I know most will call Just Wright a romantic comedy, but it feels more like a fairy tale to me (in the good way and the bad way).
Queen Latifah stars as Leslie Wright - a physical therapist who happens to be the biggest New Jersey Nets fan in the history of basketball (obviously, she is not a fan of good basketball). Her godsister, Morgan (Paula Patton), also is a fan of the sport, or, to be more exact, a fan of the rich, single, good looking basketball players, their wealth and how she can leverage it all to be the next Kim Kardashian or Kimora Lee Simmons.
One night, Leslie happens to run into her favorite player, Scott McNight (Common), who turns out to be a nice guy with similar interests (and, he's kind of hunky). To pay back her kindness, Scott invites Leslie to a charity fundraiser. As he gets to know Leslie and Morgan, Scott needs their help to come back from a devastating knee injury to help the Nets win the championship (you know it's a movie when the Nets have a shot at the playoffs).
Will Leslie be able to give Scott the treatment his knee needs?
Will Scott realize he should be spending more time with Leslie than the gold digging Morgan?
Just Wright will put a smile on your face no matter how predictable, melodramatic and overwrought it is at times.
Sure, I like the theme brought forth by director Sanaa Hamri and writer Michael Elliott that people are more than they appear to be to the naked eye, which should be more important than how they look while naked. We like Leslie for her spunk, her respect for herself and the pureness of her heart. We like Scott for being more than a jock. He's a good guy with values, interests beyond dunking, and a decency about how to treat others.
Does that make Just Wright too old fashioned in a world where how sexy and desirable you are is more important than what you can accomplish with your brain and personality? Maybe a little old fashioned isn't so bad, if people would embrace it.
Unfortunately, Just Wright is a case of too much of a good thing, and some uneven acting performances. Common is very stiff and flat throughout most of the movie (at least he's more alive than the ESPN and TNT guys. You bring them in to add authenticity, but there's nothing real about how they are acting). It takes him ½ of the movie to relax and find some humanity inside the lines he's reading off the script pages. Once he does, the movie is much better, but it's a long, strange trip to get to that point.
Then, Latifah is trying much too hard to be cheerful. Sometimes, it feels organic and real. At other times, it feels forced as is she was a Scientologist recruiter.
Finally, Just Wright is totally predictable, but the kind of story you want to believe in. Yes, Queen Latifah could squash Common like a bug and doesn't fit the typical concept of sexy and beautiful in today's Hollywood and today's superficial society, but you want to believe someone with charm, good intentions and a heart of gold would be more interesting and attractive than any old skinny Minnie who looks good in high heels and a short skirt (it's the foundation behind my theory Anne Hathaway would fall madly in love with me if she only knew my charm and sense of humor, let me live the dream).
Just Wright is just OK enough.
2 ½ Waffles (Out of 4)
Just Wright is rated PG for some suggestive material and brief language.
One night, Leslie happens to run into her favorite player, Scott McNight (Common), who turns out to be a nice guy with similar interests (and, he's kind of hunky). To pay back her kindness, Scott invites Leslie to a charity fundraiser. As he gets to know Leslie and Morgan, Scott needs their help to come back from a devastating knee injury to help the Nets win the championship (you know it's a movie when the Nets have a shot at the playoffs).
Will Leslie be able to give Scott the treatment his knee needs?
Will Scott realize he should be spending more time with Leslie than the gold digging Morgan?
Just Wright will put a smile on your face no matter how predictable, melodramatic and overwrought it is at times.
Sure, I like the theme brought forth by director Sanaa Hamri and writer Michael Elliott that people are more than they appear to be to the naked eye, which should be more important than how they look while naked. We like Leslie for her spunk, her respect for herself and the pureness of her heart. We like Scott for being more than a jock. He's a good guy with values, interests beyond dunking, and a decency about how to treat others.
Does that make Just Wright too old fashioned in a world where how sexy and desirable you are is more important than what you can accomplish with your brain and personality? Maybe a little old fashioned isn't so bad, if people would embrace it.
Unfortunately, Just Wright is a case of too much of a good thing, and some uneven acting performances. Common is very stiff and flat throughout most of the movie (at least he's more alive than the ESPN and TNT guys. You bring them in to add authenticity, but there's nothing real about how they are acting). It takes him ½ of the movie to relax and find some humanity inside the lines he's reading off the script pages. Once he does, the movie is much better, but it's a long, strange trip to get to that point.
Then, Latifah is trying much too hard to be cheerful. Sometimes, it feels organic and real. At other times, it feels forced as is she was a Scientologist recruiter.
Finally, Just Wright is totally predictable, but the kind of story you want to believe in. Yes, Queen Latifah could squash Common like a bug and doesn't fit the typical concept of sexy and beautiful in today's Hollywood and today's superficial society, but you want to believe someone with charm, good intentions and a heart of gold would be more interesting and attractive than any old skinny Minnie who looks good in high heels and a short skirt (it's the foundation behind my theory Anne Hathaway would fall madly in love with me if she only knew my charm and sense of humor, let me live the dream).
Just Wright is just OK enough.
2 ½ Waffles (Out of 4)
Just Wright is rated PG for some suggestive material and brief language.
