Not Easily Broken

While the film was engaging on many levels, I kept wondering what was not sitting right with me. The more I thought about it, I realized that the male lead in this film was painted as a long-suffering, perfect mate while his wife was the nagging, negligent, career driven failure. The turning point in the film and their marriage was when the female lead approached her husband and apologized for the failures in their marriage. While she had a lot to be sorry for, I've never seen such a one sided marriage in real life. Really, couldn't there be ONE thing the husband could be working on in the marriage? It's VERY unrealistic for such perfection in a human being. I say all this to say that this is what happens when a "female" driven drama (b/c that's the audience this film is hoping will show up) is produced, written, directed, shot and edited by men. Not that men couldn't not do a good job, but this is clearly an example where there was no female input to add balance to the story. On so many levels, it's very unrealistic if not just downright disturbing.

It's discouraging to see people down-rate any movie which has a Christian side to it. There are plenty of movies without this aspect; I don't see why the few with positive messages should bother anyone. Since we do have a spiritual component to our lives, I'm glad when I can have a movie such as this for our weekly "family night." This movie portrayed real life situations and made for great conversation afterward.

I really enjoyed these actors and want to find their other works. I thought the emotions shown in the many heavy situations were very well done.

The stories themselves were very good, and as I said, pertinent to real life. I have my own family, and have seen these struggles in our own families and in our friends'.

I've never read any books by T.D. Jakes, but after seeing this, I'll go look for some of his books.

It Has Meaning This Movie.

T.D. Jakes previous novel Women Thou Art Loosed was adapted into an impressive film, five years and his follow up film Not Easily Broken is just as good. Directed by the underrated Bill Duke whose previous work includes Hoodlum and Deep Cover, Not Easily Broken tells the story of a couple (Morris Chestnut & Taraji P. Henson) whose marriage is crisis.After a car accident, injurers Henson's character things only get worse and their marriage but more importantly their faith is tested. I watched the film with my wife. It was a treat to discuss the film with her on the way out of the theater to our car. And during the ride home we came to understand a little more about each other. The acting considering the religious material is first rate, Morris Chestnut displays the same leading man charm he always does and fresh off her Oscar Worthy turn in Benjamin Button, Henson does wonders. Jenifer Lewis steals every scenes he's in as the mother-in-law, and Kevin Hart provides tons of comic relief as a life long friend to Chestnut' s character. Not Easily Brokenis the kind of film that most critics will tear apart. It could be there lack of familiarity for most critics when it comes to the gospel genre.Take for example the similar marriage in crisis themed film Revolutionary Road which is currently in release and stars Kate Winslet& Leonardo Dicarpo. Winslet just won a Golden Globe for her role in Road, while critics roasted Henson's performance in Not Easily Broken.While Winslet's character differs slightly from Henson's in Not Easily Broken both give performances that any women single or married can relate to. While Not Easily Broken does have an overlapping religious theme, anyone no matter what your religious beliefs willing to give this film a chance will be pleasantly surprised.

Actors: Morris Chestnut, Taraji P. Henson, Maeve Quinlan, Kevin Hart, Wood Harris, Jenifer Lewis.

danceability-1, Amsterdam Holland

People should judge this movie on it's message and not their own personal beliefs. The message of the story was to remain faithful in a marriage, to keep God central in it, to be strong enough to say you were wrong and strong enough to walk away from those who give wrong counsel regardless of who they are. It doesn't mean you don't love the person. It also shows how to get proper counsel or at least to be strong enough to seek it out.

As for violence etc. what do people think the real world is like ? People do not live wrapped in cotton wool, not exposed to the hardships and wrongs in this world. If people are not exposed to that which is bad and wrong, how then can they recognise something right and good? I am proud to call myself a Christian however I live in the real world and know it's not all sanitised. Some people should travel outside their own little world. I have been exposed to the other side but I still know and love my maker! That stuff will not make someone go bad.

this movie shows real commitment and love. Highly recommended! Hope you enjoy it! Sorry for the rant but some reviews were not reviews they were used as an opportunity to preach. Enjoy the movie and judge for yourself! It's made to appeal to all and in a way the viewer does not feel preached to. Cheers

This movie was terrific! Great plot, subplot, writing and acting. Worth the money and would see again. Gender nor race matters when viewing this movie, everyone can relate to the family relationships, friendships, etc. The religious aspect keeps being mentioned when describing this movie but it wasn't over the top or preachy, just real. This movie is great for girls night out, date night or family viewing. The messages can touch anyone. We laughed, cried, said I know that's right, you name it, we experienced the emotion. There aren't very many movies anymore that make you laugh, cry, relate to the people around you and keep you discussing it hours later but "Not Easily Broken" does all of this and more. Deserves much more attention than it will probably receive.