For more movie summaries, see Kam's Kapsules.
 I OWE, I OWE, IT'S OFF TO WORK I GO: Richard Cooper (Chris Rock, left) is off to another day in office, leaving a picture perfect home in the suburb, with a picture perfect wife Brenda (Gina Torres, right) and children. However, all is not as it seems on the surface as temptation, in the shape of a former girlfriend who has been absent for eight years, shows up. |
On the surface, it looks like Richard Cooper (Chris Rock) is living the American Dream. He has a great job as an investment banker in midtown Manhattan where he enjoys a corner office with a breathtaking view. Evenings, he goes to his spacious home in the suburbs where he is welcomed by his beautiful wife, Brenda (Gina Torres), and a two adorable, well-behaved children.
So, what's wrong with this picture? Nothing, except that, despite all of the trappings of success, the pizzazz has gone out of the Cooper's marriage. Both of them have demanding careers and, between work and caring for the kids, they haven't made love in ages.
This state of affairs seems to suit Brenda just fine, but it's driving Richard up the wall. He finds himself inventing fantasy situations with every attractive woman he sees.
Inevitably, an opportunity presents itself when Nikki Tru (Kerry Washington), an old acquaintance, suddenly resurfaces after eight years. She used to date Richard's buddy, Nelson (Orlando Jones), but they broke up years ago. Now Nikki says she'd like to be friends with Richard, and against his better judgment, he agrees.
Their daytime liaisons start off innocently enough, but change quickly after Nikki asks Richard whether he and his wife are still intimate. His admission that they aren't encourages Nikki to confess that she has designs on him.
Will the availability of an irresistible temptress lead Richard to break his marriage vows? This is the driving question behind I Think I Love My Wife, a romantic comedy loosely based on Chloe in the Afternoon (1972), Eric Rohmer's morality play which explored infidelity.
This adaptation was directed by, and stars Chris Rock, who turned the script into a formulaic sitcom. Forget about the tension created in the Chloe in the Afternoon by the protagonist's predicament. This transparent tale's outcome is telegraphed by its title, so everybody knows from the beginning which of the women in this movie's love triangle will be the loser.
What is worse is that the picture isn't funny. It consists of a series of familiar skits lifted from a variety of other films. For instance, this ripoff has the nerve to recreate the seduction scenario from The Graduate (1967), complete with the famous silhouette of the raised leg featured in that classic's poster.
The dialogue is a disappointing endless series of profanities and the N-word. In the process, Rock has squandered the abilities of a talented cast, which includes co-stars Kerry Washington and Gina Torres, veteran character actors Steve Buscemi and Edward Herrmann, and the debut of Stephen A. Smith of ESPN.
An uncreative, unoriginal exercise in the obvious. Richard may think he loves his wife, but I think I hated this movie.
Poor (0 stars). Rated R for sexuality, ethnic slurs, and profanity. Running time: 90 minutes. Studio: Fox Searchlight.
For more movie summaries, see Kam's Kapsules.