Fifteen years ago a lovely little picture graced our screens and I instantly recognized it as a solidly made, well-acted piece of work.
In the years since its initial theatrical run, I find it unfortunate that Love Jones did not capture a wider audience because, at its heart, it is a simple story about two people who have found one another and are trying to make it work.
It is a modern-day urban love story set in the Chicago of step-dancing (aka, ‘steppin’), poetry slams and smoky jazz clubs. Our chief protagonists, photographer Nina (Nia Long) and writer/poet Darius (Larenz Tate) are twenty-something bohemians navigating both the urban and relationship landscape.
Their friends hang around the periphery of their lives and are ever-present to the audience, who bear witness to their successes and failures in securing lasting, meaningful relationships; this provides a perfect foil for our central characters.
Through these highs and lows, trial and tribulations, we the audience are left rooting our couple. By the time the closing credits roll, will we be allowed to exhale in the knowledge that they work it out?
In his feature film début, writer/director Theodore Witcher strikes a perfect balance between the light comedy and dramatic tension.
And the interplay between Tate and Long is fantastic; these are two actors that I would have liked to see a lot more of in leading roles.
If there is one thing that kind of makes me chuckle on the inside is the portrayal of the bohemian lifestyle these two (and their friends) lead. This aspect of the film teeters very close to falling into the trap of the Hollywood cliché of how folks who lead ‘artsy-fartsy’ lives go about them – I only wish my life was this exciting and dynamic!
It would be wrong of me to mention this film without mentioning the awesome soundtrack.
So in the lead-up to that day of love, Valentine’s Day for the uninitiated, seek this one out.
Scott Lawlor says
February 7, 2012 at 6:53 amI have never even heard of this one…. But I will keep an eye out for it in the future, Thanks
iluvcinema says
February 7, 2012 at 8:46 amNo problem Scott. It seems that if a film featuring African-American characters does not have Spike Lee or Tyler Perry attached to, it does not get much mainstream attention. That said, stay tuned to this space next week for another example (with a few other titles thrown in for good measure).
Have a great day!
Ja Dawson says
February 7, 2012 at 10:01 amIn the spirit of Black History Month, “big-up” for posting this article. This movie was definitely slept on-very solid piece of work. There was actually a nice run of (unfortunately for Hollywood’s sake) atypical African-American-themed “dramadies” like Love Jones, the Wood, the Best Man during this period, which were definitely all solid entries.
iluvcinema says
February 7, 2012 at 10:44 am… to give way to a slew of Tyler Perry flicks in 2012 🙂
Ja Dawson says
February 7, 2012 at 10:56 amFunny though…T-Perry’s latest flic appears a departure from the typical buffoonery that I have often seen…
iluvcinema says
February 7, 2012 at 11:12 amWhich one? Surely you are not referring to “Madea’s Witness Protection.” 🙂
Ja Dawson says
February 7, 2012 at 11:49 amGood Deeds. http://thechurchladyblogs.com/2011/12/19/tyler-perry-new-movie-good-deeds-video/
I still will pass but it appears atypical for him.
Patti Abbott says
February 7, 2012 at 10:58 amI remember the good reviews this got a the time and will look for it.
iluvcinema says
February 7, 2012 at 11:14 amDefinitely worth a look-see Patti 🙂
ruth says
February 7, 2012 at 11:55 amThis sounds lovely, I’ll check it out Iba. Y’know I sometimes confuse Nia Long and Sanaa Lathan (Something New) as both are gorgeous and often have similar hairstyle.
iluvcinema says
February 7, 2012 at 1:30 pmI really liked Something New, how ’bout you?
ruth says
February 8, 2012 at 5:08 pmYeah I did. Simon Baker is very charming in this movie, and it’s nice to see Blair Underwood playing a jerk, ahah.
iluvcinema says
February 8, 2012 at 5:12 pmYeah Blair Underwood played the jerk very well 🙂