#BrownSugar with @abitofbrownsuga #LUV review!
24 January 2013 Brown Sugar
If you loved “The Wire” you’ll love “LUV” It’s BROWN SUGAR approved.
Early one Sunday morning I went to see the film “Luv”. I went not knowing much about it outside of it starring Common, and there being a lil boy in it. Really that’s all I knew lol. So I was surprised that five minutes in I was invested and almost on the edge of my seat with anticipation. ‘Luv” follows a tumultuous day in the life of Vincent and his nephew, Woody, on the streets of Baltimore, MD. Vincent, played by Common, is desperate to have a fresh start after being released from prison. Outside of that most everything else in the plot is open to interpretation.
Cool with me! I’m a fan of writing that lets my mind wander and imagine different pathways and possibilities in a plot and Luv provides lots of this! Like why on this potential crazy day does Vincent decide to take his young nephew with him? Does he really want to teach him a lesson or is there more to it? Either way the day unfolds into a journey that neither one would soon forget. While “Luv” is a story that’s been told on film many times, it is neither predictable nor boring. Yes it’s a story of an ex con trying to “make good” but there’s so much more in this almost all male film.
Each character is more than they seem and presents a fresh take on the familiar drug dealer type role, (for example the crazy foreign dude we should be afraid of is juicing wheat grass when we 1st meet him lol). Not convinced you should see it yet? Check out my 3 Reasons why it’s must see that will have you talking and thinking. Is it ever really possible to “get out of the game”? And at what cost would you attempt to “turn over a new leaf”?
http://luvthefilm.com twitta @LUVTHEFILM
Brown Sugar is written by Angie C twitta @abitofbrownsuga
3 Reasons why you should #SEELUV
3. Because you miss “The Wire” as much as I do! “Luv” is filmed in Baltimore, on the streets made familiar to the rest of us by the famed HBO series. While this film is not the Wire Pt. 2, you will get to see “Omar” aka Michael K. Williams in a very unexpected role! Also a few other Wire favs are on screen with that Bmore accent I miss hearing.
2. The film is written by Sheldon Candis. This is Candis’ 1st major box office writing/directorial debut. And if you gon’ do it, then do it BIG! He has an “A list” line up for his debut. The film stars and is produced by COMMON (ladies he is fineeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee all movie long *ahem, goes back into writer mode*) Also featuring amazing actors like Charles S. Dutton, Danny Glover, and Mr. Allstate himself Dennis Haysbert!! <~~~ That line up is just wow! (Kudos to Common and everyone else who helped that happen.) The wonderfully talented Lonette McKee and Megan Goode (who only appears briefly) represent for the ladies. This ensemble cast does a wonderful job surrounding leads Common and Michael Rainey Jr. with a strong backing.
1. Michael Rainey Jr.!!!!! 12 yr old Rainey plays “Woody”, Common’s character’s nephew. This young man has an amazing future ahead of him as an actor. Not since The Wire season 4 have we seen how the effects of the street weigh on children. Rainey’s character is a sponge. His eyes show the audience how every decision Common’s character makes affects him. He wavers between absolute trust and complete disgust with his uncle. He has the ability to possess the innocence of childhood and the bravery of a warrior all at the same time. What a wonderful job in his major screen debut.
DJ Bee Brown Sugar, Common, LUV