A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996)
-
12% of critics liked it
(25 reviews) -
71% of users liked it
(14,406 ratings)
Writer-director Martin Lawrence billed this comic drama as his own version of the film Fatal Attraction (1987). Lawrence stars as Darnell, a hopeless male chauvinist. Darnell is a crude-but-smooth talker and lady's man who doesn't take no for an answer. He works for a nightclub called… More Writer-director Martin Lawrence billed this comic drama as his own version of the film Fatal Attraction (1987). Lawrence stars as Darnell, a hopeless male chauvinist. Darnell is a crude-but-smooth talker and lady's man who doesn't take no for an answer. He works for a nightclub called Chocolate City and aspires to be its owner. He trades VIP privileges at the club for favors from women. Though he is an expert at conning women, he sometimes worries about what his childhood sweetheart Mia (Regina King), who is engaged to marry him, thinks of his adventures. When the classy, elegant Brandi (Lynn Whitfield) steps out of a limousine to enter the club, Darnell feels that he's met his ultimate prize. She rejects his come-ons, which only fuels his appetite. He pursues her, showing up with flowers at her real estate office. He finally wins over Brandi, but she becomes obsessed with him, even taking all four wheels off his sports car to ground him from his rounds. Cutting off his engagement to Mia is not enough to satisfy Brandi, who finally administers Darnell's punishment for his misogyny. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi
- Directed By
- Martin Lawrence
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Apr 3, 1996 Wide
- Studio
- New Line Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
-
Brian Lowry, Variety
Sluggishly paced and too seldom funny...
-
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The script lacks wit and depth, while Lawrence's direction is meandering and undramatic, full of showy, over-elaborate camera movements.
-
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Too serious to be a comedy, too flippant to be a thriller, it often feels like a backhanded act of penance for the misogynist humor in the star's comedy act.
-
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
[Lawrence is] a charming, gifted comic with a killer smile, but he's way out of his depth in this Fatal Attraction knockoff, which he also co-wrote and stars in.
-
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
The screenplay is credited to four writers, and its unevenness argues that none of them were on the same wavelength.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Martin Lawrence
as Darnell Wright
-
Lynn Whitfield
as Brandi Web
-
Regina King
as Mia
-
Bobby Brown
as Tee
-
Della Reese
as Ma Wright
-
Roger E. Mosley
as Smitty
-
Michael Patrick Bell
as Marvis
-
Tommy 'Tiny' Lister
as Tyrone
-
Faizon Love
as Manny
-
Miguel A. Núñez Jr.
as Reggie
-
Charles Walker
as Officer Evans
-
Malinda Williams
as Erica
-
Daryl Mitchell
as Earl
-
Simbi Khali
as Adrienne
-
Stacii Jae Johnson
as Peaches
-
Dartanyan Edmonds
as Rodney
-
Tangie Ambrose
as Nikki
-
Wendy Raquel Robinson
as Gwen
-
Michael "Bear" Taliferro
as 1st Club Security
-
Tracy Morgan
as Bartender
-
Greer Bohanon
as Parking Attendant
-
Tom Stillman
as Officer
-
Arkay Stevens
as Officer
