The traditional love story is similar, no matter how you slice it. Boy meets girl. Boy courts girl. They get married and live happily ever after. And it’s from the woman’s point of view. Well, not this time. The new movie “Not Easily Broken,”
The traditional love story is similar, no matter how you slice it. Boy meets girl. Boy courts girl. They get married and live happily ever after. And it’s from the woman’s point of view.
Well, not this time.
The new movie "Not Easily Broken," adapted from Dallas-based minister T.D. Jakes’ novel by the same name, showcases a married couple’s life after they’ve jumped the broom, from the man’s perspective.
“Most movies, it’s all about the courtship. But you don’t get to see the ever after. The movie begins with them getting married, then goes into the what happens after,” actor Morris Chestnut recently told the Defender after an advanced screening of the movie.
"Not Easily Broken," directed and produced by Bill Duke, chronicles the story of Dave (Chestnut) and Clarice (Taraji P. Henson) Johnson’s love, loss and ultimate faith in each other after their first 10 years of marriage.
Chestnut, widely known by the ladies for his smile and his role as “Ricky” in Boyz in the Hood, said he was drawn to the role because it was genuine and from the heart. It just wasn’t the traditional courtship story.
Dave, a standout baseball player, was headed to the major league until an injury during college wiped out those dreams. Instead, he started a construction company, on a smaller scale than imagined, bringing in less money than imagined.
Clarice followed her dreams and glided up the corporate ladder in the real estate industry, collecting hefty commissions. She spent a great deal of time away from home, and when she was home, Clarice neglected Dave and his desires to start a family.
“Most men are the breadwinners, and most women want the kids. Those types of challenges in the movie were slightly different than the norm. Life-altering things happened, and things changed. Now they have to deal with the reality of life and marriage,” Chestnut, a California native, who also served as one of the movie’s executive producers, said.
If the flip-flopped roles were a heartbreak to the couple, add an automobile accident and an intruding mother to the mix.
Clarice suffers a serious injury, and her career is sidelined. Her mother, also a thorn in Dave’s side, blames him for the accident.
“Every marriage is going to be different and have different challenges. Every marriage is going to have something that will test the faith of the marriage. It’s not going to be a bed of roses throughout the marriage,” said Chestnut, a married father of two, whose character leaned heavily on two longtime friends throughout the trials and tribulations in his marriage.
Jakes said the idea behind the novel and subsequent movie was to make a point that “relationships are difficult” and that men are not “emotionless.” They care about their relationships too.
“It takes a lot of prayer, tenacity and commitment to work through the issues that happen in all of our lives when we pursue love and intimacy,” the bishop said.
Chestnut said working with Henson was a must.
“Taraji has something. Most people see her as (her characters in) Baby Boy and Hustle and Flow. We (Chestnut and Duke) knew if we put her as an executive woman, she could pull it off. She’s a great actress and the emotional core of this movie,” he said.
The actor-producer has appeared in many films and television shows, including: The Perfect Holiday, Ladder 49, The Best Man, Two Can Play That Game, The Brothers, G.I. Jane and Out All Night.
What’s next for Chestnut?
He will be celebrating his 40th birthday on New Year’s Day and attending President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration.
“It sunk in, but it still hasn’t sunk in. I still smile when I think about it. It’s a true sign that progress is being made,” Chestnut added.
"Not Easily Broken" opens in theaters nationwide on Jan. 9.
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