Getting Played (2005)

Let's say it right off: "Getting Played" is simply near-pitch-perfect. It blends heartfelt comedy and pulse-quickening sexiness so seamlessly that, at its end, one is left gasping with satisfaction. All the crucial components of this cinematic pleasure come together dazzlingly well. Vivica A. Fox--to her great credit reigning in her usually-annoying sistah-from-the-'hood mannerisms--Carmen Electra, and Stacey Dash are fiercely charming and fiercely sexy as the trio of L. A. she-babes who make a bet that they can seduce and conquer any man with the greatest of ease. Bill Bellamy is effortlessly manly and immediately likable as the man in question (who turns out to have a trick or two up his own sleeve). While there's a absolutely dreadful scene where Fox's character and her white agent--the former plays an actress in the flick--engage in fully garish "street" yammering, it's balanced out by this uber-spicy scene between Fox and this sexy, smiling, shirtless, oh-so-built black dude. Really and truly, "Getting Played" stands with "Boomerang" as being the sexiest, most engaging, most altogether professionally-made black film ever.

While there are other movies that represent these actors in a better light I did get a few laughs viewing this movie. My adult children watched with me and they could name a few ladies who fit the bill of the three characters---and that's too bad. The sound track was enjoyable, the costumes (clothes) were realistic and the comic was funny. The friend Josh is entertaining. But,there certainly will not be even a little rush to the DVD rentals by many to get this movie. The movie obviously was an attempt by the director to rush through a project--let's hope he is not remembered for this one. And, let's hope the actors/actresses did not count on this one to be the big one for their careers.

Unlike the previous reviewer, I actually watched the movie. As a matter of fact, when it started I thought I would get some things done around the house and watch it in the background but it totally got me. I had to sit and watch. The interplay between the couple and their friends was perfect. I have known people like these, playing a game instead of following their hearts in their relationships. The advice they get just pulls them farther from what they really want and creates way more conflict than ever. The chemistry between Bill and Vivica is hot when they aren't "playing the game". This is a fun, lighthearted film that is great for those times when you need a pick me up and want some sweet, old fashioned, relationship entertainment.

This move had potential, but didn't quite make the grade. I was hopeful when I read the cover of the DVD case. But, unfortunately, the directing was kinda bad. Some scenes had nothing to do with the movie at all and was a waste of time to even include. Such as the Joe Torry part. Maybe Joe simply wanted a more prominent part so they threw him a bone. But in doing so, it messed up the flow of the movie. Not that the flow was all that great before. I really hate to see a potentially good movie go to crap simply because of mistakes like bad editing and directing. I really feel this movie could've been good, otherwise. Instead, it ends up being so-so.