'Just Wright' review: Queen Latifah refuses to fall prey to rom-com clichés alongside Common
Queen Latifah signed up to 'Just Wright' because it gave her the opportunity to get up close and personal with a hunky leading man.
As it turns out, director Sanaa Hamri depends a little too much on her charismatic star in the hopes that Latifah can elevate average material. And to an impressive degree, she does. But ultimately, this one-of-a-kind woman deserves more than a one-size-fits-all romance.
The title refers to Leslie Wright (Latifah), a physical therapist living in New Jersey with marriage-obsessed parents (James Pickens Jr., Pam Grier) and a social-climbing best friend, Morgan (Paula Patton). Though Leslie's the die-hard Nets fan, it's beautiful Morgan who snares an NBA fiance, All-Star player Scott McKnight (rapper Common).
When Scott shreds his knee, and his prospects, Morgan swiftly moves out of his Manhattan mansion. Meanwhile, Leslie moves in, as a full-time therapist and psychological cheerleader.
What should happen next is that Leslie and Scott strike unmistakable sparks and fall madly in love. What actually happens is that Common and Latifah build a beautiful friendship, while awkwardly fulfilling a story line that pushes them together in the most obvious ways.
The chemistry between the leads is more cozy than sexy, but the biggest issue is Latifah's noticeable - and admirable - discomfort with the rom-com clichés found throughout Michael Elliot's screenplay. When characters plot to snag a husband, for example, or she's required to swan down the stairs like Cinderella, this icon of individuality looks distinctly uncomfortable.
On the other hand, when she gets to banter with Scott's mom (a delightful Phylicia Rashad), or cheer on the Nets - suspend your skepticism at their success - she relaxes and has a genuinely good time. In those moments, so do we.
Latifah has talent and personality to spare, so it would be great to see her taking on more romantic roles. But to sell herself short in the process? Clearly, even she knows that's just wrong.
She said: "That's what the movie is all about. It's all about me having the opportunity to be in bed with Common. I mean, what's this all for if I can't hook that up? It's not a bad day of work. I just want everybody to know that we didn't go for an R-rating."
The 40 year old claimed she had to work hard to help Common - real name Lonnie Rashied Lynn, Jr. – live up to his hunky image.
She said: "There were certain scenes where I was like, 'Man, you're that dude. Girls throw their selves all over you. Be that dude!' Sometimes I would just pump him up, like gas, because he's so humble."
The US star - who has shed 25lbs over the past two years – also claimed being sexy was simply in the eye of the beholder.
She told Parade.com:"I've always believed it's not always what you look like, it's who you are on the inside. Beauty from the inside out is something that I can connect with because that's where you get your integrity and confidence."