Charming the Hearts of Men

The title makes it sound like a romantic comedy, but it is much more than that. It tells how important history is made. I think the acting is good in this film.

Oh, how this could have been a grander film, on the level of The Help. But it isn't. That doesn't mean it's not without its charms. Lordy, does Grammar soar here in what he does like few others can -- character work with both whimsy and gravitas.

I am a product of the 60s South. Notice I did not say "proud" product. But I am still interested in well-told tales of the 60s South, and some come close. The Help came close. And this one comes even closer.

Hollywood has been flogging tales of the South since the first feature silent films. All kinds of stories. This one is a story about rights, but not merely race, but of sex. It tells that story in the lazy, slow way that the rural South did things. It's not punchy, it's not edgy, it's not delightfully written. It's langorously written. That makes for a bit duller entertainment, but it can also make for something that touches hearts.

This touches hearts, if you let it. It's not unforgettable, but it's also not disposable. It's in the middle.

Its faults are that it dances around themes a bit too much, tries to touch too many bases, and its resolution is a bit too saccharine, and a lot too easy. That said, it makes you feel good. And I bet that's what it was aiming for.

I am a huge fan of Kelsey Grammer, and watched it for that reason. Then the story about how a first time writer/director, and the owner of the OK Cafe (which is very, very good in Atlanta) was intriguing. The making of it is far more interesting than the film however.

I have a hard time with films that pretend to be historical, but don't actually use the factual history to tell the story, like this one. Additionally, it is slow, dry in many spots, an 'off' view of how black folks operate. Its an updated new of Gone with the Wind, that should have been left alone. It is in some ways, just as insulting, though you can tell it is trying very hard not to be, and yet, still . . .

There is so much emotional confusion in the main character for too long, and her clarity has no hard defining moments but is as namely pam-by as she is. The script is very weak, though the acting is strong. The Director has a 'type' in casting black women, so two key characters look too much alike, when in fact black people come in a range of appearances. The conflict between the people of all colors, within their own race and class is incredibly superficial and shallow, so it loses any power it might have had if handled better. The lack of understanding about the power of the script sinks this film into humdrum land, and just makes the view wait for the end.

The Writer/Director gets an A for effort, and perhaps her next film will be better, if she hires a real scriptwriter. Her directing was passable though.

This is missing an open goal. Movies on racism in the south aren't a hard begining. But this movie takes that basic premise and slowly goes backwards with a slow boring story. Thankfully the civil rights movement didn't follow the same trajectory . A terrible waste of time and talent.

...between Kelsey Grammer and Anna Friel. But the acting overall is strong. Some of the supporting cast are particularly interesting and would have liked to have more on screen time. These characters would probably work well in a series or sequel.

Always nice to see Sean Astin pop up in a movie. He and his counterpart in the pawn shop would make a hilarious duo in a longer series. Also the chemistry between the driver and the maid is great. Sassy and sweet.