This family drama is remarkable in that it shows a black family that displays the range of the African-American experience. Big Mama (Irma P. Hall, THE LADYKILLERS) is the patriarch of the family. Teri (Vanessa L. Williams, THE PREACHER’S WIFE) is the oldest sister and most successful, which she has a knack for reminding everyone. Her husband Miles (Michael Beach, TV’s E.R.) is also a lawyer, but he really wants to start an R&B music career. Maxine (Vivica A. Fox, KILL BILL) is the middle sister, who is pregnant and married to the good, blue collar worker, Kenny (Jeffrey D. Sams, JUST WRITE), who first dated Teri, but dumped her for Maxine.
The film begins with the wedding of the youngest sister Robin (Nia Long, BOYZ N THE HOOD), who has borrowed money from Teri to start her own beauty salon and has married the ex-con Lem (Mekhi Phifer, 8 MILE). Then the always bad news cousin Faith (Gina Ravera, KISS THE GIRLS) shows up and we know that’s going to be a problem later on. Maxine’s teenage son Ahmad (Brandon Hammond, MARS ATTACKS!) narrates the film, chronicling the family’s trials and tribulations. When Big Mama gets sick, the family begins to break apart. Teri and Miles’ marriage is on the rocks. Lem loses his job. Old tensions between Teri and Maxine flare up. And don’t forget about cousin Faith.
Director George Tillman Jr. does a fine job balancing the drama and not turning it into a soap opera. The conflicts are common to films of this nature, but it’s handled in a believable way. Tillman does get too obvious at times, which loses some credibility, however it’s never for too long. The hoochy at the wedding is a bit ridiculously over-the-top.
The acting is good across the board with young Hammond really driving the film’s tone. Most of all the film shows African-Americans with a range of economical and cultural dimension. Too many films that deal with black characters have those characters based on types. This film has the respect to know that each black person is in actuality an individual person as well. This fact, combined with its heart-warming theme of family unity, makes it a delightful experience.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
