Critic Reviews

• Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

  It's predictable, but it jumps through the expected hoops with style and even some depth.

• Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

  A lot more dimensional and complex than its sunny disposition would lead you to believe.

• Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

  You don't have to know about music to appreciate the film's easygoing blend of comedy and romance.

• Peter Howell, Toronto Star

  Makes the sweet case that sincerity strikes the biggest romantic sparks.

• Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

  Lathan and Diggs make an immensely likable couple, and the supporting cast strikes all the right notes.

• Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle

  Takes every convention of the romantic comedy genre and turns it on its ear.

• Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

  The spirit of the old school echoes strongly throughout the film and parallels the purity of the passions and personalities of the paramours.

• Todd Gilchrist, IGN Movies

  Brown Sugar manages to take hip-hop's well-established history and make it digestible for audiences not necessarily tied directly into the core of that culture.

• Tyler Hanley, Palo Alto Weekly

  Fine performances from Diggs and Lathan give life to an otherwise rehashed love story, but musician Mos Def steals the show.

• Ron Bishow, Katrillion.com

  All in all, Brown Sugar is a satisfying well-made romantic comedy that's both charming and well acted. It will guarantee to have you leaving the theater with a smile on your face.

• Rick Kisonak, Film Threat

  The plot is romantic comedy boilerplate from start to finish.

• Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing

  Hip-hop rarely comes alive as its own fire-breathing entity in this picture.

• Adam Nayman, eye WEEKLY

  True to its title, this hip-hop When Harry Met Sally is plenty sweet, but is that what we really want from a film set in the world of rap music?

• Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat

  Brown Sugar takes an old tale and tells it in a fresh, modern way. The music's pretty good, too.

• Matt Easterbrook, Matt's Movie Reviews

  Brown Sugar is nothing you haven't seen before, but if you're into the whole New York-based romantic comedy thing, you'll probably find it a blast.

• Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

  Hip-hop has a history, and it's a metaphor for this love story.

• Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

  It's rare that a movie can be as intelligent as this one is in every regard except its storyline; everything that's good is ultimately scuttled by a plot that's just too boring and obvious.

• James Hill, BET.com

  "Brown Sugar" admirably aspires to be more than another "Best Man" clone by weaving a theme throughout this funny film.

• Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel, 3BlackChicks Review

  Brown Sugar needed a little more flavor.

• Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review

  Lathan and Diggs have considerable personal charm, and their screen rapport makes the old story seem new.

Read all 22 critic reviews