Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageA Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1995)
Director: Martin Lawrence
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
This faux thriller kicks off with a nod to Sunset Boulevard: smooth womaniser and club manager Darnell Wright (star TV comedian Lawrence) face down in a Beverly Hills pool with blood pouring from his head. Flash back to Chocolate City, Darnell's night-spot, where Brandi (Whitfield), a classy 'honey', is passing by outside - or so she thinks. This fatal attraction takes a lot of chatting up, but Darnell's soon in the back of her stretch limo, having rejected the advice of his wiseacre Ma (Reese, excellent) and the evidently more suitable attractions of childhood pal Mia (King), who's recently returned to the neighbourhood. When Darnell begins to dither, Brandi unleashes the psychosis of the woman scorned. This self-consciously upbeat enterprise trades on Lawrence's pooky persona and a soundtrack of modern hip R&B. There are some fun 'hangin'' scenes, with the boys in the back chewing the cud and cracking jokes, and Lawrence's ejaculations prove him an able physical comedian. But the script lacks wit and depth, while Lawrence's direction is meandering and undramatic, full of showy, over-elaborate camera movements.Author: WH
Cast & crew
Director: Martin Lawrence
Producer: Doug McHenry, George Jackson
Cast: Martin Lawrence, Lynn Whitfield, Della Reese, Regina King, Bobby Brown, Malinda Williams full cast
Duration: 120 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Our verdict on Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones
Peter Jackson ends a triumphant decade with a sentimental misfire with this lush Alice Sebold adaptation
On the set of Ken Loach's 'Route Irish'
Dave Calhoun meets Ken Loach on the set of his forthcoming Iraq war movie
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now