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Disappearing Acts

Disappearing Acts

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Disappointing Acts
Review: "Disappearing Acts" is Terry McMillan's best novel--even better than "Waiting to Exhale," so it's surprising that nobody bothered to give it a film adaptation until now. Nevertheless, this HBO-only special is a huge disappointment to those who have already read the book, and those who haven't read it will wonder what the big fuss was about in the first place. Sanaa Lathan gives a reasonably solid performance as a school teacher struggling with a recording career in New York City. She crosses paths with ruffneck Franklin Swift, who's still married to his estranged wife and is the father of two kids; this dude has more baggage than LAX airport. Their relationship blossoms and faces its share of many hurdles, but the movie never lives up to the promise of the book. For one, Wesley Snipes, though a very good actor in his own right, is miscast as Franklin Swift. His performance lacks the ruggedness and street-sensibility that his role requires. Treach or even Malik Yoba would make a better Franklin. Plus, the movie dodges many issues that Terry McMillan's book addresses such as domestic violence and homophobia. In the book, Franklin Swift was a vicious homophobe, who never ran out of nasty things to say about gays. The movie had every opportunity to explore Franklin's sexual insecurities, but it ultimately cops out. At this point, it takes no psychic to figure out where this review is leading: "Disappearing Acts" isn't a total disaster, but it's a very bland, safe picture that does the book no justice.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Disappointing Acts
Review: "Disappearing Acts" is Terry McMillan's best novel--even better than "Waiting to Exhale," so it's surprising that nobody bothered to give it a film adaptation until now. Nevertheless, this HBO-only special is a huge disappointment to those who have already read the book, and those who haven't read it will wonder what the big fuss was about in the first place. Sanaa Lathan gives a reasonably solid performance as a school teacher struggling with a recording career in New York City. She crosses paths with ruffneck Franklin Swift, who's still married to his estranged wife and is the father of two kids; this dude has more baggage than LAX airport. Their relationship blossoms and faces its share of many hurdles, but the movie never lives up to the promise of the book. For one, Wesley Snipes, though a very good actor in his own right, is miscast as Franklin Swift. His performance lacks the ruggedness and street-sensibility that his role requires. Treach or even Malik Yoba would make a better Franklin. Plus, the movie dodges many issues that Terry McMillan's book addresses such as domestic violence and homophobia. In the book, Franklin Swift was a vicious homophobe, who never ran out of nasty things to say about gays. The movie had every opportunity to explore Franklin's sexual insecurities, but it ultimately cops out. At this point, it takes no psychic to figure out where this review is leading: "Disappearing Acts" isn't a total disaster, but it's a very bland, safe picture that does the book no justice.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Can someone get me a cold towel.........please!
Review: Coming from England, I didn't even know that this film was made. I completely stumbled upon the DVD whilst shopping online. Yes, I have read the book and I was concerned that the film would not do it justice. How wrong I was. The film was KICKING !! It has to be said that I don't rate Wesley personally or professionally but working alongside Sanaa, the two of them just set the film on fire. The acting cannot be faulted. They seemed to make the ideal couple and some scenes are dangerously erotic, particularly the part where Zora goes to the refrigerator to get Franklin a drink...........................
I'm just wondering why it did not come out in the cinema. Is there a soundtrack available? The tunes were wicked

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Good Movie from HBO
Review: Disappearing Acts is a black love story about a woman pursuing her singing career (Sanaa Lathan) who gets involved in a relationship with an unstable man, ie...doesn't have a stable job, doesn't have an education, is still married, and can't take care of his children (Wesley Snipes). This movie depicts the ups and downs of what some blacks go through concerning relationships. Things get pretty heated up in the movie but in the end the relationship fails. But it is a coincidence that when they split up they do better for themselves and they are doing the things they should of done while they were together. It goes to show sometimes you need to get out of a bad relationship to make things right and to better yourself.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good movie
Review: Disappearing Acts is one of my favorite books. The movie was actually good. Granted some changes were made for the screen version, but they tried to stay close to the story as possible. Sana Lathan plays Zora, a teacher who really wants a music career. Wesley plays Franklin, the man who falls in love with Zora, but has to deal with the fact he has less education, less money, and he is not up to snuff career wise. The movie basically shows that no matter how in love, you can't ignore the differences in relationships. I thought Wesley did a good job in the movie. I'm looking forward to buying this one day.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good movie
Review: Disappearing Acts is one of my favorite books. The movie was actually good. Granted some changes were made for the screen version, but they tried to stay close to the story as possible. Sana Lathan plays Zora, a teacher who really wants a music career. Wesley plays Franklin, the man who falls in love with Zora, but has to deal with the fact he has less education, less money, and he is not up to snuff career wise. The movie basically shows that no matter how in love, you can't ignore the differences in relationships. I thought Wesley did a good job in the movie. I'm looking forward to buying this one day.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Michele C.
Review: Hot, Hot, Hot. Wesley Snipes and Sanaa Lathan were fantastic. They have excellent chemistry. This is the first time I paid attention to Wesley Snipes work ( I'm not a fan of Action/Adventure films) and was blown away by Sanaa's performance.

I was glad to see African American Blue Collar Workers deplicted in a roll where they weren't stereotyped as always having to struggle in life and usually having a hard time succeeding or reaching their goals.
Very realistic story with an Excellent ending!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Outstanding Movie!
Review: I found this to be one of HBO's finest. The title alone captures the intimacy of this movie. Sanaa blew me away first of all with her singing voice, it was her wasn't it? Wesley played a good role as always. Both of their attitudes seemed so real, like I was watching two people live their completely opposite lives, right next door to me. I never would have thought this movie would be this good. I applaud the movie producers, actors and HBO for promoting this. It is well worth the money and time. It is something every couple, whether your Afican American or not, should take the opportunity to watch. You can learn a lot from watching positive movies like this.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Pointless
Review: I have never read this book by Terry McMillan but I am told and sure it is better than this movie. I felt the main character Zora played by Sanaa Lathan makes ridiculous decisions in hooking up with a less ambitious Franklin protrayed by Wesley Snipes, whose character is basically a lying bum. I don't see how any female can be manipulated by Wesley's performance, and on top of that, Zora thinks she is marketable in landing a record deal in her late twenties and pregnant with a child. There are a couple of scenes that are great but they are far and between. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood has directed a pointless film that does not do Terry McMillan justice.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Disappearing Acts
Review: I loved the movie. The two characters played their roles well and a good chemistry. The movies was left so as to believe there will be a follow-up (I do hope so). Felt very moved by some of the screens.


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