CheerupSilver Very Cool!!!

GazerRise Fantastic!

Teringer An Exercise In Nonsense

Lucia Ayala It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

edwagreen Terrific film showing two African American families-one very wealthy (supposedly) and the other, rather poor people from Brooklyn. The son of the latter and the daughter of the former are to be married.When the families meet for the first time, fireworks immediately fly and it appears that the marriage-to-be will definitely come apart.Angela Bassett is marvelous as the upright mother of the bride. Not at all contented with her African heritage, Bassett is a snob to the hilt.Bassett is equally matched by Loretta Devine, mother of the groom and a Brooklyn postal worker. She is basically the stereotype of a typical mother-in-law.The film's comedy turns serious when Devine overhears Bassett and another woman reveal a deep dark secret. In order to break up the wedding, she is only to happy to reveal the secret to the bride-to-be.This is definitely a great film showing the different class structures among people, but how they can settle their differences and unite.

t-juice I read a review the other day (of a different movie), with the headline: "Why are Christian-themed films so bland?" One answer given was that such films are marketed to audiences not looking for personal or religious challenge, but merely for affirmation of their values and beliefs. No tension = bland. While watching "Jumping the Broom", a lovely, beautifully-filmed gem produced by Bishop T.D. Jakes, a second reality came to me: Most religious-themed films are marketed mainly to white people! As an Black American married to a white person, I don't say that to be mean or racist. Rather, I mean to celebrate (as this film does) the fact that Black audiences-of-faith (are there any other?) don't hold themselves or others to the same rigid set of artistic rules. (No homilies need to be laid down, since Black folks will be in church regardless -- that still being the core of the community.) While often preachy (yeah I mean you, Madea!), Black films don't really have to preach to be successful, and therefore Black faith-life can be shown with far a wider color-palette of nuance, contradiction and paradox, than white faith-life."Jumping the Broom" tells a story about two families from different backgrounds clashing together around a marriage. That simple and clichéd theme is given tremendous depth by exploring issues that are far more powerful in the Black community than among other Americans. To say that not all Polish-Americans are the same, is no big deal. To say that Black Americans are as diverse as any other group, is actually a painful truth to portray -- our dirty laundry exposed, our historic "unity" shown as overblown. (Throw in God and faith, Who and which teaches us to love one another, and the pain is magnified.) Black people are classist (both ways), selfish, insensitive, spoiled, boorish -- and also tender, faithful, supportive -- and also sexy, luscious, heartbreakingly gorgeous -- and all at the same time. Those beautiful lips, those multiple shades of brown, the curvaceous bodies -- all that carried with the dignity, wholesome allure, and danger of an original Eve.Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine shine as always, and their dueling performances ring so true (and yes, painful) on so many levels. Paula Patton is simply stunning, and good for her for not playing cheaply with it. (You have to love a beauty who's not trying to remind you of it, but simply and lovably IS.) All the supporting characters are spot-on renderings of people you knew and know -- the wise yet often lascivious uncle; the "friend" trying to undermine your success to keep you "down" with him; the girl who is so beautiful, and used to hearing it, that she doesn't actually know her true worth; the mother who can't deal with her child growing past her narrow and hearty biscuits-and-gravy life.Highly recommended. White people will enjoy this as well, though not feel it as deeply. It is regrettable that amazing Black actors too often can't find decent roles outside of "Black" movies. (Leave aside whether this is anyone's "fault.") Still the fact remains that some fascinating stories can only be told from this particular historical situation -- Black people in America. And some "universal themes" -- like faith-in-life -- are really most fruitfully told from this Black-in-America perspective, where at best they need not hit you over the head with moralizing, but instead can subtly welcome viewers to self-explore -- or not -- as they wish and at their own pace. "Jumping the Broom" if both "not-all-that- deep" and also reflective of the real-life confusions of a people slowly coming to terms with their own successes in this land "under God." Try not to judge any of the characters; just watch them and feel how real they are. And enjoy the rich look of this movie.

rlplummer2 "Jumping The Broom" has a daunting task: tell a believable, funny story about a wedding while weaving in six different subplots involving a large ensemble cast. I was pleasantly surprised how well director Salim Akil pulled it off. Is "JTB" believable? For the most part, yes. (However, the film's big secret is one I don't believe could have remained secret for so long). Is "JTB" funny? YES! I give Mike Epps and Loretta Devine kudos for not overacting and still delivering great comic moments. And thank you to the screenwriters for NOT filling a Black film with lots of slapstick. I was impressed how 14 actors/actresses received their fair share of screen time. (Though a little of Romeo's acting goes a long way.) And I must add that this is a good-looking cast! Angela Bassett (sigh!) leads a list of beautiful ladies. Laz Alonzo, Romeo and Gary Dourdan provide lots of muscles and six-pack abs (yes, I was a little jealous). And for those concerned that this movie is 'religious' because T.D. Jakes helped produce it--don't worry. The only overt Christianity in the movie involves a promise that Sabrina (Paula Patton) makes to God. While "JTB" risks going into soap opera mode a few times, the characters talked and behaved (for better or worse) like real people. Watch for a powerful scene with Mr. and Mrs. Watson that needs no dialogue. While the overall arc of the film might not surprise you, how the script gets there is a pleasant journey. So when it comes to recommending "Jumping The Broom", I happily answer: "I do."

capone666 Jumping the BroomEvery culture has its wedding traditions. Jewish couples break the glass; Hindu couples exchange garlands; and rich couples sign prenups.The wedding tradition in this drama, however, is controversial.After another one nightstand, Sabrina (Paula Patton) vows not to spread her legs until she is married.Accepting that challenge is Jason (Laz Alonso), a cultured, caring guy, who proposes in less than 6-months.Now, they must make their families see eye-to-eye on cultural issues, including the ceremonially slave custom of jumping over a broom to secretly signify marriage.Meanwhile, Jason must confront his overbearing mother (Loretta Devine), while Sabrina sorts through the news that her parents (Angela Bassett, Brian Stokes Mitchel) aren't who they say they are.Laden with religious dialogue and debates over racial obligations, Jumping the Broom does have its agenda; however, its depiction of in-law fallouts is accurate.Which is why the ideal wedding is that of two orphans. (Yellow Light)