Think like a man film

            The film is a Tv production by Tim Story. This film basically borrows its argument from the book in print by Steve Harvey on, “act like a lady, think like a man”. The film features some of the most contemporary popular Black American actors who are the stars in this film. Lauren is at the top of her career as she is the CEO of a major company and has extremely higher standard. However she is still single. Her best friend is as well a single mother who also happens to be single (Dreisinger, 2008). She and Candice, her best friend is fed up with relationship and dating issues and wonder where good men are.  It is after reading the book by Steve Harvey that they meet up with a couple of bachelors. They therefore use the book as a guideline. Lauren meets a dreamer, Michael Ealy while Candice meets a mother’s boy, Terrence. Their relationships develop and he book’s advice were working so well until the men found out about the book and decided to also get even. This paper therefore will analyze the main characters illustrating the connection of race, class as well as the gender identities (Harrision, 2011).

            The movie outlines black affairs which normally gets a harsh handling by Hollywood despite the Tv producer. Intricate affairs are transferred into a mad, aggressive blur which turns out to be a domestic violence and an aspect of as due bills such as the electricity bills. This is the perception of many as they watched the movie but it is rather evident that the movie was nothing as this.

            In most cases, when a black passionate comedy exerts an impressive cast as influential as in the film, it is only to entertain the viewers from apprehending that they are watching another film which approaches a black relationship from a clichéd perception. This leaves the viewer with a smile as they view the black relationship as humorous.

            The film thus deals with rote typecast about black affection. The black ladies are painted as difficult and unattractive characters whose just aim is to seek for helpmates so as to be able to raise their children with someone different. They are also highlighted as unapproachable since they seem to be arrogant as they roll their eyes, blaspheme one out or even kick one in the nuts when asked out for a date.  However, they are portrayed as successful, powerful women in think like a man. This is portrayed by characters such as Meagan who is a good woman and a kindhearted one while Henson is strong while Gabrielle character stood with her man even when he did not have a job and she assisted him to create an adult resolution as to how he desires to live instead of kicking him out as per the stereotypes on black women. Black men on the other hand are the ironic reverse of the black ladies. They are viewed as the elusive sex symbols despite of how thuggish or womanly they seem to be. All that they are expected to do is to be sexy with no aptitude or even without decent values. These black characters exclusively rely on their physical appearances and attitude so as attain approval as a champion in the viewers’ eyes. This approach has demonstrated success in the sense that the film maker makes money out of the films as they feature simple black personality.

            Think like a man film therefore tries to use these tactics where Romany seeks assistance from his fellow friends so as to make his seduction effective as he has failed in his seduction strategy with his most recent girlfriend. As his friends are entirely clothed, Romany is still not clothed and as his friends they hear him out as they want to sincerely help him out. It is at this moment that Kelvin Hart a comedic actor, Cedric reminds his friend Malco actor that there are no women who are present in his life despite the fact that he has six pack as this would not help him get out of this challenge. The geographical location of some of these characters has enhanced the shaping of the actors behaviors in the film and this plays a major role in the shaping of the manner in which they act. Michael Ely(Henson)  is from a humble background hence her character is solely based on chance.

 

            There are implications of interaction seen from the characters that are gripped from luring promises and those who are subjected to them. In the film black men are seen to have patriarchal beliefs as they start relationships between black men and black women. Black women are portrayed to be too strong a reason that prevents black men enacting their true manhood. This is racial as the strength of the black women is perceived from their color (Dreisinger, 2008). The film also reveals that black women cannot sustain a functional relationship with equally strong men as they are strong minded and self assertive. Sadly it is true to say that such assumptions based on the race are bedrock of the large society that forms an understanding of the black men and women interactions (Harrision, 2011).

            However the film portrays black women as the one who have extensive knowledge in relation to love, commitment, intimacy and relationships. The effect of the title suggests that the suggestion of women aligns to the thoughts of men (Dreisinger, 2008). This indicates a masculine performance of women to that of men. Traditional women are considered to be the weaker sex whom the film contradicts. Women are meant to seek protection and love from men and not be the one to give instead. This has changed a world view of the black women making them to be feared.

            Through the film there has been an evolving understanding of masculinity between black men and women. The film has been able to position black men and women to be more than just consumers due to their reaction and negotiation presented. A system of oppression has been identified in the film through racism and classism as there is discrimination of others (Dreisinger, 2008). The discrimination shows the experiences of the black worldwide. This shows that the Blacks rights were violated and only their strength could save them. it implies that there is a perception by the people that the rights of the Black can be easily violated as it was done historically. Conceivably the film also portrays the whites to be scared of their black counterparts giving them a run for their money (Harrision, 2011). In reality this shows the black man as a person who can use excessive force to damage the life of others. This is not true as the whites can also oppress the black through bitter and disappointing experiences.

Conclusion

            Tim Story and the corporation in charge of the film production did a comprehensive post of representing the contemporary black American ladies and in turn represent the black affection. With the direction of Steve Harvey in combination with the humorous recounting by Kevin Hart, the perception on black American relationship has shifted from slew of sex insanity as well as drugs into a far better perception. This film therefore acknowledges the challenges that the young cohort has when running their relationships and drops a hint on what was used to be on the dark side of the black people relationships.

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Dreisinger, B. (2008). Near Black: White-to-Black passing in American culture. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press.

Harrision, L. P. (2011). Think Like a Man: And here’s a thought…Start acting like a man. AuthorHouse