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Movie Description
Faith, family ties, and marital fidelity are all put to the test in NOT EASILY BROKEN, a thoughtful African-American domestic drama based on the novel by mega-pastor T.D. Jakes. As the film opens, Dave Johnson (Morris Chestnut) sets the story to date: his marriage to Clarice (Taraji P. Henson), his dream of being a major league baseball player, and the couple’s shared love and faith. Ten years later, Dave’s dreams have been dashed by a career-ending injury, leaving Clarice’s success as a real estate agent to fuel their tony life. This leaves Dave feeling increasingly emasculated--a volatile situation further enflamed by Clarice’s criticism that Dave spends too much time coaching inner-city youths. This simmering tension boils over when the two are involved in a near-fatal car crash. Clarice’s subsequent physical rehabilitation compels her embittered mother (Jenifer Lewis) to move into the couple’s home and join Clarice in chastising Dave for ignoring his husbandly duties. To escape this daily barrage, Dave spends more and more time with divorcée Julie (Maeve Quinlan), the physical therapist who helps Clarice get back on her feet, as well as Julie’s young son. But when tragedy strikes, Dave and Clarice must finally confront their failing marriage and flagging faith, and reclaim the honesty and respect that once defined their life together. Director Bill Duke (SISTER ACT 2, COVER) balances relationship humor with heartfelt lessons in NOT EASILY BROKEN--an approach ably brought to the screen by an excellent cast--to show that when bad things happen to good people, they are often the challenges we need to find the best in ourselves and each other.
Industry Reviews
"This is a likable and pleasant film, based on a book by the Rev. T.D. Jakes....NOT EASILY BROKEN is well-acted and involving..."
USA Today - Claudia Puig (01/10/2008)
"[H]eartfelt and strongly delivered by a committed cast headlined by Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson....It is persuasive in its portrait of a husband and wife who must decide whether their frayed marriage is worth fighting to save."
Los Angeles Times - Los Angeles Times Critic (01/09/2008)
3 stars out of 5 -- "The drama is balanced out with well performed bits of comedy that lend a sweetness to the trouble of the film's central relationship and a weight to the more dramatic moments."
Box Office - Sara Schieron (01/09/2009)
"Laughter through tears is director Bill Duke's M.O., and he hits the bull's-eye of that modest target." -- Grade: B
Entertainment Weekly - Chris Nashawaty (01/16/2009)
"NOT EASILY BROKEN exerts an unmistakable appeal, thanks to an absorbing story and fine performances from Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson."
Washington Post (01/09/2009)
"[The film] has the saving grace of a lively sense of humor that certainly helps the spiritual medicine go down....
Hollywood Reporter - Kirk Honeycutt (01/08/2009)
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