SITE TOOLS
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Disappearing Acts, 2000, 156 minutes, Rated TVMA
By Fatima Foster HBO finally
took the plunge and moved from its standard docu-dramas and made a movie based on a
fictional work. It’s easy to see why HBO chose the best-selling novel Disappearing
Acts written by Terry McMillan, considering the box office success of her other books:
Waiting To Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
When word came out that HBO planned to produce this project with Wesley Snipes’ Amen
Ra Films and that Snipes would play leading man, Franklin Swift, there were some mixed
reactions from sisters. Does Snipes have the appeal of the “Mister-Fix-It” that
they imagined in the novel? As Snipes peels off his T-shirt and reveals his well-defined
pecs, you'll see that no harm was done when Snipes, as co-executive producer, cast himself
in this sexy role.
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© HBO
Wesley Snipes (Franklin Swift) and
Sanaa Lathan (Zora Banks) |
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Playing opposite Snipes is Sanaa Lathan,
who reunites with both Snipes (from Blade) and Love and Basketball director, Gina
Prince-Bythewood. You may also remember Lathan from The Wood and The Best Man. This time
she portrays Zora Banks, a music teacher pursuing a singing career. While moving into her
new Brooklyn apartment, she meets Franklin, a construction worker with big dreams of
owning his own business. They both make it clear in the beginning how important it is for
them to achieve their career goals. |
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After an evening of sizzling sex - it’s on! Zora and Franklin
instantly become the happy couple. Although there are some hot sex scenes, their
relationship is actually revealed during sweet moments over games of Scrabble. Those are
my favorite parts of the movie because it reminds me of some real folks in real
relationships and there is more chemistry between the lead actors during those scenes. |
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Just as Zora makes embarks on her
singing career by hooking up with a record producer, Franklin drops some heavy news. The
brother has some educational and financial issues (just to name a few). Zora has a few
secrets of her own that she kept from Franklin. The two realize that they are in love so
they decide to tough it out. However, things always seem to get rocky when money gets
tight. Will their love conquer all? Or will it do a disappearing act? If you read the book
you know how it ends. I won’t say anymore for those who haven’t. |
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Short Cuts
Disappearing Acts Premiere Party Photos
Disappearing Acts: Book Review
Meet Casting Director Jaki Brown-Karman |
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Overall, I enjoyed Disappearing Acts. While Lathan does a better job of
portraying a basketball player than a singer (you will know instantly that Lathan is
lip-syncing - vocal credits go to Melky Jean, Wyclef's sister), she is a good actor and
her skills are displayed here. Conversely, Snipes was not oozing that sexy thing that he
usually does on screen. Something was missing. I can’t put my finger on it exactly.
Wait, I know. It’s the hair. I love me a baldheaded brother (be still my heart), but
a baldy just wasn’t working on Snipes. Don’t get me wrong; I’m a fan of
Snipes. He won me over in Mo’ Better Blues, New Jack City and Waiting to Exhale. I am
very happy to see him as a romantic lead opposite a black woman. It’s long overdue.
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To Buy
The Disappearing Act Soundtrack
Click Here
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Disappearing Acts puts Terry McMillan in
the co-executive producer seat while Lisa Jones (The Wedding) penned the script. Other
cast members include Regina Hall and Lisa Arrindell Anderson as Zora’s supportive
girlfriends. John Amos and CCH Pounder portray Franklin’s parents. Clark Johnson
plays Franklin’s homeboy and Michael Imperioli is his boss. Kamaal Fareed, better
known as hip-hop's Q-Tip, is Zora’s producer. The soundtrack includes songs from some
powerful women - Me'Shell NdegeOcello, Angie Stone, Chaka Khan and Nina Simone, among
others.
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I applaud HBO for finally producing a
film about some regular black folks - so glad that they went beyond the pimps, hos, felons
and drug addicts. Disappearing Acts airs on HBO on Saturday, December 9th at 9:00 p.m.
(EST). M
December 2000 |
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