Film Review: No Leap of Faith to Enjoy ‘Jumping the Broom’

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CHICAGO – There is a tradition within the African American community during weddings. It stems from the past, when marriage was deemed illegal for the race, and provides the title for a new film, “Jumping the Broom.” The now symbolic gesture is the basis for a clash between families and social classses in one seriocomic marriage weekend.

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

The situation immediately engages by putting a new spin on an old situation, the interaction between a bride and groom’s families. In this scenario the bride’s family is overtly wealthy, while the groom has a more middle class structure. Misunderstandings spring from this distinction, but also the truths that are revealed become more stark in light of the emotional wedding sensitivity, with a lot of decent laughs thrown in.

Sabrina Watson (Paula Patton) makes a promise in prayer that she will not sleep with another man unless it is on her wedding night. This sets up the meet-cute between her and Jason Taylor (Laz Alonso) – she runs him down with her car – and a relationship blossoms where somehow Jason goes along with the promise. Five months into the coupling, Sabrina gets a big promotion and a move to China, so Jason pops the question and the wedding is on.

This causes a bit of a problem as Jason’s mother (Loretta Devine) who has missed an earlier opportunity to meet Sabrina’s parents (Brian Stokes Mitchell and Angela Bassett). will only get that first meeting on the weekend of the wedding, a tony affair at the Watson family home in the Hamptons. Mrs. Taylor’s middle class roots clashes with the Watson wealth, and it doesn’t help that she has gone through anger management classes.

Family and friends gather. Willie Earl Taylor (Mike Epps), Jason’s uncle, brings his devil-may-care attitude into the fray, while the bride’s young cousin Sebastian (Romeo) has eyes for Mother Taylor’s older best friend Shonda (Tasha Smith). Sabrina’s bridesmaid, Blythe (Meagan Good), starts making time with the catering chef (Gary Dourdan), and Sabrina’s Aunt Geneva (Valarie Pettiford) comes with some baggage, and it isn’t contained in her suitcases.

All of these events swirl around the couple, who with their short time together start to feel the pressure as the big moment arrives. If they can survive their relatives and some inopportune secrets, maybe they will jump the broom.

“Jumping the Broom” opens everywhere on May 6th. Featuring Angela Bassett, Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, Loretta Devine, Tasha Smith, Valarie Pettiford, Mike Epps, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Romeo. Screenplay by Elizabeth Hunter and Arlene Gibbs, directed by Salim Akil. Rated “PG-13”

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Jumping the Broom”

Betrothed: Laz Alonso (Jason) and Paula Patton (Sabrina) in ‘Jumping the Broom’
Betrothed: Laz Alonso (Jason) and Paula Patton (Sabrina) in ‘Jumping the Broom’
Photo credit: TriStar Pictures

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Jumping the Broom”

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