Deliver Us from Eva

Despite criticism, this manages to deliver a bit of comedy and drama.

Gabrielle Union gives a standout performance as the unbelievable Eva Dandridge who needs someone like Ray to knock her from her high horse but she's that way cos she's taken too many knocks from life. She is pure evil.

LL Cool J is a bit too neat or not too expressive maybe it's the role maybe not but he cuts a slightly bland figure.

Between the two of them,they manage to create a cracking chemistry that sizzles and makes all other characters pale by comparison.

This movie was touching and sincere for a Black movie(a trait which is played down in most Black flicks), there's been a recent departure from the gangsta and hood epics or drugs and money flicks.

Gabrielle Union was a delight to watch as ice queen Eva Dandridge(who's been jilted by a one time-fiancée), watching over her sisters with a ruthless passion and closely guarding her heart against intrusion. I kinda felt sympathy when I realised she'd given up on her life (when her parents died)to raise and care for her siblings, but the time came to take a backseat, she moved on and was woman enough to breach the gap she'd created between her siblings and their men.

LL Cool J was smooth as the player who took her on a bet. I admire the way he brought Eva down to earth, that's what women respect in a man. Knowing your own self worth, never kowtowing to them but meeting them at the right point and giving in only if need be. This may sound sexist but show me a sista or woman who'd respect her man if he yessed to her all the time. Not One!!

Gabrielle and J simply stole the movie, the supporting cast are just supporting(no insults meant), there was no one who came close to touching the two leads not because they were the stars but they infused strength and dynamism into their respective roles, they breathed life into them...

It's good to see Black movies with a forte like this; it portrays us as intelligent and coming of age, which we did centuries ago anyway!!

LEAD ME INTO THIS!!!!

10/10

The director, screenwriters, cinematographer and the two leads deserve the warmest praise for what they have done here. The primary defect in this film is in the performances of the six supporting "brothers" and sisters roles. Only in the scenes where they supported the main characters were these characters worth watching. This is probably partly due to weaknesses in the script and partly to the weaknesses of the actors. It was even obvious from some of the outtakes on the DVD, that the brothers were supposed to have had outright murder in mind, this was thankfully edited out of the print, so it's obvious that the script could not have been perfect as originally submitted.

The director/screenwriter Gary Hardwick has mentioned that he had to adapt the original script to African American culture and shows himself here to be very talented. What is obvious from the fine performances of LL Cool J and Gabrielle Union, is that he certainly could have paid more attention to the minor roles than he did.

Such an uneven movie! LL Cool J and Gabrielle Union deserve a 10. Cinematography, a 10. Script, an 8 - the story is basically good - as a romantic comedy, it works! Director gets an 7. The rest of the brothers and sisters get a 3, if not lower. I'm thinking if I could send Hardwick an email and ask why, he would answer, "The studio got what they paid for." What a shame. There are a lot of moments where this film hits the ball out of the park, and so it needs to be recommended.

If you like LL Cool J, then this movie is for you. It was pretty good and had some funny moments. Most of which come from the smart mouth comments made by no-nonsense Eva. There are also some good gossip scenes at the beauty shop. The story is nothing original; you know exactly where it is going. Of course, the player falls for the girl whose heart he is supposed to break. They just made a mistake at the end by having a really cheesy, knight comes riding in on a white horse, type of moment. It was too hollywood and didn't really go with the rest of the film.

FINAL VERDICT: There is no mystery with this movie. It is what it is. So, if you like mildly funny moments with a stereotypical romantic plot, then you may want to give this a try.

I enjoyed this movie. I'm a fan of LL Cool J (even though his acting isn't great) and was impressed with this unbelievable story of love (what woman alive would actually forgive him after what he did?) The acting was pushed at best but in the end, this movie still managed to crack a few laughs and entertain for the full hour and a half. A cute date movie....i guess.

7/10

Synopsis: Perfectionist and Health-Inspector from Hell Eva Dandridge (played by Gabrielle Union) is a constant nuisance for her in-laws and her sisters. To keep her from meddling in their lives,Eva is matched with a single guy named Ray(played by rapper/actor LL Cool J),a local playboy type who has been paid $5,000 to date her. The trouble really starts with Ray falls in love with her ending in hilarious and sometimes tragic results.

The problem with this movie is that it plays itself like a tired sitcom focusing mainly on the characters and their problems,but overall it is funny in parts especially with performances from some of the actors. Also,as for an "R" rated movie,this was one of the cleanest "R" rated films that I ever saw since most of the material deals with some sex-related dialogue and only one curse word used throughout the film. As for the lead actress here,this is finally the chance to see Gabrielle Union take charge here and it is a step up from her past material(her last good movie role was that of a cheerleader in Bring It On) as star status. You will see more of her as she progresses forward in better roles,but for this film this is just a start.