Quebrando as Regras

I saw an advanced screening of Breakin' All the Rules and I have to say it was a refreshing change of pace from recent black comedies (like the mindless Johnson Family Vacation). This was a very smart comedy with interesting plot turns and twist and, for me, the most important element was believable characters. However, with Morris Chestnut and Gabrielle Union in the cast (do they have to be in every romantic, black comedy?) the movie reminded me a bit of their previous movie, Two Can Play That Game.

Jamie Foxx does a great job of carrying the movie and Peter McNichole is great as the powerful company executive that needs Jamie's help because he afraid to break up with his gold digging girlfriend. And although I've mentioned this as a "black comedy" it really is colorless. Bottom line, the movie was entertaining and well worth seeing!

It's only a coincidence that I watched this while Morris Chestnut is currently starring in a TV series. That could have been a reason why stations would have shown it, but I've had this movie in the DVR for a long time, thinking I might have seen it. It didn't seem familiar, though.

And this movie shows why I like Morris Chestnut, which is more than I can say for the TV series "Watson". I like him as a comic actor. He's not actually funny, but plays the straight man well. It's not a distinctive performance, but nothing about this movie is distinctive.

Jamie Foxx is also good, and of course funny. That's what he does best. I know he can do more, but he's just fine here.

The most entertaining quality of this movie is the deception. People don't know what is true, or if they do, they don't know whether the other person also knows. It's fun even if it's confusing.

If anyone stands out, it's Jennifer Esposito. Amazingly sexy, and she does get in the bathtub even if we don't see much. And she has talent as an actress, although I'm not sure whether it's overacting. Anyway, Rita is quite a character.

Pat Cranshaw stands out too as a dirty old man. How could he still be alive? Wasn't he already this old when he was in the "M*A*S*H" spinoff?

Gabrielle Union is also good. She always plays pretty and intelligent women.

And let's not forget Peter MacNicol. I know him from somewhere, but he's good at wimpy here.

As for Helen, I'm glad she left. And I'm glad about more about her that I won't mention.

I didn't like a lot of the music, but there were several rap songs that I didn't actually hate. And I've always liked "Atomic Dog". Evan is jamming to that one. As for Heather Headley, she isn't. Her song is what I hate about smooth jazz. If that's what it is. I prefer the older styles, without vocals and less of a beat.

Don't call it family friendly.

Is it worth it? I think so. It won't win Oscars but it doesn't have to be that good to be fun.

Breakin' All the Rules (2004) is a movie I recently rewatched on Tubi for the first time in a long time. The storyline follows a single man who helps his best friend cover for an impending breakup by meeting his friend's girlfriend at a bar. However, an unexpected attraction forms between the girlfriend and the friend, breaking unspoken rules and complicating all of their relationships.

Written and directed by Daniel Taplitz (Nightlife), the film stars Jamie Foxx (Ray), Gabrielle Union (Bring It On), Morris Chestnut (The Best Man), Peter MacNicol (Ghostbusters II), and Bianca Lawson (Save the Last Dance).

Despite its impressive cast, the movie doesn't quite live up to its potential. Gabrielle Union looks stunning, and Morris Chestnut delivers a solid, authentic performance. Peter MacNicol is amusing as the quirky villain, but Jamie Foxx's over-the-top expressions and mannerisms feel excessive at times, detracting from the film's humor. The comedy leans on predictable hijinks and lacks the sharp wit it needed to stand out.

In conclusion, Breakin' All the Rules is an average comedy that misses the mark. I'd score it a 5/10.

I never really had much to say in the way of Jamie Foxx prior to his recent break out in roles ie. Collateral and although I haven't seen it yet I have no doubt his performance in "Ray" will further my opinions of him. He's a great character actor and possibly on his way to being the caliber of such great African American performers as Denzel Washington and Will Smith. His role in Collateral was scene stealing and up against Tom Cruise's Oscar worth performance it was a challenge but he impressed me. Then comes this fun little romantic comedy. A very different change of pace for Foxx but he pulls it off flawlessly in a amusing, and fun to watch film.

Breakin All The Rules is about an editor turned author who is dumped by his model girlfriend (Bianca Lawson) and during his fit of depression ends up writing a guide to breaking up with people...the right way. His cousin and best friend played perfectly by Morris Chestnut is a womanizer who doesn't believe in these rules until he sees them in action. The book makes Quincy famous, but unlucky in love until he meets the perfect woman in a case of mistaken identity and falls for her. It just so happens she is the latest girlfriend of his cousin who is also in love with her.

The comedy in this film relies heavily on the old formula of mistaken identities, and mix ups in happenings, reminds me of the old Three's Company episodes. The film also relies heavily on the personalities of the characters. The womanizer, the nice misunderstood main character guy, the stuck up model ex girlfriend, the "perfect" woman, and the other supporting characters make the film brilliant. The film is full of former TV sitcom actors which perhaps makes sense being it does play out like an episode of a sitcom but really what is wrong with that? Peter MacNichol of Ally McBeal fame plays his usual character but always fun to watch. He's the perfect blend of superiority while being completely inferior. Leading lady played by Gabrielle Union goes with both Foxx and Chestnut's character and she does a great job. Previously seen as her role on Friends, I was never fond of her although I liked her character in 10 Things I Hate About You and she's had some other great roles. She was perfect for her role in this film. Jennifer Esposito makes a fun little addition to the cast as the slightly psycho girlfriend/fiancée of MacNichol's character. The cast just works so well together and the film is written in such a way that you can't help but enjoy it's simplicity.

I enjoy what everyone on the message board calls "Black Cinema" but this is one of the best because it's still very mainstream without losing the culture. Overall this is a fun film to check out a Saturday night, it's not too heavy but is satisfying and cliché'd which sometimes is a good thing.

7/10

"Breaking all the Rules" looked promising just by having the talented Jamie Foxx in the lead role. As it plays on the screen, this comedy, directed by Daniel Tablitz, who also wrote the screen play, seems to have been produced on the strength of its star, or maybe someone in the studio decided that making it with a mostly black cast, had possibilities. This comedy could have been played by any cast of any color without making any dent in the genre.

The basic problem is the screen play. Do we care about these people? I don't think so. The running gag about Nicky resembling Halle Berry runs tired after the second time it's mentioned. Even the book that Quincy writes makes no sense.

Jamie Foxx is about the only pretext for spending almost an hour and a half with this film. He is an interesting performer no matter what he is doing. The beautiful Gabrielle Union is fine as Nicky, but there is no heat between Quincy and her. The rest of the cast struggles to make this comedy succeed.

Watch it at your own risk.