No matter how much we like Gabrielle Union, she has become one of those actresses who seems to play the same role over and over. First is was the sassy sidekick in teen flicks like “She’s All That” and “10 Things I Hate About You.” That was before she became the sassy co-star in the penultimate cheerleading flick “Bring It On.” After that she fell into either the uptight, career woman who couldn’t get a man, the romantic lead or the femme fetale in films that run together in your mind if you’re not careful…. Here are just a few: “The Brothers”, “Two Can Play That Game,” “Deliver Us From Evil,” “Breakin’ All The Rules,” “Daddy’s Little Girls,” and “Perfect Holiday. And in another twist that made us think that we were watching the same film over and over, she was often cast opposite Morris Chestnut. As I watched “Perfect Holiday” with my family over the holidays we all wondered aloud: just how many times have those two worked together? (Oh, and before I forget do skip “Perfect Holiday,” even if it is on cable, pay-per-view, or someone offers to let you borrow the DVD.) Note to Hollywood, please stop pairing these two for at least a decade. Anyway, I suspect that Gabrielle is aware of the rut she has gotten herself into and is not waiting for Hollywood to come calling with more of the same (or worse some mess like “The Honeymooners” or “Meet Dave”). She has teamed with writer/producer Frank Spotnitz of X-Files fame (as well as the short-lived remake of “The Night Stalker”, which also starred the actress) to develop a procedural drama for NBC. Gabrielle would be the star. That’s all good news. Unfortunately, the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) is voting to authorize a strike this week according to the Los Angeles Times. That means, this series could sit in limbo for months (and perhaps not get to us until 2010). In the meantime, we’ll get to see Gabrielle break away from type a bit as Geneva Wade (girlfriend/wife) of Muddy Waters in Cadillac Records, which opens this week. Since Muddy is being given the star treatment by the incomparable Jeffrey Wright this promises to be a Morris Chestnut-free film. Enjoy it while you can I am not sure Hollywood will read my note. Here is a behind-the-scenes-video of “Cadillac Records” (Gabrielle Union didn’t seem to make the cut though). Watch it anyway. Plus a smarmy musical montage of Gabrielle and Morris in one of their better pairings “The Brothers” :
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December 3rd, 2008 at 5:40 am
So true . . . Though I do love “The Brothers” and “Two Can Play That Game”:)
let me know what you think of her performance in this one . . .I felt like it was a bird who didn’t know she was free to spread her wings . . .
April 18th, 2009 at 12:15 am
I loved the film, and felt that Gabby Union did her thing as the overly tolerant and understanding wife. She played the character perfectly. I felt bad for Geneova, especially when she held a baby in her arms and Muddy walked in and she told him that was his child, and he kissed her and walked away. That was sad. I. didn’t feel he loved her , but wanted a good girl as his wife, and Gabby portrayed that. I, felt bad that when Little Walter tried to seduce her, she said, I know but he’s always been good to me. I, felt the conflict in the character to ignore another man’s advances out of obligation and a distorted love. Gabby did her thing. I loved she and Wright together.
Wright made Muddy sexy and rough. I, seriously doubt that Muddy had that much swagger back in the day. Little Walter was adorable. Although, his alcholism and gambling was his downfall;Short gave him humanity. The movie didn’t give Little Walter his past due respect.