Brown Sugar (2002)

Review by All Movie Guide
This charming but predictable romantic comedy is a pleasant viewing experience that doesn't offer much passion or excitement. Perhaps this is because the more-than-just-a-friendship between Dre Taye Diggs and Sidney Sanaa Lathan doesn't seem to be based on much more than a mutual love of rap music. Diggs and Lathan are both likeable and attractive actors, but they don't really heat up the screen in this particular film; Sidney and Dre have some chemistry as friends but there isn't enough of a spark between them or much depth to their relationship. Also, there isn't much dramatic tension in the story, which seems to be based on characters taking a long time to figure out obvious points. The people who made this film do seem to genuinely appreciate hip-hop; the characters drop the right names and the movie includes an impressive list of cameos by noteworthy musicians, as well as supporting performances by rappers Queen Latifah (who is appealing but underutilized) and Mos Def (whose quirky but affable presence is the highlight of the movie). Also, the subplot about the Hip-Hop Dalmations, an aspiring rap duo with a ridiculous gimmick, is rather amusing. Other than that, however, the film doesn't have a distinctly hip-hop sensibility; it could just as easily have been about quiet storm or jazz or another style of music. Overall this is an agreeable movie but nothing out of the ordinary. ~ Todd Kristel, All Movie Guide