Just Wright

Lady rapper Queen Latifah pulled off a smooth transition to acting mainly because she’s been savvy enough to showcase her brand of kindhearted confidence. Not so in this romcom, in which she stars as tomboyish Leslie Wright, a physical therapist saddled with a lemon of a love life. Though she’s a fan of the New Jersey Nets basketball team, it’s her conniving friend (Paula Patton) who nabs the heart of their star player (Common). Leslie becomes his trainer – at least until a busted knee endangers his contract and reveals everyone’s true colours.

Although replete with solid support and even stronger goodwill, ‘Just Wright’ buckles under the burden of its intentions. Too many auxiliary, moralising plot points and characters appear, only to vanish again. Common convinces as a hoops dynamo, though less so when trying to rustle up chemistry with Latifah; their one love scene is mercifully short. The film may tote out a good line or two about keeping it real, but too much of this love triangle rings false.