Brown Sugar Reviews

Director and co-writer Rick Famuyiwa's follow up to The Wood treads a similar path to that pleasant drama — the onset of commitment prompting romantic reassessment — but adds a little more to the mix with a movie that doubles as a love letter to hip hop. Lifelong friends Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs) are both involved in the music industry — and their professions seem more than window dressing thanks to credibility-conferring appearances from the likes of De La Soul — and both are concerned with keeping the music real while remaining oblivious to the true nature of their feelings for one another. The plot isn't earth-shatteringly original, but the assured performances and witty script mean that you really warm to these characters and their dilemma, while the importance of music in their lives adds an enjoyable dimension to the tale (and the soundtrack).

"...A romantic comedy, yes, but one with characters who think and talk about their goals, and are working hard on decisions....It's observant..."

"...A sly and sophisticated romantic comedy with a depth of characterization matched by its appreciation of the world of hip-hop..."

Director and co-writer Rick Famuyiwa's follow up to The Wood treads a similar path to that pleasant drama — the onset of commitment prompting romantic reassessment — but adds a little more to the mix with a movie that doubles as a love letter to hip hop. Lifelong friends Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs) are both involved in the music industry — and their professions seem more than window dressing thanks to credibility-conferring appearances from the likes of De La Soul — and both are concerned with keeping the music real while remaining oblivious to the true nature of their feelings for one another. The plot isn't earth-shatteringly original, but the assured performances and witty script mean that you really warm to these characters and their dilemma, while the importance of music in their lives adds an enjoyable dimension to the tale (and the soundtrack).

"...A romantic comedy, yes, but one with characters who think and talk about their goals, and are working hard on decisions....It's observant..."

"...A sly and sophisticated romantic comedy with a depth of characterization matched by its appreciation of the world of hip-hop..."

You don't expect New York HipHop rom-coms to come quite this safe - in the non-cool sense of the word, that is. The... read more on Time Out

"...Sufficiently smooth, sexy and tuneful....Parker and Kodjoe sizzle..."

"...[The film] sustains the charm of an early 60's New York romance..."