love to his wife. This scene turns into a memorable comedic situation that causes a high level of laughter in the audience. Rock has invented some fresh and guffaw-producing situations that upgrade this romantic comedy. During Rock’s time with Nikki they never have sex. But Cooper’s high level of horniness and Nikki’s allure could get him in big trouble. She has already almost ruined his life.
Finally, Rock is about to lose his moral compass. Nikki’s temptation reaches critical mass and he is faced with choosing between his wife and Nikki. All this is predictable but very funny as Cooper attempts to get his mojo working.
All in all, this Chris Rock film highlights the comedian’s best. It’s good for plenty of laughs.
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