"NOT EASILY BROKEN"
(2009) (Morris Chestnut, Taraji P. Henson) (PG-13)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Mild	Mild	Heavy	Mild	*None
Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Minor	Mild	None	*None	Mild
Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Heavy	Minor	Extreme	Heavy	Mild

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QUICK TAKE:

Drama: A couple must deal with the various hardships that befall them and their marriage.

PLOT:

Back when Dave Johnson (MORRIS CHESTNUT) and Clarice Clark (TARAJI Darnell. HENSON) were married in 1995, their future together looked bright, especially with the blessing of their pastor, Bishop Wilkes (ALBERT HALL). Now, however, Dave's once promising but injury-derailed baseball career is just a past memory, and he runs a small home repair business. On the other hand, Clarice has been quite successful in real estate, winning salesperson of the year over her friend and coworker Michelle (NIECY NASH).

Her success, however, leaves her with no time or desire for children, meaning Dave has to do the surrogate father thing coaching little league with his friends Tree (KEVIN HART) and Brock (EDDIE CIBRIAN), and ends up disgusted that ex-con Darnell (WOOD HARRIS) doesn't treat his own son, Deshawn (NATHANIEL CARTER), the way he should.

Dave and Clarice's already troubled marriage is further strained when he's late for her awards ceremony and they're hit by another vehicle on the way. As a result, her leg is badly damaged, leaving her depressed and bitter, and her opinionated mother, Mary "Mama" Clark (JENIFER LEWIS), moves in to care for her and blames Dave for being a bad husband.

Things look up when therapist Julie Sawyer (MAEVE QUINLAN) shows up to work with Clarice. A single mom whose son, Bryson (CANNON JAY), is a competitive swimmer, Julie helps Clarice heal physically and mentally. Yet, as Clarice emulates her mother's negative view of men, and Dave's desire to be a father draws him to Bryson and thus Julie, the couple must deal with additional strains and setbacks regarding their marriage.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?

Unless they're fans of anyone in the cast, it doesn't seem too likely.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13

For sexual references and thematic elements.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:

MORRIS CHESTNUT plays a once-promising ball player whose career was derailed, resulting in him running a small home repair business, somewhat to the dismay of his more financially successful wife. With her not wanting children, he must meet his fatherhood needs via helping disadvantaged and/or fatherless kids, and isn't happy with Clarice being critical of that. He drinks, uses profanity, and ends up finding himself drawn to Julie.

TARAJI P. HENSON plays his wife, a successful real estate agent who partially takes after her mother in terms of how she views Dave and is critical about how he spends his time helping disadvantaged kids. After the car accident, she becomes depressed and bitter, thus putting further strain on their marriage.

MAEVE QUINLAN plays a physical therapist and single mom who's proud of her swimmer son and helps heal Clarice. She must put up with Brock being after her, ends up befriending Dave, and must deal with a tragedy in her life.

KEVIN HART plays Dave's married friend who's prone to emotionalism regarding women and marriage, and overacts at times (for comedic effect for the film). He drinks some and uses some profanity.

EDDIE CIBRIAN plays their other friend, a player who's going through a divorce and is already hitting on Julie, much to her dismay. He drinks some and uses some profanity.

JENIFER LEWIS plays Clarice's highly opinionated mother who doesn't like men and Dave in particular, and thus interferes in his and her daughter's marriage.

WOOD HARRIS plays an ex-con who clashes with Dave over how the former's raising his son. He gets into physical altercations, smokes a few times, and uses some profanity.

CANNON JAY plays Julie's son, a competitive and talented swimmer.

ALBERT HALL plays Dave and Clarice's pastor who tries to help fix their marriage through God.

NIECY NASH plays Clarice's outspoken coworker in the real estate business who thinks Clarice should confront Dave about his alleged infidelity despite her (Michelle's) admitted affair in the past.

NATHANIEL CARTER plays a kid on Dave and the guy's little league team who must deal with a father who doesn't care about him, at least until the end.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

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Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

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OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

The following is a brief summary of the content found in this drama that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of at least 1 partial "s" word, while other expletives and colorful phrases are also uttered. Sexually related dialogue is present, as is a sensual dream, a wife dressed in lingerie on a bed wanting to have sex with her husband, and some making out and implied, off-screen sex.

Violence consists of a bad car crash with injuries (and some bloody results), while there's also a brief fight and some other physical contact. Various bad attitudes are present, especially between a husband and wife regarding their failing marriage. Other tense family material is present, including a mother grieving over her son's accidental death.

There's some drinking and a brief drug-related comment, and a character smokes a few times. Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, there's some camera movement (occasionally a bit bouncy) at various points in the film.

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ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE

Dave returns home and wants to get amorous with Clarice in bed, placing his hand on her. She asks if he's drunk, but he says no and that he just had a beer with the guys.

