Loving Jezebel

"Loving Jezebel" tells of the romantic misadventures of a young black New York man, Theo (Harper), who falls in love too easily and too often. With the look of a color blind, low budget indie full of fresh faces, "LJ" is a sweetly sentimental musing on love by the principal and narrator. An okay watch with a plodding pace which will grow tedious for some, "LJ" will be most appreciated by young adult romantics.

Nicole Parker was amazing! This movie is a MUST SEE just to catch her performance. She is going to be a HUGE STAR! Her chemistry with the other cast members is remarkable. Even if you usually only see big budget, studio films...make an exception for this one. Shooting Gallery has another winner.

The Tao of Steve is another film about a guy who knows how to talk to women and charm them. Hal Harper's character could use some of the Tao of Steve, for this movie is only half as smart. Yet it is fun, enjoyable and well made with sparkling performaces. This is great date picture that transends racial boundaries, it's appeal is compairable with The Best Man. At times it feels a little contrived but when it starts to take itself too searously it tosses in a laugh, sometimes the laughs are kinda cheazy (ie: the teacher's reaction to defination of love). This films romantic comedy structure flows pretty smoothly, not as smoothly as The Very Thought of You (or whatever it's called overseas), but it works well. Go see it with an open mind and ear for some interesting diolge and you'll end of having a pleasent time.

In a normal romantic comedy Theodore would be dashing and suave trying to win the love of his soulmate from her less deserving suitor.

Unfortunately he seems to find a lot of ' soulmates' in his travels.

Recently there's Frances ( Parker) who has more issues then Time magazine. Not to mention the sophisticated Mona ( Holt ) who is world wise and is pretty sure that Theodore is the one for her. Pity her boyfriend and Theodores best friend doesn't agree.

Finally we come to Samantha ( Holloman) off centre but filled with hope that is the perfect match for him. Unfortunately for them both there's her self centered jerk of a husband Gabe ( played with smooth smugness by Moscow) that could end that match stone cold dead.

I like Theodore because he isn't going around causing havoc just to add names to a book, he isn't being the typical stud that finds love. There is something lovable about him that wins both these women and the audience over.

Its different, its not about being a player but being a man looking for true love.

How can you not like that.

This movie was fascinating. The story was interesting and fun. One thing in the production and casting was exceptionally well done: the story can be of any young man, black, white, asian, etc. The relationships worked for any people and I was glad to see a movie that showed that all people are the same. Interplay between white and black characters never took into account those differences and it was so refreshing. I wish some of the black directors in the business would stop emphasizing the differences between people and stick to the similarities.