10th Chicago Critics Film Fest Features Past Lives, Blackberry, Sanctuary, Theater Camp, and Many More, A Road Paved with Bloodshed: High Plains Drifter Turns 50, Cannes 2023 Line-up Includes Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese, and Many More, Ebertfest Welcomes Molly Cornyn as its New Project Coordinator. When Violet struts across a plaza to work, hair flowing in the breeze, she is rewarded with appreciative looks and double-takes from men. A little predictable, a little cheesy but very enjoyable. Comedy, Well, they didn't. She deserves an award. One night, Violet bleaches her hair blonde despite her friends thinking it's not her but still goes out with them to the club, and starts drinking. However, in a world that appeals to white beauty standards, black women are often put down for their natural hair. Big, big difference and honestly the saddest loss from book to movie. I lived and live this hair life. Her heels are killing her, so she takes them off. I recommend it, Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations. So sutil that the man who wrote the synopsis doen't get it. Weeks later, Lathan posted the first image of her shaved head, as proof that production was underway . This movie felt cheap. In "Something New," she portrays an uptight woman who surprises herself by falling in love with her white gardener (Simon Baker). This is a must see movie!! When a perfectionist ad exec experiences a romantic setback, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery that begins with a dramatic hair makeover. Violet Jones tired of waiting for her longtime boyfriend to propose, breaks up with him. Over time, Violet grows confident with her new look. Many moments beyond the opening scene had me nodding my . In "Nappily Ever After," particularly in the mother-daughter scenes which echo the mother-daughter scenes in "Wadjda," Al-Mansour is on firmer ground. The Nappily book series by Trisha R. Thomas includes books Nappily Ever After, Would I Lie to You?, Nappily Married, and several more. "I was in a place where I was ready for the big chop," Lathan recalled about her hair in a . The parents' guide to what's in this movie. She bursts out laughing. "Nappily Ever After" attacks this attitude from all sides. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. Movie Clint was just a pretty face who wanted a trophy wife. [8][9] Halle Berry was boarded to star in the film which had producers Berry and Marc Platt along with Vincent Cirrincione and Angela DeJoseph. Paulette is there to remind her of her obligations, to make it work with Clint, to maintain perfection. They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. So sutil that the man who wrote the synopsis doen't get it. When a perfectionist ad exec experiences a romantic setback, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery that begins with a dramatic hair makeover. She has everything she thought she'd need - a successful career, friends and a boyfriend who is a handsome doctor (Whittle). There is also an adorable dog, great kid, cool music, and a scene so romantic I have no words. [4] In September 2017, more cast was announced which included Ricky Whittle as Clint, a doctor from London who has a long-term relationship with Violet; Lyriq Bent to play Will Wright, a hair stylist and salon owner who starts a new relationship with Violet; and Camille Guaty also joined the film to play Wendy, one of Violet's best friends. Nappily Ever After (2018) Rated NR 98 minutes Cast Sanaa Lathan as Violet Jones Ricky Whittle as Clint Ernie Hudson as Richard Jones Camille Guaty as Wendy Lyriq Bent as Will Lynn Whitfield as Paulette Jones Director Haifaa Al-Mansour Writer (based on the novel "Nappily Ever After" by) Trisha R. Thomas Writer Adam Brooks Cee Marcellus Simple message and no clunkers. Almost 30 years later, pristinely groomed Violet treats her hair like armor. Right at the beginning there's a highly concetrated almost 1.5 minute sex scene (even if there isn't nudity, it's focused enough to feel like a R rated scene instead of a PG-13 one). I felt no chemistry. Sanaa Lathan is Violet Jones in "Nappily Ever After." Photo courtesy of Netflix. Beautiful, nuanced tale of an independent Saudi girl. Nappily Ever After Soundtrack (2018) & Complete List of Songs | WhatSong List of Songs Doing Me RAY BLK 1 First song, plays over the opening scenes and titles. For her English-language debut, Al-Mansour directed "Mary Shelley, a film that didnt quite work although its themes of female oppression were an obvious dovetail with "Wadjda." I truly liked the movie because Violet was so relatable and likeable once she started to embrace who she really was. Black women are often stereotyped on how their hair looks and put in a box. At the party, Violet meets Clints parents, feels pressured and uneasy, and goes off alone. Underwater, her hair instantly becomes naturally wild and frizzy. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here. 9/10. In Nappily Ever After, Violet's straight-hair-obsessed mother is the villain. Nappily Ever After is a story that we may have seen before in one form or another - but is still one worth retelling in its own way. Violet Jones has. Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. Downloads only available on ad-free plans. When Crazy Rich Asians stormed into the zeitgeist this summer, it was billed as the return of the rom-com a dazzling, starry-eyed fairy tale brimming with all the classic genre showpieces, from weepy separations to airport proposals. Nappily Ever After Movie review by Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Common Sense says age 16+ Romantic dramedy with positive messages, language, sex. Viewers can also expect some profanity, including "f--k," "s--t," "a--holes," and "hell." Best friends Tully and Kate support each other through good times and bad with an unbreakable bond that carries them from their teens to their 40s. Marc Platt Productions. Outstanding cast, superb acting and an essential topic! Cast: Sanaa Lathan, Lyriq Bent, Daria Johns, Lynn Whitfield, Ricky Whittle, Ernie Hudson After losing a pitch for an ad campaign with diverse women to a male colleague's idea using blonde models, Violet quits her job. He would have been great with Grace from Greenleafor someone, but I just wasn't into them as a couple. But old feelings, and heaps of jealousy, no doubt, arise when he promptly begins dating another woman. So are we. She begins dating Will (Lyriq Bent), from the salon, and befriending his daughter, Zoe (Daria Johns). Go behind the scenes of Netflix TV shows and movies, see what's coming soon and watch bonus videos on, Sanaa Lathan, Ricky Whittle, Lynn Whitfield. This movie is about black women's hair, and what it's like for black women to live in a world where they're stigmatized because of their hair. The popular novel has been made into a movie, streaming on . She weeps. Marc Platt, Writer: "It's like having a second full-time job," she exclaims, exhausted. The film was originally in development way back in 2003 by Universal pictures with Halle Berry listed to play the lead role but was subsequently dropped after rewrites on the script. Black women are often stereotyped on how their hair looks and put in a box. Violet is now an advertising executive, living with a gorgeous doctor named Clint (Ricky Whittle), whom she hopes will pop the question soon. Learn more about our use of cookies and information. Families can talk about the key elements that make Nappily Ever After, which mostly portrays an African American culture, resonate for a wide audience. For many women, their hair gives them the freedom to express themselves. Learn more about our use of cookies and information. Director: Haifaa Al-Mansour Nappily Ever After, the first installment of Venus Johnston's story and a finalist for the Golden Pen Best Fiction and Best New Writer Award, as well as the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding. I have always worn my hair short up until the last 10 years. Not every actress is capable of pulling off what Lathan pulls off in this scene. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). The trailer dropped about two weeks ago and was met with an outpouring of positive feedback, particularly by black women, who felt that they could relate to the film's story. Starring: Sanaa Lathan, Ricky Whittle, Lynn Whitfield. (The inevitable reunion between the romantic leads is merely coda after that.). "This isn't a wig, right?" Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. Two stellar performances by Sanaa Lathan as Violet and young Daria Johns as Zoe, along with sharp commentary about culture, identity, and hair, bring a fresh, original sheen to a familiar story. Where to Watch Nappily Ever After Nappily Ever After is available to watch, stream, download and on demand at Netflix. Coming Soon. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! Lisa Loomer, This is the message we get directly or indirectly from our black mothers. [1] Ernie Hudson also joined the film to play Violet Jones' (Lathan) father Richard. I'm not familiar with her other work, but I loved her in this. Go behind the scenes of Netflix TV shows and movies, see what's coming soon and watch bonus videos on, Sanaa Lathan, Ricky Whittle, Lynn Whitfield. I cant put my finger on it but Sanaa Lathan's acting is very suspect. The weaves from Asian costing hundreds or thousand dollars. That being said, live your life to please only yourself other than to make others happy. She freed all worries, stress, and anxieties that has been placed upon her shoulders. English, Director: This film is eye opening!!! Ive gone thru the mishaps, the joys and out the other side. A black male who hates black women usually dark skinned black women usually learn that hatred from their black mothers. (Johns is so delightful in this role, I need Netflix to immediately greenlight a spinoff TV series for tweens just about her character.) A fight, a breakup, a bump at work, and it's clear that the smooth path she and her mom laid out for her isn't going to happen. 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