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She
Hate Me, 2004, 138 minutes, Rated R
By Ramona Prioleau
Asked
to whom the "she" in Spike Lee's film "She Hate Me"
refers, one could easily conclude that the character Fatima (expertly
portrayed by rising star Kerry Washington) is the misanthrope. Then
again, it could be the stern Lottie Armstrong (Lonette McKee) who
harangues her diabetic and wheelchair-bound husband…Hmmm? With Lee,
the simple answer rarely captures the full intent of his work. Digging
a little deeper, the player hater in the film's title is more likely
Lady Justice, which occasionally turns a blind eye to the familial
rights of same sex partners and the employment rights of corporate
whistleblowers.
Director Lee magnificently obscures the sometime
opponent of broad based civil rights in She Hate Me and creates an
entertaining and provocative film that examines conception, deception
and greed. While these themes pervade the film, they define
protagonist Jack Armstrong (Anthony Mackie who charismatically
captures the multiplicities of the character).
Jack, covered in collegiate ivy and Vice President
of a biotech company, stumbles upon corporate fraud traceable to the
upper echelons of his organization. Refusing to be bamboozled,
Jack does the right thing and "anonymously" phones the feds
about his company's misdeeds. However, brother should have known that
his distinctive baritone was easily identifiable. Jack is promptly
fired by the healthcare concern.
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Much
to his consternation, Jack realizes that the feds have frozen all his
assets pending the outcome of its investigation. Enter Fatima, Jack's
ex-fiancée-cum-lesbian femdom with an indecent proposal - impregnate
her and her lover for a handsome fee. His bourgeois lifestyle at stake
and ethically challenged once again, Jack drops his pants and for some
does the right thing (albeit for the
wrong reasons).
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A reflection of the
times, She Hate Me relates its exploration of social and workplace
morality to a generation old scandal that ensnared a president. In
doing so, the film pays homage to a man to whom history was unkind.
While the film's main plot is derived from the corporate malfeasance
that has rocked the business world and glamorized the perp walk, She
Hate Me is its most salient and timely when it focuses on issues of
sexuality, child-rearing and familial relationships. Not attempting to
address all the matters facing same sex couples, She Hate Me
nevertheless provides a moving introduction to the hopes and desires
of life partners that choose to build a family. MORE >>>
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© 2004 Sony Pictures Classics
Kerry
Washington, Dania Ramirez and Paula Jai Parker in She Hate Me
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At
times wistful and at others humorous, She Hate Me is a compelling
contemporary story of corporate destruction and human procreation.
With characters that possess a bevy of foibles and traits that prevent
easy pigeon-holing, She Hate Me is well-worth multiple viewings. Spend
some time getting to know the uncompromising Fatima who wants it all
and sets out to get it. Reflect on Jack, the disavowed corporate
shot-caller who allows himself to be pimped for sperm and profit. Most
of all get lost in the irony and symbolism that Lee sprinkles
throughout his film. The cleverest being the image of the legendary
athlete and ladies' man Jim Brown portraying Jack's dad Geronimo
Armstrong painfully worn down by time and illness.
M
July 2004
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