Darnell holds a bottle in a brown paper bag at his son's baseball game, with Dave saying that's not allowed and there's a comment about "not drunk on your ass."

Dave and his friends have beer in a bar where others drink.

Dave comments on Darnell selling crack in the past.

Dave has a beer.

BLOOD/GORE

Another vehicle suddenly smashes into Dave and Clarice's car, resulting in a bad crash and her leg being severely damaged. She has blood from her nose, while he has various small bloody cuts on his head and some on his shirt.

Darnell may have a bit of a bloody lip after some basketball contact with Dave.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE

Dave and Clarice's marriage becomes progressively strained, leading to bad attitudes between them, while Dave and Mary (his mother-in-law) obviously don't like each other (all of this occurs throughout most of the film).

There's some contact in a basketball game, including a push and then Darnell punching Brock and knocking Down Tree. Through this and beyond into other scenes, Darnell has a bad attitude toward Dave.

Darnell treats his son badly in front of others ("before I put my foot up your ass") and then in their car where he tells his boy to wake up and stop dreaming about a good future.

Dave returns home late to get ready for Clarice's award ceremony that night, thus leading to them arguing about that there, and later in the car.

Mary blames the car accident and her daughter's injury on Dave being late that night.

A waiter is condescending toward Dave when the latter's credit card is declined, and later Clarice is mad at him for that and embarrassing her in front of her clients after she offered to pay the restaurant bill.

Despite having concrete proof, Mary instills doubt in Clarice's mind about Dave having an affair (asking why he takes phone calls outside, etc.).

Michelle admits that she cheated on her husband in the past, but that he forgave and took her back.

Despite no affair having occurred, Clarice confronts Julie and tells her to stay away from Dave.

Dave and Julie briefly but passionately kiss (clothed) on her sofa, but he then stops them and leaves.

FRIGHTENING SCENES

Scenes listed under "Violence" may be unsettling and/or suspenseful to younger viewers and/or those with low tolerance levels for such material.

Another vehicle suddenly smashes into Dave and Clarice's car, resulting in a bad crash and her leg being severely damaged. She has blood from her nose, while he has various small bloody cuts on his head and some on his shirt.

GUNS/WEAPONS

None are present, but Darnell warns Dave that if the latter returns to his place again, he better be packing (a weapon).

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR

Phrases: An incomplete use of "bullsh*t," "You get more tail than a public toilet," "Life has a way of knocking the hell out of you," "An ass is an ass," "Screwed" (nonsexual), "Who's your daddy now, sucker?" "Cracker," "Not drunk on your ass," "Get your ass over here right now," "Before I put my foot in your ass," "Nagging ass," "Are you insane?" "That would be totally sick," "That's too damn bad," "Big ass mouth," "Have you lost your mind?" "What's crackin,' y'all?" "What the hell you want?" "Punk ass," "Raggedy ass," "Do not make me go Oprah on you," "Don't go all 'Waiting to Exhale' on me," "Screw(ed) up," "Stay the hell away from my husband," "Oh hell no," "Old ass woman," "Shut the hell up and mind your own damn business" and "He was a nasty bastard."

Various guys have tattoos, including Dave and Darnell.

JUMP SCENES

Another vehicle suddenly smashes into Dave and Clarice's car, resulting in a bad crash.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE)

None.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE)

None was heard, but some songs contained lyrics that we couldn't fully hear and/or understand, thus presenting the possibility of them potentially containing something objectionable.

PROFANITY

At least 1 incomplete "s" word, 22 asses, 9 hells, 8 damns, 4 uses of "Oh God," 2 uses each of "God" and "Oh my God" and 1 use of "Christ" and "Jesus."

SEX/NUDITY

About their wedding night, Dave states it was just them and a slice of heaven, and that they didn't come up for air for two days.

Dave playfully comments on Clarice wearing his favorite, big girl sexy outfit (her work suit).

Dave tells Clarice he thought they might get a little quality time tonight (meaning sex), but she doesn't have time, while she later suggests they try out the new Jacuzzi tub (presumably for the same purpose), but he has a conflict with that.

When Dave tells his friends that Clarice said he was getting a little fat, he asks the guys if his "ass" is big. Tree says it is and then admits he's looked at it (as his pregnant wife won't let him see her naked) and that "an ass is an ass."

We see some shirtless guys playing basketball.

A comment is made about Brock's marriage failing due to him playing around. He states he doesn't do that, with a comment then made that Brock gets "more tail than a public toilet."

Dave returns home and wants to get amorous with Clarice in bed, placing his hand on her. She asks if he's drunk, but he says no and that he just had a beer with the guys. He says that it's time for them to get back to loving (meaning sex), but she says he can't come home like that and expect to have sex like rabbits all night long. He then makes a joke about the head scarf (or something similar) she's worn to bed, and she replies, "That's why you're not getting any."

