1.5 on 5
Writer/director Kasi Lemmons ("Eve's lake," "Talk to Me") updates Langston Hughes's Gospel musical with associate urban tale with rap and R&B influences, however whereas her film is jam-packed with stunning music, it's execution may be a herky jerky affair. Lemmons adds themes of non secular hypocrisy and therefore the alternate effects of poorness, however marries the 2 for her resolution, abandoning real answers for a fairy tale climax whereas her symbolic Blessed Virgin (Grace Gibson) and Joseph (Luke James) figures square measure neglected within the cold.
Naima may, in fact, be a post-Nativity Blessed Virgin, losing her home whereas she sends her kid away to be talented by wealth. Langston may be a smart child United Nations agency adores his mummy however resents being sent away and is tempted to show to crime to assist her dig out from her monetary crisis. He gets an excellent chance at the counter of an expensive NYC edifice (he's gone in to beg use of a phone) once a person leaves his billfold on the counter, however his come back of the item is misinterpreted supported his look. in a very gaol, he is decreased by Loot (Tyrese Gibson), United Nations agency dubs him 'lunch cash,' however Langston offers nearly as good as he gets and leaves a sway. His grandparent are a more durable nut to crack.
Langston's gran Aretha (Angela Bassett) welcomes him with open arms, however is reluctant to inform him simply why they are unloved from their female offspring even though she will fill in a very bit concerning his unknown dada. His grandparent unknowingly opens the door to temptation and all over again Langston waivers between smart and dangerous intentions. once he runs into Loot outside a pawn look, the die would seem to be solid.
But there is extremely nothing stunning concerning however any of this seems. Lemmons has gathered associate appealing ensemble, giving a couple of the chance to indicate North American country what they have. Young Latimore is sympathetic within the lead and may carry a musical variety (his initial, "Motherless kid," is given a slow tempo jazz ejaculate rap treatment with a fellow bus soul named Isaiah (Nas)). Jennifer Hudson is solid because the troubled mummy and has the movie's massive, power numbers. Tyrese Gibson goes heap|plenty|lots} deeper than his "Fast & Furious" outings as a person United Nations agency lost his means subsiding for his lot. Bassett and Whitaker even sing, however though most musical numbers flow naturally from the narrative, one in every of the loveliest songs - "Hush kid (Get you thru This Silent Night)" - awkwardly segues from reality to dream (Lemmons uses this device doubly, the 2d a lot of successfully).
The film's third act uses the Reverend's Christmas show as a jumping off purpose to solid and reel in varied plot lines amidst rousing religious numbers (Mary J. Blige, initial met in brief as a form alien on the road, is that the show's white-afro'ed Angel). It all gets to be slightly a lot of, however it's heart is within the right place and therefore the music is infectious.
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