Entre Tapas e Beijos

A classic, truly. A tremendous addition to the pantheon of formative black film.

A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996) is a movie I recently rewatched for the first time in a long time on Tubi. The storyline for this picture involves a club promoter in the neighborhood he grew up in who is a womanizer with his best friend. He has specific rules for his womanizing ways. One crazy summer his childhood crush returns home and he meets the woman of his dreams who is independent, rich, smart and successful. He will need to make some tough decisions on both ladies and will likely break every rule along the way.

This movie is directed by and stars Martin Lawrence in his directorial debut and also stars Lynn Whitfield (Eve's Bayou), Regina King (Poetic Justice), Malinda Williams (Soul Food), Della Reese (Harlem Nights) and Bobby Brown (Ghostbusters II).

This was perfectly written, directed and executed by Martin Lawrence. His mannerisms, facial expressions and body language made this work as much as the comedic content. The dialogue is very good with some subtle content to go with Martin's standard shenanigans. Bobby Brown being in this is hilarious and Reese was the perfect mother characters. King and Whitfield also deliver strong performances. The soundtrack and settings were great and the ending was perfect.

Overall this isn't a perfect movie but it is a very entertaining and a worthwhile watch. I would score this a solid 7/10 and strongly recommend it.

Who EVER thought MARTIN should play this role was OUT OF IT! Martin isn't a bad actor but he IS NOT EYE CANDY AT ALL! The movie lacked for me because of it! I can't see Martin as a player AT ALL. He got a 16yr old body with a 28 yr old face. Who casted him?! The chicken king would've been a better choice than him geez! The movie lost major points for that!

A Thin Line Between Love And Hate is a very solid movie production job from Martin Lawrence. The film provides a nice mix of drama and comedy. The story line revolves around Darnell (Martin Lawrence) Brandi (Lynn Whitfield) and Mia (Regina King). Darnell is a ladies man who thinks he says all the right things to the ladies. He runs across Brandi and makes a bet with his buddy Tee (Bobby Brown) that he would have sex with her once he gets to know her. Eventually he gets his chance and hits paydirt with Brandi sexually. Brandi was hurt before by her cheating husband and holds brutal grudges for "womanizing" men (She killed her ex husband after finding him in bed with another women) As her relationship with Darnell develops she warns him that she is not the type of woman to be hurt and taken advantage of. The Producer does a good job of bringing along Darnel's rekindling relationship with ex flame Mia. Somehow you feel that Darnel and Mia's future relationship holds promise despite Darnel's flirtatious ways. Some of the things that happen to Darnel because of his womanizing ways you feel are justified but Brandi is out for serious revenge. Brandi inflicts injury to herself and convinces police that Darnel is the perpetrator, she leaves his Truck on bricks outside of a police station, she stops at nothing. Darnel calls off his relationship with Mia due to threats by Brandi that she would hurt Mia. Determined to settle the score once and for all he goes to Brandi beautiful estate overlooking the Pacific....

> Thin Line Between Love And Hate was much better than I thought it would be. The movie definitely is funny but also provides plenty of drama. Lynn Whitfield is ever convincing in her role as Brandi, her piercing eyes slamming a knife down wickedly into her birthday cake is a scene worth remembering. What adds greatly to the movie is the fact that everything is centered around a nightclub which adds a certain feel and environment. This is a movie that is better than you would think. A definite thumbs up 8/10 on the scale.

This movie isn't Citizen Kane but it's enjoyable. It could've been done better but if you're patient there's some unique (original) bits like the car scene or the chicken delivery bit. It's great for date night. It's like a diff kind of mumblecore.