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Blog by Don Kennedy

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Just Wright

Just Wright is another romantic comedy for Queen Latifah that has some endearing moments if you can get past the derivative script and the uncomfortable stereotyping. Latifah plays Leslie Wright, an accomplished physiotherapist who although a home owner drives a total beater that might be worth $100. OK, that running (barely) gag gets explained away logically but there’s some political incorrectness that remains to defy logic like when she drives home after helping to polish off a couple of bottles of wine. Then there’s the implied given that black men have to pin their hopes of success on making it in sports or that the only way for a black woman to improve is to snag a wealthy man. Leslie shares her house with her friend from childhood, the freeloading Morgan Alexander (Paula Patton). While Morgan schemes to meet an NBA sugar daddy Leslie actually makes friends with one, Scott McKnight (rapper Common) of the New Jersey Nets. It looks like chemistry is brewing between them until Scott gets one look at Morgan and becomes Mr Shallow. The engagement between Scott and Morgan disintegrates along with Scott’s knee at the All Star game and Leslie has to nurse him back to playing shape by the playoffs or he risks his contract renewal. Physio leads to physical but can Leslie’s inner beauty hold Scott when Morgan comes crawling back? Yes there is charm in this predictable movie mostly from the strength of Latifah but there’s also some surprising acting chops displayed by Common. Still it’s also rife with implausibility not the least of which is the Nets making the playoffs.

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