Starring Chris Rock, Gina Torres, Kerry Washington, Steve Buscemi
Written By: Chris Rock and Louis C.K.
Directed By: Chris Rock
Studio: 20th Century Fox
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I remember I was about 12 when I was first introduced to Chris Rock. I was at summer camp, and someone played one of his comedy CDs. It was unbelievably offensive, raunchy, and absolutely hilarious. My friends and I avidly sought out just about anything to do with him in the subsequent months. For a while, he was a demi-god, ranking just under Adam Sandler (oh how my tastes have changed).

I understand that every comedian needs to grow up (except George Carlin, he’ll never change), but I Think I Love My Wife is without a doubt a step in the wrong direction for Rock. His last film as a director, 2003’s Head of State, was slightly flat, a PG-13 farce that didn’t go nearly as far as it really should have, but with his newest film, even an R rating can’t bring back the Rock I used to love. And the shame of it all is that while watching the film, I could see little remnants, one-liners or small rants that were filled with all the anger and passion that made Rock a star. However, this is his attempt to grow up, to deal with grown-up things like infidelity and investment banking.

Ostensibly a remake of Eric Rohmer’s Love in the Afternoon, Rock gives his film a black spin, while still dealing more with love and romance more than race. Part of the film’s problem is that it wants to be a comedy, but is set in such a dramatic and serious storyline. In fact, if you took out all of Rock’s voiceover narration, it wouldn’t be a comedy at all. Instead it would be a bland retread of a classic French film. Even at 90 minutes, the film begins to sink about 40 minutes in, with the plot already established, it plays upon Rock’s characters indecision as to whether he wants to initiate an affair with his old friend’s ex-girlfriend. But ultimately there is something so obviously American Dream about the film that I could tell almost right off the bat that he wasn’t going to actually cheat. He couldn’t. This is an American film. And for that reason, half of the fun of the movie is already gone.

I know that Chris Rock won’t be the same comedian he was over a decade ago, but I hope that he hasn’t completely lost his edge. Even in this film, there’s something he’s stirring that needs just a bit more freedom to really come alive.

Features:
Audio Commentary by Chris Rock
Alternate and Deleted Scenes
Bloopers
I Do Love Making This Movie Featurette
Fox Movie Channel Presents Casting Session

Audio:
English Dolby Digital Surround

Video:
Widescreen 1.85:1

Subtitles:

Favorite Scenes:
Rating: R
Running Time: 90 minutes
Extras Rating:
Overall Rating: