“She’s a Bad Mama Jama, just as fine as she can be.”
Carl Carlton may have had Shanté Smith in mind when making this song, describing the essence of the woman who has it all: A successful career, beauty, good friends and a good man.
Or so she thinks.
In the romantic comedy Two Can Play That Game, the feisty and manipulative Shanté (Vivica A. Fox) considers herself a guru of love and relationships, but her knowledge is put to the test when she sees her seemingly perfect and faithful man Keith (Morris Chestnut) at a club with another woman.
In an attempt to save face Shanté enacts a plan to teach Keith a lesson, but gets a little schooling of her own in the process.
The movie begins with Shanté giving the particulars about herself and her accomplishments while speaking directly to the camera, which has a charming yet annoying effect by the film's end. She also introduces her friends Karen (Wendy Raquel Robinson), Tracye (Tamala Jones) and Diedre (Mo'Nique), who continually go to her for relationship advice.
So what does Shanté do when her advice about the excuse of a cheating man is thrown back in her face?
She puts her “Ten Day Plan” into action, inspired to punish any man and make him beg on his knees for forgiveness.
It starts with initiating the breakup, followed by a series of steps including not returning his phone calls, showing up at his home unannounced and sexily dressed and making sure he sees you with a man who's more handsome and successful than he is.
But what Shanté did not count on was Keith being advised by his friend Tony (Anthony Anderson), who anticipates her every move and counters them with some of his own. Things go from bad to worse when Keith shows up at a party with her nemesis Conny (Gabrielle Union), which embarrasses Shanté to no end. But instead of clocking her with a right hook to the jaw as she fantasizes, Shanté continues with her plan to conquer her man in hopes of the outcome returning in her favor.
While this film promotes positive African-American images, there are definite drawbacks that are hard to ignore.
On the positive side, Vivica A. Fox turns in a convincing performance as the female lead, proving her acting talent. Along with the comedic relief of Mo’Nique and Anthony Anderson, the three succeed in carrying much of the film.
Just the opposite can be said for Morris Chestnut who, while very appealing to the eye, had no depth and basically recurred a role from an earlier film.
The battle between the two lovers leaves very little room for romance, and no room for sympathy for Shanté or Keith. But if you can set aside the heavy product endorsement and shallow characterization, you'll have a light date movie that's sure to spark conversation at the dinner table.
Grade: B-
R, 90 minutes
