# 49

TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME

I’m usually not an advocate for black films. And I say that as a black woman myself. I feel most of them are poorly made, poorly scripted, poorly acted, bad direction, they tend to perpetuate negative stereotypes as well. But Two Can Play that Game is one of the few out there with an insightful, original script, a great cast, a hilarious concept…and it’s just an overall great movie.

Want to know how to keep your man in check? What to do when he starts misbehaving. In this movie, Shante (played brilliantly by Vivica A. Fox) gives us a lesson on relationship DOs and DON’Ts. The movie is basically a “How to” guide for relationship dummies. The movie follows Shante as she instructs her friends on what to do and what not to do in their romantic relationships. Shante is usually the one out of her small group of friends that’s got it together. She’s got the perfect job, the amazing boyfriend, she’s smart, driven, and generally on top of things. But that all changes when she catches her man (played by Morris Chestnut) in a lie.

Her main mission throughout the film: teach him a lesson. Make sure he never screws up again. She does this by following a series of rules and regulations that she sets forth. Vivica narrates the film, frequently talking directly into the camera to the viewers in between scenes.

This is really a great movie. It’s funny. It’s relatable in so many ways for those of us who have been in a complicated relationship or two. It’s honest. The depiction of the men and women in this film and how they relate is pretty realistic too. It’s entertaining and fun, without being too cheesy. Recommended.