Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Think Like a Man

MPA Rating: PG-13-Rating (MPA) for sexual content, some crude humor, and brief drug use.

Reviewed by: Brian C. Johnson
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Very Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Romance Comedy
Length: 2 hr. 2 min.
Year of Release: 2012
USA Release: April 20, 2012 (wide—1,800+ theaters)
DVD: August 28, 2012
Copyright, Screen Gems, Sony Picturesclick photos to ENLARGE Copyright, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Copyright, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Copyright, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Copyright, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Copyright, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Copyright, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Copyright, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures
Relevant Issues
Copyright, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures

love

TRUE LOVE—What is true love and how do you know when you have found it? Answer

marriage in the Bible

Is formalized marriage becoming obsolete? Answer
Some people are convinced that traditional marriages don’t work and that this practice should be abandoned. What does the Bible say about marriage?

Sex, Love and Relationships
Learn how to make your love the best it can be. Discover biblical answers to questions about sex, marriage, sexual addictions, and more.
Featuring Taraji P. HensonLauren
Michael EalyDominic
Jerry Ferrara … Jeremy
Meagan Good … Mya
Regina HallCandace
Kevin HartCedric
Gabrielle UnionKristen
Sherri ShepherdVicki
See all »
Director Tim Story—“Fantastic Four,” “Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” “Barbershop”
Producer Screen Gems
Rainforest Films
See all »
Distributor Screen GemsScreen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment

“Let the mind games begin.”

Sequel: “Think Like a Man Too” (2014)

A little over a year ago, I happened upon a review of a book called Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. I was intrigued by the title, but grew even more interested when I noticed the cover photo, and it was a picture of funnyman Steve Harvey, a comedian-turned movie star-turned radio host-turned emcee of every BET Gospel Celebration—and I thought to myself, this book has GOT to be funny! Imagine my surprise when I paged through the book and here was Harvey giving relationship advice to women, and he was being SERIOUS. I was shocked, quite frankly! So too surprised are the men of “Think Like a Man.”

This film stars just about everybody in Black Hollywood, but the central figures are Dominic, Jeremy, Cedric, Michael, Zeke, and Bennett who are lifelong friends (Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Kevin Hart, Terrence Jenkins, Romany Malco, and Gary Owen, respectively) who are miffed to learn that Steve Harvey has betrayed men everywhere by letting women into the inner thoughts of men. When the boys learn that each of their women has been following the book’s advice, they set about a plan to undo what Steve Harvey has done.

All in all, this is one funny movie—Kevin Hart (“Soul Plane,” “Along Came Polly,” “Fool’s Gold”) is the true breakout star here! Even though it is an ensemble cast, Hart steals the show. The central message is great—finding love and making relationships work. Sadly, the message gets clouded in the thought that love is a game of winners and losers.

I could take much time describing all of the negative stuff for Christian audiences, but rather than waste words—bad language, raunchy and mature themes, some brief drug use—all par for the course for this type of film. Please do not be fooled by the PG-13 rating. THIS MOVIE IS FOR ADULT EYES ONLY!

Violence: Mild / Profanity: Heavy—“G-damn” (5), OMG (3), “For Christ’s sakes,” plus various vulgarities / Sex/Nudity: Heavy

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive

none

Negative
Negative—When I saw the previews of “Think Like a Man” I expected the movie to be funny, yet insightful, on how men and women should approach relationships. And since the movie was based on Steve Harvey’s book on relationships, which I never read, I though it would be a good movie. However, a lot of the advise given by Steve Harvey contradicts what the Bible says about relationships. For example, one of Steve Harvey’s rules is to give a man 90 days before sleeping with him, when the Bible says to be married.

What was probably most bothersome about the movie was the abundance of fornication. One women sleeps with the man after the first date. Another women is living with her man waiting for him to propose. Even one of the men’s mother has a deacon of the church leave her bedroom, to her son’s surprise. Furthermore, there is a lot of foul language and adult humor. I wouldn’t recommend this movie for a young Christian seeking advise on relationships.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Carmen, age 19 (USA)
Negative—I saw this with some members of my family over the weekend without paying any attention to the rating description. The movie starts with a suggestive subject and continues to incorporate this theme throughout the movie. The movie has Christian elements in it, but having sex before marriage does not seem to phase any of the characters. I know Steve Harvey claims to be a Christian, but I don’t see the life styles of the characters representing that, though Jesus is mentioned pretty frequently. Some parts are funny, but the humor depends to much on using the Lord’s name in vain before the punch line, and I felt a little guilty trying to hold back the laughter.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
J-dawg, age 26 (USA)
Negative—This movie does not espouse true Christian values, in any way. I am amazed at how tepid the reviews are on all the Christian review sites. I suppose no one wants to offend today. Would you see this movie with -No! Would you see this movie with your mother—I hope NO! Would you see this movie with a new believer in Christ—definitely NO! Steve Harvey’s intentions cannot be evaluated by me, only Christ. The ways Christ chooses to reach unsaved/lost individuals, he chooses. However, I cannot give one good point to this movie, if it is kept in the “Christian” category of reviews. It is a total fail and every Christian should protest it, by not going to see it and taking the book back, if you bought it. Be careful, for wolves will come in among the sheep and seek to devour and deceive!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Jason, age 35 (USA)

PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.