Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day (2012)

The acting for the leads Blair Underwood and Sharon Leal was pretty good although at times he was not so great as I would think there would be more sympathy for his wife. The police officer from her home town was believable. But the rest of the actors were really not very good, often over the top. The female detective was just too much.And I thought it would have more of a Christian theme but frankly I don't see how that contributed very much at all to the plot. Unfortunately it seemed to just be tacked on, was very superficial. I watch lots of movies that aren't specifically Christian but to seem to be Christian but not really have anything to do with true faith was disappointing.

First things first, it was made on a low-budget but for what in lacked in special-effects and exotic locations it made up for with content and fine acting. An affluent young couple's daughter is kidnapped from their home with no signs of violence or a struggle and the investigation into her disappearance unleashes a can of worms of epic catastrophic proportions that shakes the very foundation of their marriage. I thoroughly enjoyed this film because of its unpredictable twists and turns and of course Pam Grier's scene-stealing antics as a bounty-killer style New Orleans detective. Sharon Leal and Blair Underwood sharing amazing chemistry and screen presence as the afore-mentioned couple and both give riveting performances. It's a must-see in my opinion, especially for couples with children.

This is a really good movie that won't be seen by as many people that would like it, because they are of the Caucasian persuasion and it's an "African-American" movie. My wife and I see a lot of movies. We judge a movie by many things, but skin color doesn't play into it. This movie is a story of a troubled marriage, a commentary on the meaning and need for faith, and a helluva good mystery/detective story. Blair Underwood plays David Ames, history professor and upper middle class mover and shaker, who has the ear of the mayor. He carries the role off on just the right note. Sharon Leal plays his wife Kari, beautiful partner, stay-at-home mom of nearly 7 year old daughter Mikayla , and perfect hostess/ homemaker. There seem to be some secrets however, and then Mikayla is kidnapped. Who took her? Why? Does it have to do with the secret past of Kari, that threatens to tear apart their marriage and cost them their daughter? Leal plays Kari as she starts to disintegrate, with notes of despair, anger, fear that are very convincing. Pam Grier plays Detective Barrick who is in charge of the investigation. She has one of the best lines in any movie I've seen recently, "That's Detective Bitch to you!" Nicoye Banks plays an FBI agent with an old connection to Kari. T.D. Jakes is there as the man of faith. Watch Nichole Behair as Beth, and Patrick Weathers in a role you won't forget. Wrap this all in shots and sets that take you into New Orleans upscale and down, and beautiful cinematography. This is a damn good movie most people won't see. I'ts only in one theater in all of the Cleveland area.

I read about this movie in L.A. Times and then on the Chicago Tribune's website, and I wanted to make sure I supported it. From the trailer, it doesn't look like the typical black film full of stereotypes and a plot that leaves much to be desired. I've been a Blair Underwood fan since I was a kid and think Sharon Leal is a great actress. The movie is about a married couple whose daughter is kidnapped but in order to find out who the criminal is who did it, they are forced to deal with their own deeply hidden secrets. I had my own opinions on who the kidnapper was and I was surprised I was right because I kept second-guessing myself, which is a good thing because a predictable plot is no fun. But the secrets the wife was hiding were definitely unexpected. I wasn't sold on Pam Grier playing the tough cop or her New Orleans accent ("that there" seemed like a stretch), but it was good to see her in a new film. I'll definitely buy the film when it releases and hope that Hollywood will let it show up in more theaters.