Romantic comedies may just be the most stale, rehashed genre of movies imaginable. So, despite an excessive two-hour run time and clunky clichés, it was nice to actually laugh while watching Think Like a Man, mostly due to the efforts of Kevin Hart.
The movie’s concept is based upon Steve Harvey’s book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, which is a guide for women to begin using relationship tactics that men incorporate into their daily lives. Once the women in the film begin to employ these techniques, a war for affection ensues amongst the characters. It’s a discouraging notion to go into a movie knowing that it is derived from a comedian’s guide to love and relationships, but it kind of works – at least for a while.
Think Like a Man begins with Hart’s narration over an animated sequence of Neanderthal boys going through the motions of becoming men, which includes spearing wooly mammoths and the like. Then the guys are introduced, each with a distinct relationship foible, as described in Harvey’s book. There is a mama’s boy, a player, a dreamer, a guy scared of commitments and Hart, the happily divorced man.
Each of the guys gets involved with one of the many attractive women in this cast, creating dynamic power struggles. Once the women begin to read Harvey’s book – which permeates this entire movie like horseradish on a sandwich – a battle of the sexes ensues.
What saves this film from hokey relationship mire is the cast, who somewhat breathe life into boring characters. Romany Malco (Weeds and The 40-Year-Old Virgin) and Hart share some great moments as Malco’s character deals with his girlfriend’s (Meagan Good) 90-day embargo on sex. There are also great cameos by Chris Brown as an asshole that reflects his current public perception, Kelly Rowland and Metta World Peace, who embarrasses Hart and his friends in a basketball game.
Despite a fun preamble, which makes the film feel like some Real World sort of dating challenge, Think Like a Man does not overcome clichés or touch on anything new in the world of relationships. Its only saving grace in moments of tired man vs. woman jokes is Hart, who can enliven a scene with his facial expressions alone. Although it gets to a point where he is the punchline of every scene, and it’s a mere waiting game for him to come and finish it off.
The movie meant a lot to Hart, who was in the midst of a divorce while filming. “I was all over the place and this movie helped shape things into perspective for me,” Hart told North by Northwestern in a recent chat. After reevaluating because of this film, Hart found it easier to retain a friendly relationship with his ex-wife for the sake of his kids.
At its center, Think Like a Man is supposed to read like a self-help relationship guide to some extent, so it would be nice if viewers can use it as such, getting similar therapeutic value out of it like Hart did. It’s just a shame that it ends up being burdened by triteness and miscues.
But, if nothing else, this will help make Hart more of a household name. His stand up shows are monumentally successful, with his most recent outing Laugh at My Pain getting a rare appearance on the big screen. What is most compelling about his humor is his self-deprecation, with digs about stature, his childhood and inability to fight. Hart is never a malicious observer, but rather sits at the center of his own humor, even when the cameras aren’t rolling. The cast of Think Like a Man was well aware of this and accordingly made him the butt of their jokes.
“They tried to a play a prank on me," Hart said. "They acted like they set my trailer on fire.” Moments like these make it clear that his humor is best served with no filters, and no one on the side. So if Think Like a Man accomplishes anything, it only enhances anticipation for Hart’s next chance to stand not-so-tall on a stage with a microphone.