Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cute romantic comedy has a few racy scenes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The List
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
For Lewis Bond (Wayne Brady), it seems like life is moving full speed ahead. His career is a success, and he's getting ready to propose to his girlfriend. But when the big day comes she dumps him, leaving him to wonder if true love is a myth. After some soul-searching, he writes out a list of the qualities he wants in a wife. Not long after, he encounters the beautiful Cecile (Sydney Tamiia Poitier), who fills so many of his "requirements" that Lewis is soon double-checking his list in disbelief. Meanwhile, Cecile is secretly ironing out the kinks in her rocky life, including divorcing her self-centered husband (Malcolm Jamal-Warner). As their relationship progresses, Lewis starts to think that his long wait for a soul mate is over. But when the truth comes out about the plans behind their not-so-chance encounter, he feels his world crumbling beneath him yet again and wonders if true love is just a fairy tale after all.
Is It Any Good?
The List is a cute romantic comedy that will have starry-eyed viewers believing that love really can conquer all. Although the plot often borders on the predictable (boy meets girl, they fall in love, mishaps threaten their future, chance steps in to save the day), the movie is bolstered by great performances from Brady and Poitier, who have good onscreen chemistry.
That said, there's a fair amount of strong language for TV (especially for ABC Family) and several sexy scenes (including one that briefly shows a man and woman having sex, though there's no nudity), so it's best for teens and up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the media shapes our ideas of dating and romance. Are TV and movie relationships realistic? How do celebrity body images, fashions, and mannerisms influence how people think about the opposite sex? Teens: Would you want your boyfriend/girlfriend to look and act like the people you see in the media? Families can also discuss relationships in general. Is there such a thing as one "right" person for marriage?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 20, 2007
- On DVD or streaming : July 31, 2007
- Cast : Sydney Tamiia Poitier , Tatyana Ali , Wayne Brady
- Director : Brandon Sonnier
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Pansexual Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Home Video
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 20, 2019
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