I want to begin by chiding a couple of our reviewers. On the one hand, a couple of our reviewers seem to think that if a movie isn't dripping with alleluias, then it isn't telling a moral story. Others seem to think that any hint of morality makes it not a popular movie. Well, both groups of people are off base. This is a good, moral tale which represents people similar to some that I know. They're not perfect people, but they are people searching for a meaningful life and meaningful relationships. I am primarily a Buddhist, but if everyone I knew tried to live their lives as the main characters in this film, we'd be living in a better world. So if you are running away from this film because you think it may be too religious, don't; it's an excellent drama.I'm a big Morris Chestnut fan. I think he's very underrated as an actor, and I think this film really allows him to demonstrate his dramatic abilities which he successfully underplays here. It's perfect.This was also a good role for Taraji P. Henson, as Chestnut's wife, and also we get a little taste of "Cookie", she also shows some class here in some more quiet moments. She does a very nice job here.Maeve Quinlan is excellent as a grief-stricken mother and the almost-third wheel in the Chestnut-Henson marriage. Particularly toward the end of the film, she is very strong here.Kevin Hart before we really knew Kevin Hart. Shows potential here that was later realized. Eddie Cibrian plays another "buddy", and does nicely.My only real criticism here is the role played by Jenifer Lewis as Henson's mother. She beginning to get typecast in this same role...if you watch "Blackish", you'll know what I mean. She great at it, but I'd like to see her do other things, as well.The story is, in my view, fairly realistic and even a bit underplayed. That's to its credit. Yes, it has a moralistic tone to it, but it doesn't hit you over the head in a preachy way.I rarely give an "8", but this film deserved it.

Today's Thought For The Day comes from Dallas-based Pentacostal preacher TD Jakes, author of such titles as 'Women, Thou Art Loosed' and 'The Lady, Her Lover And Her Lord'. Not Easily Broken is adapted from Jakes' novel about a couple working their way through marital strife. It is unspeakably naff, unintentionally funny and unapologetically Christian. Judged on its own terms, it's a resounding success. But for non-believers it will likely prove a living purgatory.The title is taken from the Old Testament (you were expecting the Bhagavad Gita?) and refers to the sturdy three-stranded cord of marriage, with one cord representing the women, the other the man and the third, You Know Who. The knot can be undone, of course, but it is not easily broken - hey! (Although most marriages are probably more like a round turn and two half hitches.) Ten years into marriage, the cord of African-American couple Dave (Morris Chestnut) and Clarice (Taraji P Henson) has begun to fray. She's an estate agent; he's a little league coach. He wants kids; she wants to delay having children to climb the career ladder. They're pulling in different directions. Then bad stuff happens. You know something grim is coming up, because during their wedding flashback Bishop Wilkes (Albert Hall) warns them, "Life is going to try and knock you down." Nice one mate. Another slice of cake? After a car crash leaves Clarice's legs mangled, her harpie mother (Jenifer Lewis) blames Dave for the accident and moves in to help look after her - driving Dave into the arms of Julie (Maeve Quinlan), his wife's physiotherapist and a single mom. A white single mom. You know the kind of white Heinrich Himmler had in mind when he started that whole Lebensborn programme? Like that.However, as this is a spiritually-minded drama nearly entirely devoid of the sort of racial tension Hollywood pounces on given the slightest opportunity, the real issue here is Julie's single mom-ness. Because that kid is like catnip to a wannabe dad. Can the marriage survive all these outside influences? The stage is set for a shakedown between the meddling mother-in-law from hell and Our Father who art in Heaven."Do not make me go all Oprah on you" Clarice's girlfriend chides her at one point. It's too late for that. This is cornier than Kellogg's and soapier than a Persil factory. Problems include clunking plot devices (Dave's dilemma is pretty much wrapped up in one fell stroke by permanently removing Julie's 'little problem') and dialogue that makes you want to hack your ears off ("Do you know what I'm thinking? I'm thinking we need to get back to the loving part of our marriage"). Meanwhile, all our sympathies are unfairly weighted in Dave's camp as Clarice and her mum are almost completely unlikable shrews.It also endorses a strain of Christian conservatism that some may find disgusting, summed up in a central, self-pitying lecture that suggests, essentially, that the emancipation of women gave rise to generations of feeble, hinge-wristed men who, in neglecting their God-appointed roles as workers, cultivators and protectors, "turned the whole world upside down." Poor old Dave.Taking potshots is futile, really. This will find its audience no matter what. And they may take some comfort in its simplistic, optimistic messages of prayer and forgiveness amid an angry, uncertain world. Unrepentant heretics can amuse themselves pointing out the unwittingly lewd dialogue, such as Chestnut innocently recalling of their honeymoon, "We didn't come up for air for two days"; or laughing at the terrible, terrible MOR soul Dave listens to when he wants to retreat from his woes. The credits music, incidentally, features a prime example of Christian rap - exposure to which may convince you, without a shadow of a doubt, that the devil really does have all the best tunes.

Thinking that this was another "religous picture" I did not go to see it at the movies. I waited and I hated that I did not support it on the opening week. This movie was a a portrait of what the modern couple experiences. Although there were creative liberties taken , all and all this was a wonderful heart warming film that depicts realistic marriages. I felt that this could have been someone that I know. When life makes a u turn to our expectations. Bill Duke did a wonderful job. Some scenes were even cliffhangers and heart breakers. I will surely get this for my Library. This film is not a family film but it is a wonderful couple date film. Loved it , Loved it , Loved it

This movie was terrific! Great plot, subplot, writing and acting. Worth the money and would see again. Gender nor race matters when viewing this movie, everyone can relate to the family relationships, friendships, etc. The religious aspect keeps being mentioned when describing this movie but it wasn't over the top or preachy, just real. This movie is great for girls night out, date night or family viewing. The messages can touch anyone. We laughed, cried, said I know that's right, you name it, we experienced the emotion. There aren't very many movies anymore that make you laugh, cry, relate to the people around you and keep you discussing it hours later but "Not Easily Broken" does all of this and more. Deserves much more attention than it will probably receive.