A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996)

12% of critics liked it
(25 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(14,110 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 Chocolate City… 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

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Martin Lawrence
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 3, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Nov 23, 1999
Studio: New Line Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Brian Lowry, Variety
Sluggishly paced and too seldom funny...
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.
Andy Seiler, USA Today
A Thin Line Between Love and Hate takes its name from the Persuaders 1971 hit that has been re-recorded by the Pretenders, Annie Lennox and H-Town. You could have just as much fun simply playing one of them and skipping the movie.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A thin line? Not in this case.
, Film4
Tiresome stuff, bearable only if you can overlook the questionable premise and find something to like in Lawrence's Eddie Murphy-lite turn.
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.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
A ponderous vanity project that is unfunny and, worst of all, just plain boring.
Dwayne E. Leslie, Boxoffice Magazine
In showing the importance of monogamy, the film is profound enough that it could lead couples to reevaluate themselves; women will look at their new men a bit more quizzically, and men will be less likely to say "I love you" unless they mean it.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Any movie with a bar called Chocolate City can't be all bad, right?
Jack Garner, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Once it gets going, A Thin Line is moderately entertaining, but, oh my, that first hour...
Madeleine Williams, Cinematter
Martin Lawrence bites off a bit more than he can chew with his four roles in this haphazard comedy. As a result, nothing seems quite focused.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

danny d

i used to love this one but after the third viewing it didnt hold up, still decent
Leo L

Crazy funny!
Barry L

The 'nrother' element normally gets on my nerves but this was great.