Three Stranded Cord: Not Easily Broken
Written: Oct 11 '09 (Updated Oct 11 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Powerful, Realistic, Inspirational, Well developed characters
Cons: Predictable
The Bottom Line: Realistic film about surviving the trials of marriage
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| skbreese's Full Review: Not Easily Broken |
After having just celebrated my 20th wedding anniversary, I can attest to the fact that sustaining a marriage, or any kind of long term relationship, is not always easy. It takes a tremendous amount of patience, tolerance, forgiveness and willingness to persevere through difficult times. These issues are explored in depth in the 2009 family drama Not Easily Broken, adapted from the book of the same title by Bishop T. D. Jakes. The title is a reference to the bond made by a couple on their wedding day in 1995, symbolized by a 3 stranded cord woven together, that represents the three fold relationship between themselves and God; a bond that will be severely tested in their second decade of marriage.
Dave Johnson (Morris Chestnut) was basking in the glow of a promising career as a professional baseball player, when he shattered his leg during his rookie season. His wife Clarice (Taraji P. Henson) has become a very successful real estate agent, while Dave struggles to run a small home remodeling business, spending his free time coaching young kids with his friends Brock (Eddie Cibrian) and Tree (Kevin Hart). Dave and Clarice are conflicted over his desire to start a family, and Clarice's professional goals.
The couple's relationship is severely tested when Clarice is seriously injured in an automobile accident leaving her temporarily wheelchair bound, and her domineering mother, (Jenifer Lewis) who blames Dave for the accident, moves in to help with her rehabilitation. Dave hires Julie Sawyer (Maeve Quinlan), a physical therapist, and single mom, with whom he develops a close friendship, while coaching her son, that Clarice's mother misinterprets as cheating, based on her own experience of a failed marriage.
Faced with the challenges of unfulfilled dreams, conflicting goals, financial pressures, family interference, and emotional distance, Dave and Clarice seek the counsel of their pastor. He reminds them of their marriage vows and the 3 stranded cord, but will it be strong enough to salvage their marriage?
While this may sound like the recipe for an entirely predictable melodrama, this film is much more than the soapy plot suggests. Director Bill Duke explores the spiritual context of marriage; which Bishop Jakes describes as a tremendous act of faith, for which few people are truly prepared at the time they take their marriage vows. The not-so-subtle underlying message, is that marriage is not defined by the act of marriage itself, but the courage that is required to sustain a relationship over time, in the midst hardships, tragedy, and broken dreams; and it truly becomes a test of faith.
The characters are extremely well developed as they struggle with universal human conflicts including family versus career, financial inequity in marriage, sexual temptation, and interference from well-meaning family members. Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson delivers wonderful performances as the lead characters. Jenifer Lewis is superb as Clarice's bitter, overbearing mother, practically stealing every scene. The supporting cast is also excellent, as Bishop Jakes, makes a brief cameo appearance in a pivotal scene. Kevin Hart's goofy character, Tree, adds some much needed humor to temper the otherwise serious subject matter. The Blu-Ray version is filmed in 1080p high definition with English Dolby True HD 5.1 sound. The special features include deleted scenes and a short (15-20 minute) making of the film featurette. Although a faith based, family oriented film, this movie includes some strong langauge that may not be suitable for young children.
This evenly paced, 99 minute film, is one of the most honest, realistic, films about marriage I have ever seen, and explores a degree of emotional vulnerability from a male perspective, that is rarely depicted in modern films. Maybe I'm a bit biased by my own spiritual beliefs, but the same type of invisible 3 stranded cord described in this film, has certainly helped to hold my marriage together through some difficult times.
The essence of Not Easily Broken can be summed up in the final lines, "sometimes you have to let life turn you upside down, to learn how to live right side up." It is a powerful film that defines what love and marriage is really all about. In my opinion, it is a real diamond in the rough, and should be required viewing for all couples considering marriage.
Thanks to Mona for finding this on the database. For some reason it has not migrated from theaters to DVD & Blu-Ray. This is a review of the Blu-Ray version
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Family Movie
Viewing Method: Other
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Nothing
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Epinions.com ID:
skbreese
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Member: Sheila Calabrese
Location: Chattanooga, TN USA
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To err is human, to purr is feline
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