A Thin Line Between Love and Hate

This faux thriller kicks off with a nod to Sunset Boulevard: smooth womaniser and club manager Darnell Wright (star TV comedian Lawrence) face down in a Beverly Hills pool with blood pouring from his head. Flash back to Chocolate City, Darnell's night-spot, where Brandi (Whitfield), a classy 'honey', is passing by outside - or so she thinks. This fatal attraction takes a lot of chatting up, but Darnell's soon in the back of her stretch limo, having rejected the advice of his wiseacre Ma (Reese, excellent) and the evidently more suitable attractions of childhood pal Mia (King), who's recently returned to the neighbourhood. When Darnell begins to dither, Brandi unleashes the psychosis of the woman scorned. This self-consciously upbeat enterprise trades on Lawrence's pooky persona and a soundtrack of modern hip R&B. There are some fun 'hangin'' scenes, with the boys in the back chewing the cud and cracking jokes, and Lawrence's ejaculations prove him an able physical comedian. But the script lacks wit and depth, while Lawrence's direction is meandering and undramatic, full of showy, over-elaborate camera movements.