The Color of Money - Jumping The Broom

3 out of 5 Popcorn Kernels

 SEE TRAILER HERE

The tradition of jumping the broom dates back to the time of Black slavery, when the union of marriage wasn't recognized within that group - it was both symbolic as well as set the duties of the wife as homekeeper; where the broom was usually set in the doorway of their new residence. In the movie Jumping The Broom - the tradition is brushed aside slightly in light of the union and exploration of social classes among African Americans.

This type of movie was also explored in both Madea's Happy Family as well as Noah's Arc: Jumping The Broom (the latter much better than the former) - and many of the themes are seen in both, but Jumping The Broom I believe explores them in many more diverse ways, thus making this a very enjoyable movie which for some (non-African Americans) may border on average viewing.

Mr. Right...on the Beach

The Premise: Sabrina Watson (Paula Patton of Precious fame), after an ephifany-date with a hunk, realises she wants more than just the average one-night-stand, and asks God to bring along Mr. Right - and she quickly gets her wish (I'm still waiting for that winning lottery ticket however), in Jason Taylor (Laz Alonso). They date, and soon marriage is brought up, but both come from different sides of the track; Sabrina from a wealthy family, and Jason from a more modest one - and they have yet to have their families introduced, so before the wedding (days actually), they do this where the cerimony will talke place: at Jason's parents place at Martha's Vineyard.


The parents make this movie. Mrs Watson (Angela Bassett), and Mrs Taylor (Loretta Devine) are such opposites and so immersed in their characters, that although it borders on over-the-top performances, they both bounce off each other with the ease of a trapeze artist. The rest of the cast provides the many interlinking stories involving romance and relationships involving both the social classes, family, loyalty, and to a smaller aspect of child rearing and family secrets. We also have a new take on age and love which I liked. The characters are smart and assertive, and not dumed down in the sterotypes that plague movies of the African American nature.


I was really impressed with the diversity of the cast, but T.D. Jake's movies seem to have this, without throwing morality lessons in the mix as Tyler Perry movies do (although T.D. could use an acting class more). This could have been a simple Lifetime movie, but seeing it on the big screen with a mostly African American cast is refreshing in the light of so few of them being on screen to begin with. The subltle implications of the meaning of Jumping The Broom is brought up by Mrs. Taylor, who's family has passed down this old tradition - and is rejected by the more progressive Mrs. Watson who although having a family which owned slaves, wants nothing to do with the traditions of those her ancestors most likely rejected as their servants.

Couch Potatoes

What I was suprised at was at how bubbly Sabrina is in trying to bring the peace among families. It would have become annoying, but she shows her angry side when it comes to her views and later when her family ties are threatened. On some level, the situations in this movie appears to be written for a much younger cast, but the roster of African American actors in their 20's isn't very long. I would like to see her in something more dramatic where she is the star - she has a very appealing presence along with her beauty; reminded me slightly of a young Halle Berry.


Overall, this is a great date/single movie, where the story is very straight-forward, the acting good, the look of it very beautiful, and the cast...in a word...colorful.