Think Like a Man – A Sony Pictures’ Release

http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/thinklikeaman/

DVD Release Date: August 28th, 2012

Rated PG for coarse language and sexual content

Running time: 122 minutes

Tim Story (dir.)

Keith Merryman (screenplay)

David A. Newman (screenplay)

Based on the book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey

Christopher Lennertz (music)

Michael Ealy as Dominic

Jerry Ferrara as Jeremy

Kevin Hart as Cedric

Terrence J as Michael

Romany Malco as Zeke

Meagan Good as Mya

Regina Hall as Candace

Taraji P. Henson as Lauren

Gabrielle Union as Kristen

Jenifer Lewis as Loretta

Our reviews below:

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Think Like a Man DVD Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

The hilarious Cedric (Kevin Hart) and his buddies are all struggling in their relationships with women.  Zeke (Romany Malco) is a player going after Mya (Meagen Good) who has a ninety day rule before letting any man reach into her “cookie jar.”  Michael (Terrence J) has fallen in love with single mother Candace (Regina Hall), but he is a mama’s boy who still lives with his mother (Jennifer Lewis).  Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) has been with Kristen (Gabrielle Union) for nine years but has yet to put a ring on it, and Dominic (Michael Ealy) is a dreamer going after rich executive Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) who just so happens to be “her own man.”

With characters based on archetypes in comedian Steve Harvey’s bestselling relationship advice book for women titled Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, this is a smartly written film that has a lot of intelligent things to say about the constant clashes between the sexes.  With an insightful and often very funny script that packs in a surprising amount of the invaluable information from the titular book, Think Like a Man is a charming and thoroughly entertaining romantic comedy that is carried by a good cast.

The DVD includes a gag reel and deleted scenes.

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Think Like a Man DVD Review By Erin V.  

***1/4 (out of 4)

In Think Like a Man, we follow several couples who all are having dating troubles.  Whether they are already married, wishing someone would propose already, or trying to figure out how to get noticed by ‘the one,’ they all need a little bit of help.  The guys often discuss women on the basketball court, trying to share around advice, but the women go another route – they discover a book published (by a guy) about how men think and how to use it to get what you want/need in a relationship.  With all of them reading this book, the men are soon outmatched and feel betrayed that one of their own (a guy) would give away their secrets in print.

What’s interesting is that the film is based on Steve Harvey’s Best-Selling book “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,” but as a self-help book it can’t really be adapted per se.  So instead the book becomes a character in the film, as the characters read it and watch the author appearing on various talk shows.  This format really works and a fair amount of the book is actually able to be presented through these two plotting devices.

Overall, the 2-hour running time goes by fast here, as Think Like a Man is a light, funny rom-com with a good script and acting – this is one worth seeing.

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Think Like a Man DVD Review By Nicole

***1/2 (out of 4)

Inspired by the best selling book “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” by Steve Harvey, Think Like a Man tells a hilarious and believable story about relationships between men and women.  Each character is an archetype paired up with a formidable match.  Player Zeke (Romany Malco) pairs with Mya (Meagan Good), a woman who follows a ninety day wait policy.  Dominic (Michael Ealy), a blue eyed dreamer, ends up with realist Lauren (Taraji P. Henson), a lady who “is her own man.”

Michael (Terence J), who lives with his mom Loretta (Jenifer Lewis), is dating Candace (Regina Hall), a single mom to adorable six year old Duke (Caleel Harris).  And non-committing fanboy Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) has been living with Kristen (Gabrielle Union) for nine years, and she has been waiting for a ring.  After reading “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,” the women start to figure out how to play at the men’s games.  The guys catch on and try to keep up.  How will these unlikely matches work out?

Think Like a Man is a great film that is easily one of this year’s best romantic comedies.

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Think Like a Man DVD Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

It’s an interesting premise having a popular self-help book be a main character in a movie.  In Think Like a Man, the four main female characters all buy Steve Harvey’s relationship guidebook “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” and use the strategies to improve the relationships with the unknowing men in their lives.  When the men figure out what’s going on, they also read the book and try to out-strategize their women.  But as sexist and cold as all this game playing sounds, this is actually a heartwarming and funny take on romantic relationships.

Player Zeke (Romany Malco) finds his match in the burned one too many times Mya (Meagan Good).  Mama’s boy Michael (Terence Jenkins) pursues single mom Candance (Regina Hall).  Michael’s mom Loretta (Jenifer Lewis) is a real hoot.  Longtime live-in boyfriend Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) has to deal with his girlfriend Kristen’s (Gabrielle Union) desire for commitment.  Busy executive Lauren (Taraj P. Henson) questions whether or not dreamer and underachiever Dominic (Michael Ealy) would be a good match.  Add to the mix recently separated Cedric (Kevin Hart) and his pining for his soon to be ex-wife.  The strong ensemble cast all play well off each other making the otherwise stereotyped characters believable in their relationships with one another.

Think Like a Man is a fun movie to watch.  If you know anything about Steve Harvey’s book, you’ll realize what a good job the filmmakers have done integrating segments with Steve Harvey dispensing wisdom and quotes from his book.  After you watch the movie on DVD you might want to check out Harvey’s book if you haven’t already.  Both the movie and the book that inspired it are fun stuff.

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Think Like a Man DVD Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

Think Like a Man is an ensemble romantic comedy based on the popular relationship book by comedian and daytime talk and game show personality Steve Harvey (appearing  on screen at several points in the film). Six men representing various types described in the book regularly get together to play basketball, have a few drinks and discuss women. They include the happily married Bennett (Gary Owen), the soon to be divorced Cedric (Kevin Hart), the player Zeke (Romany Malco), the mama’s boy Michael (Terrence J), the immature non-committer Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) and the dreamer Dominic (Michael Ealy).

The latter four meet their match in women who are using the book to get their way. The formerly easy Mya (Meagan Good) is trying out the 90 day rule to keep Zeke out of her “cookie jar.” Despite Michael’s rapport with her young son Duke (Caleel Harris), Candace (Regina Hall) finds stiff competition in Michael’s mom Loretta (Jenifer Lewis). Kristen (Gabrielle Union) has to take desperate measures to take her long term relationship with Jeremy to the next level. Though clearly out of his league, the self-reliant executive Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) can’t help being charmed by the financially challenged Dominic. Once the guys get wise to the women’s tactics, they find themselves responding in ways that result in favourable outcomes for all concerned.

At just over two hours, Think Like a Man is far superior to some longer recent ensemble comedies such as He’s Just Not That Into You or the Garry Marshall holiday films. Under the direction of Tim Story the fine cast is well served by a fast-moving script that is consistently mature and funny without resorting to gross-out gags or vulgarity beyond a sitcom level. I am confident Think Like a Man will stand up well among films such as Diner and even the best comedic plays of the past.

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Consensus: Based on the bestselling relationship advice book by Steve Harvey, Think Like a Man is an entertaining and often hilarious romantic comedy that is carried effortlessly by a good ensemble cast and surprisingly insightful script.  ***1/4 (Out of 4)