The Brothers (2001): Dir: Gary Hardwick / Cast: Morris Chestnut, Bill Bellamy, Shemar Moore, D.L. Hughley, Gabrielle Union: Effective drama about strong bond by four friends that is threatened with evaporation by women. One of them is getting married so they assemble on the basketball court to discuss old glory days. Director Gary Hardwick brings great insight and creates realistic characters with depth. On the down side it is easily predictable where each individual or relationship will result in obvious conclusions. Morris Chestnut plays a lawyer who falls in love with a woman who had a previous fling with his father. Shemar Moore is engaged but has cold feet. D.L. Hughley is married but sexually frustrated with his wife, which sometimes leads to amusing moments particularly in dialogue. Bill Bellamy drinks because he is afraid of commitment but he certainly isn't afraid of an active dating life. They all carry baggage but their bonding friendship is their escape as they vent their frustrations. The budget is not overwhelming, which gives the film the appeal of a standard drama often made for TV. Beyond that the screenplay effectively details these characters to where viewers may relate. Despite its predictable outcomes the film is a detailed look at four lives and the changes they made and the friendships that draw them together. Score: 8 / 10

can you say "booty movie"?it does make for a nice rhyme, but this movie is loaded with anachronisms, chauvinism, and stereotypes.the African-American version of Hollywood still has major issues with themes and portrayals that do not do justice to the potential that exists for the industry.when Hollywood finally decides to provide equal opportunity for all filmmakers and actors, then we might see something that resembles a good film.not that there aren't or haven't been good African-American films, but there's a lot of work to do.

I agree with the user who said that the low rating of this fine film could be due to the fact that a number of white viewers are unused to the portrayal of black males as normal, upwardly mobile Americans. The black middle class is treated as nonexistent in real life and the focus is on economically and educationally disadvantaged members. That seems to be the image most Americans are comfortable with and find acceptable. There have been black doctors and lawyers for decades now so there is nothing unusual or new about these young men's careers or lifestyles.Having said that, I'm glad to see black men portrayed in a normal, honest, and introspective light. We've all known young men like this but as females, we weren't privy to their private conversations. It is refreshing to know that they have worries, problems, and as many insecurities as their female counterparts and feel comfortable enough to voice them with each other.It felt good to hear another "brother" chiding one of his friends for always referring to women as bitches, and pointing out that there was something wrong with HIM, not the women he was attempting to demean. I also liked the fact that Jessie let Brian know that ALL women expect good treatment and respect from a man and that she was no more willing to put up with his shallow, immature behavior than a black woman would. I don't think she was a ditz at all and she didn't take any mess from Judge Carla either. Maybe one day soon we can have a movie about middle class black people without making a big deal over their race and view it as just a middle class "people" movie. All of the "brothers" learned something about themselves and grew as men and individuals.I thought Jenifer Lewis was exceptional in this part and I'm not even a fan. She was so convincing that I actually believed she was Louise. She was a strong, outspoken female who was a good wife and mother. She fought for what she wanted. She wanted her husband back and she got him too - and even got "ole boy" to have a second wedding at that! I found Jackson's parents relationship more interesting than his and Denise's. I was rooting for the mom and dad to get back together and I really didn't care if he and Denise did.

Only a few words can describe this film: Typical, DeJa VuTypical African-American standared fare. Chock full of stereotypes, cliches, its nothing we havn't seen already. On a more personal note, I don't say this because I am prejudice, but these types of movies are all the same. 1/2 - 5.