30 Second Bottom Line: Friends since childhood, a record producer and magazine writer finally realize they love each other.
Tell Me More About It: A romance that fills the screen with talented, likable performers, "Brown Sugar" treads familiar territory. But it never bothered me for one moment. From the instant Dre and Sidney are shown as youngsters grooving to the beat of hip-hop music, it is clear that these two will end up together at the movie's conclusion. No surprise there, but it's a delightful journey to that happy union
Set in the Bronx amidst the growing popularity of hip-hop, "Brown Sugar" narrator Sidney waxes poetic about her relationship to the music as it parallels her relationships with men. Indeed, Dre and Sidney are intrinsically linked by their mutual love of this new musical style…Dre, a record producer conflicted by his company's preoccupation to the bottom line and Sidney, a successful music critic for a trendy magazine. Charming, albeit somewhat heavy-handed, "Brown Sugar" uses this theme throughout, comparing the evolution of hip-hop with the changing nature of Sidney's life.
Their friendship is an easy, brother-sister one. They joke about everything and have heated, knowing discussions about music. It is unnerving that they are so blind to how perfectly they belong together. Of course, if they were enlightened, we wouldn't have a movie.
Both see other people and when Dre announces his engagement, it seems that tide will turn, but it only spurs Sidney to pick up the pieces and become engaged as well. Tempers flare when Dre "sells out" by representing a laughable black-white duo who dress in Dalmatian outfits to highlight their racial merger. Eventually, Dre breaks away and forms his own independent company. His initial contact with burgeoning hip-hop artist Chris V. cements his desire to return to his roots and ultimately regain his self-respect.
The strength of "Brown Sugar" lies in its intelligent dialogue. Conversations between characters ring true and exude a bright cleverness not heard often. Indeed, there are one-on-one conversations between nearly every character in this film and each adds a spark to this well-worn story line. Chris V. expounding on "two men in the fog" in "Casablanca," Queen Latifah as the no b.s. voice of reason questioning Sidney's "massager" and Sidney's hilarious put-down on Dre's sexual prowess stand out as highlights.
Hip-hop a mystery to you? No matter. "Brown Sugar" transcends any barriers of race or musical preference by offering a sunny story graced with that universally appealing theme of love lost/love found. Well worth a look.
DVD