On B List of Movie Reviews

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Boomerang (1992)

Rate: 8
Viewed: 6/05, 7/20

Boom92
6/05: Boomerang is an enjoyable motion picture with across-the-board great performances, most especially by Eddie Murphy and Robin Givens.

Despite the sexual language, there are many good moments, and the production values are high, ensuring a worthwhile viewing experience for adults. Critics called Boomerang a comedy, but it feels like a drama to me.

All in all, Boomerang happily fulfills what has been long missing in black cinema: a frank play on sex.

7/20: Although intelligently crafted with high quality, Boomerang is strictly for adults that walks a fine line between sexy and crass.

How people talk and behave while working for the cosmetics company, it's wonder why a massive sexual harassment class action lawsuit hasn't happened yet. Their leader is Marcus Graham who fosters it with his supposedly "suave" lothario attitude. Hence, it's difficult to root for him to be together with Angela in light of the fact that he slept with the unbelievably old Lady Eloise.

At the same time, I understand Jacqueline Broyer is the female version of Marcus Graham, but is it clear that everybody is kind of gross despite his or her immaculate exterior and that there are zero males to root for unlike the characters of William Holden, Humphrey Bogart, and Cary Grant in romantic films during the 40's and 50's? They had class to begin with. Yet Boomerang gets away with all because it's such a well-made movie.

The writing, acting, and costume design are outstanding. Everybody does an excellent job of making this kind of picture that has been long missing in black cinema. Given the sexual content, Boomerang needs to be judged fairly since it's on the same level as Carnal Knowledge and Alfie.

Eddie Murphy gives one of the best performances of his career, and Robin Givens matches him beat for beat. Strangé is exactly what I think of Grace Jones: stupid and extreme. Hence, how touché the "It Stinks So Good!" fragrance commercial is. I love her director, who's played by Geoffrey Holder, and I knew he was trouble when left alone to his own devices.

All in all, Boomerang isn't for everybody, but it deserves credit.