Sometimes we forget how good we had it in the world of cinema decades ago. Imagine having Taraji P. Henson, Meagan Good, Kevin Hart, Regina Hall and Michael Ealy featured in the same movie. Well, if we take a trip back to 2012, there’d be no need to imagine because it actually happened. Some of the best Black film actors in Hollywood graced our theaters and TV screens as they showcased their incredible talent in the throwback romantic comedy movie Think Like a Man. Today marks 14 years since the movie first premiered, and we’re here to celebrate the movie’s success over the years by reminiscing over all of its greatest moments.
At the end of the day, nature’s will is inevitable, and if one thing is for certain, a man will be a man. Men will do whatever it takes to get what they want from women at whatever cost, and this film looks to show how women turn the tables against them. A group of guy friends each share different experiences with their partners. The pairs of Dominic and Lauren, Zeke and Mya, Michael and Candace, and Cedric and Kristen all have different dynamics within their relationships and must work through their issues. After famous actor and gameshow-host Steve Harvey wrote a cheat code for women where he shared the male perspective on romantic relationships and intimacy, describing the internal intricacies of the male mind and how it influences their navigation through romance, the men begin to panic as they realize that the women in their lives have figured out their tactics and used it against them to get what they want. Once the men come to the realization, they fire back by doing the exact same thing, ultimately—thinking like a man who acts like a lady that thinks like a man—I know, so confusing.
And with the addition of Kevin Hart, it makes the entire fiasco highly entertaining, giving the romantic and slightly emotionally-driven part of the film a comedic edge. The combination of amazing actors just serves as the cherry on top, tying the film together and making it the comedic gift that it is today.
The second installment of the series, Think Like a Man Too, utilizes the same ensemble from the first installment and follows the couples’ stories as they embark on a vacation wedding where they celebrate Michael’s and Candace’s union. The trials and tribulations of the character relationships along with the chaotic plot make the film quite the watch. While the second movie fails to deliver the gold that the first movie showcased, it remains a good comfort film and a great movie to generate some undying laughter. Overall, the series is great for a Friday night emotional detox, and it offers some interesting insight on the differing perspectives of love and intimacy held by both sexes.
