Jumping the Broom

Cultures clash when two African American families from divergent socioeconomic backgrounds join together for a wedding on Martha's Vineyard. After a disastrous one-night stand, corporate lawyer Sabrina Watson (Paula Patton) vows to remain celibate until marriage, but then she accidentally hits investment banker Jason Taylor (Laz Alonzo) with her Audi, and the pair embark on a chaste dating relationship. When Sabrina is offered a lucrative job in China, Jason agrees to go with her—all they have to do is get married, which is easier said than done. Sabrina's snobbish parents, Claudine and Greg (Angela Bassett, Brian Stokes Mitchell), insist on hosting the celebratory weekend at their sumptuous seaside estate. “Our family was never slaves,” Claudine explains. “We owned slaves.” “You need to get down off your high horse and come back to earth—because you're black,” snaps Jason's outspoken mother, Pam (Loretta Devine), a U.S. postal worker from Brooklyn, who arrives with her late husband's brother, Willie Earl (Mike Epps), and best friend Shonda (Tasha Smith). Added to the mix is Amy (Julie Bowen), the clueless white wedding planner. Director Salim Akil's Jumping the Broom is often entertaining but ultimately uneven in its mixture of nuptial farce with melodrama. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Salim Akil and costars Paula Patton and Laz Alonso, a behind-the-scenes featurette (24 min.), a segment on “Honoring the Tradition of Jumping the Broom” (7 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a hit-and-miss film.] (S. Granger)