neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Brown Sugar
	Rick Famuyiwa Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan, Mos Def, Nicole Ari Parker, Boris Kodjoe, Queen Latifah 2002		There's a nice idea lurking in "Brown Sugar," a notion about shared cultural experiences fueling friendship and romantic love. But it's buried by prolonged social and sexual shenanigans, sitcom humor and a ready-for-market hip-hop soundtrack. To be fair, the movie is wrapped up in the idea of hip-hop as a font of emotional and intellectual nourishment, so the omnipresent beats are justified. Pop music journalist Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) leaves her job at a Los Angeles daily to become editor of a hip-hop magazine based in New York — her hometown and home to record company executive Dre (Taye Diggs), her best friend since childhood. Hip-hop brought them together as kids listening to street-corner rappers. Now Dre's about to marry a hottie, to Sidney's chagrin. Her obligatory tart 'n' sassy best friend (Queen Latifah) tries to convince Sidney to admit her deep feelings for Dre; Sidney dates a pro athlete; Dre freaks, etc. "Brown Sugar" ain't dumb, but it gets tiresome watching Sidney and Dre do their little dance. Saving grace: Rapper Mos Def's comic relief.