Think Like a Man (2012)
Certified: 14
Duration: 122 minutes
Directed by: Tim Story
Starring: Jerry Ferrara, Gabrielle Union, Taraji P. Henson, Romany Malco, Megan Good, Terrence J, Regina Hall, Jennifer Lewis, Michael Ealy, Steve Harvey
KRS release
Think Like a Man is inspired from a self-help book very much in the same manner as He’s Not That Into You (2009) and What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2012).
However, the book in question here takes on a starring role because the cast members continuously refer to it as they try to get the upper hand in the complicated rituals of the dating world.
Director Tim Story presents a romantic comedy that rises a few notches above its peers. With a multitude of characters and storylines, the film always seems to have something useful to say about relationships, even though this is all disguised under the humour.
Set in Los Angeles, Think Like a Man features four friends swimming in the perilous waters of the dating scene.
For the last nine years, Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) has been in a relationship with real estate agent Kirsten (Gabrielle Union). The two live in a bachelor-style pad and the “Will you marry me” question has been deftly avoided.
Zeke (Romany Malco) has a new girlfriend, Mya (Megan Good), with whom he just wants to have sex but she is looking for commitment.
Michael (Terrence J) is now dating single mother Candace (Regina Hall) but his mother Loretta (Jennifer Lewis) has such a hold on him that it inevitably creates problems.
Dominic (Michael Ealy) wants to be a chef and would like to date Lauren (Taraji P. Henson), a successful career woman. So he ends up lying about himself to her.
When the girls read a self-help book by Steve Harvey (who plays himself), they turn their own lives around and those of their men.
Kirsten redecorates her and Jeremy’s apartment; Zeke finds himself on probation while Michael has to place Candace first or else face some undesirable consequences.
Meanwhile, Lauren pushes Dominic to get the dream restaurant he wanted. When the boys realise that the girls have been reading the self-help book, they read it too – and turn the tables on the girls.
The production has avoided filling the film with Hollywood’s A-list and then saddling them with underdeveloped or limited roles. The cast are familiar, handsome but not so overtly beautiful as to seem unreal.
Story, the director who catapulted to fame with the small-budget comedy Barbershop, displays tight control over the film and its storylines. He depends on his cast to propel the film forward, providing them with the right environment to develop some good humour.