My fellow critic-in-arms Rock Young penned the review of Think Like A Man for Geek for e, but I figured the entire bit of blather from my thoughts on the film should be tossed posted here for…posterity?  Something?
Anyway, here ’tis.

I’m a sucker for movies that say they’re gonna break down relationships and show all the little ticks and foibles.  From He’s Just Not That Into You to Why Did I Get Married?, I’ll be front and center soaking it all in.  But with Think Like A Man, instead of my usual bits of “I hear that” or “yep girls, haven’t we all been there” bonding, I laughed my butt off.  Never have I been so entertained by what many have labeled a chick flick.  This isn’t a chick movie.  This isn’t a dude movie.  This isn’t an “urban movie” (a label I dislike, as if entertainment can and should be separated by any lines in the sand).  This is a fun, enjoyable film that everyone can enjoy.  Well, maybe not the kids.  They’d think all the kissing was gross.

Director Tim Story mixes it up, keeping all the multiple storylines in play without so much as a hiccup in pacing or narrative.  This could have ended up a two-hour commercial for Harvey’s book, but Story shifts the focus to the individual characters and not the pages of Harvey’s narrative.  Screenwriters Keith Merryman and David A. Newman let you see the action from all sides, so this feels like a true ensemble film instead of a man or woman-bashing screed.  And as an ensemble piece, it’s tough to pick out the truly outstanding performances, because the actors do such a wonderful job working with each other.  That said, Kevin Hart (Kevin Hart: Seriously Funny) is brilliant as always, and manages to steal just about every scene he’s in.  His post-divorce bitter manchild is an absolute hoot.  And D.C. native Taraji P. Henson brings a softness to her COO that weighs a man’s net worth higher than a man’s heart.  Well, at first anyway.

Cameos from Luenelle, Wendy Williams and Chris Brown (yeah, I’m as surprised as you that he has a comedic side) are goofy without being over the top.  What could have been a heavy or corny film is instead a laugh riot that informs and entertains.  Think Like A Man is a rare treat; a movie that lets you peek into how men and women think ala Sex and the City, but gives you something to think about and discuss afterward, like the best take-heart conversation from your best friends.

To quote the timeless philosopher Fat Albert:

You’ll have some fun now
With me and all the gang
Learning from each other
While we do our thang
Na, na, na
Gonna have a good time