Tree comments on finding his wife in the bathtub and that normally being the green light for him to "do my stuff" (presumably meaning sexual), but that it didn't happen this time.

Julie shows varying amounts of cleavage (usually not too much) in various outfits.

When Julie stops Brock's romantic advance toward her, he jokes about her cutting through the foreplay (meaning getting to the point, but throwing in a sexual comment in the process). After that, and boasting to Dave, Brock states, "I'm telling you she wants me."

We see oil-covered hands massaging bare skin, hear some sensual sounds, and then see that it's Julie rubbing that oil on Dave's bare back. He then wakes up from that dream, with Clarice suspiciously asking if he's okay, adding that he was moaning.

Dave returns home to find Clarice reclining on the bed in low-cut lingerie (showing some cleavage), waiting for him with candles lit in the room. She states that she wants him so bad and kisses on his neck, etc., but he tells her to stop. She then asks if he's sleeping with Julie, and he says no, but admits that he has feelings for her.

Clarice shows some cleavage.

Clarice and her mom talk about her father, and Mary says he cheated on her, but Clarice says he told her that he didn't sleep with the woman until his marriage to Mary was over.

Tree has apparently been kicked out the house by his wife and thus ends up in Dave's motel room. Dave has him leave, but not before Tree jokes that he's going to make his (Tree's) wife think he's cheating by staying in the motel room for 15 minutes.

Dave and Julie briefly but passionately kiss (clothed) on her sofa, but he then stops them and leaves.

Dave and Clarice make up, passionately kiss, and then lean down out of the camera shot. We later hear that she's pregnant from that or a later sexual encounter with him.

SMOKING

Darnell smokes at least twice.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES

We hear that Brock is getting divorced and that his wife is taking him to the cleaners.

Darnell treats his son badly in front of others ("before I put my foot up your ass") and then in their car where he tells his boy to wake up and stop dreaming about a good future.

Dave returns home late to get ready for Clarice's award ceremony that night, thus leading to them arguing about that there, and later in the car.

Mary blames the car accident and her daughter's injury on Dave being late that night.

Clarice is depressed and bitter toward Dave following the car accident and her injury.

A waiter is condescending toward Dave when the latter's credit card is declined, and later Clarice is mad at him for that and embarrassing her in front of her clients after she offered to pay the restaurant bill.

Clarice and her mom end up arguing with Dave about the couple's relationship.

Clarice wants Dave to do marital therapy with her, and thus they meet with their pastor, but simply continue with their bickering and arguing in front of him. Dave ends up saying he feels like he's just visiting their marriage.

Michelle admits that she cheated on her husband in the past, but that he forgave and took her back.

Dave returns home to find Clarice reclining on the bed in low-cut lingerie (showing some cleavage), waiting for him with candles lit in the room. She states that she wants him so bad and kisses on his neck, etc., but he tells her to stop. She then asks if he's sleeping with Julie, and he says no, but admits that he has feelings for her.

While we don't see the impact, a boy hits his head on a pool wall during a swim meet bad enough that it apparently results in brain death, and the mother grieves as her son is taken off life support. We then see the funeral scene, and then various scenes of the mother deep in grief, including about her last words to her son (about him having to take out the trash, rather than that she loved or was proud of him).

Dave returns home to find Mary throwing his clothes out onto the lawn. He then gets into it with her and Clarice, and states it's over and that he's moving out (we later see him move into a motel room).

Clarice and her mom talk about her father, and Mary says he cheated on her, but Clarice says he told her that he didn't sleep with the woman until his marriage to Mary was over. Mary says her husband was a "nasty bastard" who beat her. Clarice then nicely tells her mom she's kicking her out, and that she doesn't want to end up like her.

Tree has apparently been kicked out the house by his wife and thus ends up in Dave's motel room. Dave has him leave, but not before Tree jokes that he's going to make his (Tree's) wife think he's cheating by staying in the motel room for 15 minutes.

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT

Marriages and what makes them work and what makes them fail.

Affairs.

The comment that life has a way of "knocking the hell out of you."

The question of why bad things happen to good people.

Grief.

Mary's comment that when men stay in a marriage after they've left (emotionally), they become mean.

The reference that only God knows our purpose in life.

VIOLENCE

There's some contact in a basketball game, including a push and then Darnell punching Brock and knocking Down Tree.

Deshawn and another kid briefly tussle on the ball field.

Another vehicle suddenly smashes into Dave and Clarice's car, resulting in a bad crash and her leg being severely damaged. She has blood from her nose, while he has various small bloody cuts on his head and some on his shirt.

Dave throws or swipes something aside while angry (we hear it break).

Dave and Darnell play some one-on-one basketball, with contact occurring, including both knocking the other down before struggling on the floor over the ball before both give up.

Reviewed January 7, 2009 / Posted January 9, 2009

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