Film Review- “What Men Want”

Once a human has reached the infamous passage of adulthood, it is quite normal and highly entertaining to wish for secret powers that will help aid you through the mysterious wonders of life.

For women, having the ability to know the complete inner workings of a man and how he processes his time, heart, and money is considered a gift from God. Because honey let me tell you, trying to read a man’s mind is exhausting and we don’t have time for that!

Thankfully Paramount Pictures delivers a powerful film, WHAT MEN WANT starring Taraji P. Henson, to bless our comedic hearts and provide a little fairytale potion beyond our wildest dreams.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn what happens when you can get inside someone’s head and hear their inner thoughts, take some time to explore all of the possibilities that are available in WHAT MEN WANT opening in theaters February 8. 

I love when a movie can tell a story from beginning to end and not leave me hanging in a perplexed state of mind. Every actor played their role beautifully and gave us many facets from a man, woman, and child perspective in the setting of a modern day world.

Ali Davis (Taraji P. Henson) represents the woman who must work ten times harder to prove her worth in a male dominated sports agency, that is often seen as the “boy’s club.” The fashion, heels, toughness, and aura of having it all together appear to be her super powers but throughout the film these qualities turn into kryptonite.

Actor Richard Roundtree (Ali’s Father) always portrays the role of a father so eloquently and precisely with ease. As the owner of a boxing gym, Mr. Davis helps us slowly peel back the layers of who Ali is as a woman. You can always learn great details about someone by studying their family background and how they were raised growing up. We often judge others without first understanding their history and the pathology that has affected them subconsciously in life.

There were so many powerful messages that permeated through the storytelling of this film and one significant note spoke to me the most. The scene in which Mr. Davis apologizes to Ali, for allowing the fear of being hurt to block his daughter’s heart from the love that she deserves. My God, that was a word right there. He didn’t want the trouble of subjecting his daughter to the pain he endured as a man, raising a child on his own.

 

In the words of the beautifully hilarious Sistah (Erykah Badu) it’s time for us to shine. Black girl magic is real and effectively thrives when we are allowed to operate within our own unique abilities. So no matter how many obstacles stand in your way or try to block your greatness, don’t allow the value of your self-worth to be determined by the opinion of others. You must know and understand all of the greatness that you possess, and it is your cognitive ability that can determine your successful altitude in life. 

 Overall this movie is absolutely sublime and I totally recommend it as a girl’s night event or couple’s therapy to say the least. Bravo to Paramount Pictures and Will Packer Media on receiving a fireworks (This film will Light Up your life) rating from GlitterandGumbo.com.

WHAT MEN WANT IS IN THEATRES FEBRUARY 8, 2019

SYNOPSIS-

Ali Davis (Taraji P. Henson) is a successful sports agent who’s constantly boxed out by her male colleagues. When Ali is passed up for a well-deserved promotion, she questions what else she needs to do to succeed in a man’s world… until she gains the ability to hear men’s thoughts! With her newfound power, Ali looks to outsmart her colleagues as she races to sign the next basketball superstar, but the lengths she has to go to will put her relationship with her best friends and a potential new love interest (Aldis Hodge) to the test. WHAT MEN WANT is the latest comedy from director Adam Shankman (HAIRSPRAY) and producers Will Packer and James Lopez (GIRLS TRIP), co-starring Tracy Morgan, Richard Roundtree, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Josh Brener, Tamala Jones, Phoebe Robinson, Max Greenfield, Jason Jones, Brian Bosworth, Chris Witaske and Erykah Badu.

DIRECTED BY:

Adam Shankman

PRODUCED BY:

Will Packer, p.g.a., James Lopez, p.g.a.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY:

Taraji P. Henson, Amy Sayres, Adam Shankman,

Matt Williams, David McFadzean, Dete Meserve

STORY BY:

Jas Waters and Tina Gordon

SCREENPLAY BY:

Tina Gordon and Peter Huyck & Alex Gregory