Just Wright (2010)

"...fans will be pleased by additional proof that Latifah is a lovable Queen but not a pampered princess.  Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
"A very rare contemporary romantic comedy that doesn't succumb to terminal stupidity.  Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Editor's Note When NBA All-Star Scott McKnight (Common) suffers a debilitating injury, tough-talking physical therapist Leslie Wright (Queen Latifah) pulls out all the stops to get him back on his game. But their professional relationship turns personal when Leslie finds herself falling for Scott, and discovers the feeling may be mutual. Paula Patton co-stars in a romantic comedy penned by Michael Elliot and directed by Sanaa Hamri.

	Paula Patton
	Pam Grier
	Queen Latifah
	Phylicia Rashad
	Common
	Kendrick Scott - Co-Star
	Elton Brand - Co-Star
	Divine Compere - Co-Star
	Laz Alonso - Co-Star
	Mehcad Brooks - Co-Star
	Terence Blanchard - Co-Star
	Paolo Montalban - Co-Star
	Jalen Rose - Co-Star
	Richard D'Alessandro - Co-Star
	Stuart Scott - Co-Star
	James Pickens Jr. - Co-Star
	Peter Hermann - Co-Star
	Michael Landes - Co-Star
	Julia Michels - Music Director
	Mark Ellis - Stunt Coordinator
	Tomasina Smith - Makeup
	Blair Breard - Production Manager/UPM
	Taurance F. Williams - Hairstylist
	Iasia Merriweather - Hairstylist
	Marv Albert - Co-Star
	Lisa Coleman - Composer
	Susan Kaufmann - Set Decorator
	Wendy Melvoin - Composer
	Brad Arensman - Post-Production Supervisor
	Terry Stacey - Director of Photography
	Louise McCarthy - Makeup
	Oliver Cary - Camera Operator
	Cameron Frankley - Sound
	Gregory H. Watkins - Sound Re-Recording
	Michael Elliott - Screenwriter
	Inc. Look Effects - Visual Effects Designer
	J. Stanley Johnston - Sound Re-Recording
	Christo Morse - Assistant Director
	Ai-Ling Lee - Sound
	Rupak Ginn - Co-Star
	Kenny Smith - Co-Star
	Dwyane Wade - Co-Star
	Neville Page - Voice
	Lindsay Michelle Nader - Co-Star
	Dwight Howard - Co-Star
	Rashard Lewis - Co-Star
	Bobby Simmons - Co-Star
	Rajon Rondo - Co-Star
	Michael R. Fratello - Co-Star
	Kim Strother - Co-Star
	Leo Allen - Co-Star
	Fabian Almazan - Co-Star
	Ben Street - Co-Star
	Brely Evans - Co-Star
	Tim Walsh - Co-Star
	Rod Thorn - Co-Star
	Leo Ehrline - Co-Star
	J.J. Thorne - Co-Star
	Allen Iaccarino - Co-Star
	Joe Felix - Co-Star
	Marty Krzywonos - Co-Star
	Lauren Dellolio - Co-Star
	Deborah S. Craig - Co-Star
	Otis Best Jr. - Co-Star
	Larkey Cummings - Co-Star
	Gustavo Cunha - Co-Star
	Kedric Dines Jr. - Co-Star
	Corey Elvin - Co-Star
	Andrew Lewis - Co-Star
	Carter Lewis - Co-Star
	Michael Murry - Co-Star
	DeAndre Pierre - Co-Star
	Lance Rivera Jr. - Co-Star
	Iman Watson - Co-Star
	Elijah Wright - Co-Star
	Sanaa Hamri - Director

Entertainment Weekly
"[F]ans will be pleased by additional proof that Latifah is a lovable Queen but not a pampered princess. The hoops set can enjoy some courtside action with real pro players." -- Grade: B 05/21/2010

Chicago Sun-Times
"Sure, the movie is a formula. A formula that works reminds us of why it became a formula." 05/12/2010

Los Angeles Times
"[T]he reason JUST WRIGHT works is simple: It finds ways to let familiar characters move around inside a familiar premise like living, breathing, likable human beings." 05/14/2010

Box Office
3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Latifah has more from-the-block charm and cred than a dozen J-Los and she's served well by Michael Elliot's script..." 05/13/2010

New York Times
"JUST WRIGHT is really a star vehicle for Ms. Latifah, who squeezes every last ounce of smiling, good-hearted charm from her intrepidly nice character." 05/14/2010

Sight and Sound
"[The] leads are charismatic...the comedy is rooted in character and dialogue rather than cheap gags...even Common's basketball sequences seem credible." 11/01/2010

Chicago Sun-Times 7 of 10
One reason people like Queen Latifah is that she likes herself. In most of her roles, she radiates cheer. She can play grim, as in Bringing Out the Dead, but she has a natural sunniness that makes me, at least, feel good. And she is a real woman, not a skinny woman with too many sharp angles. Jennifer Aniston, who looks perfectly great, makes me worry about her about her self-image when she talks about the baby food diet...Latifah has never been fat. She has always been plus-size. There is a difference. She is healthy, fit, carries herself with confidence, and looks terrific in Just Wright in the kind of clothing a physical therapist might feel comfortable wearing. If you're dragging around feeling low about yourself, you want to know her secret...This is not a discussion of the Queen's body, however; it's about the whole gestalt. One of the reasons she's the star of Just Wright is that few people, and certainly no one in this film, can hold the screen against her. As with many other stars, when she's in a shot, it's about her...After Scott gets a knee injury and Leslie becomes his special duty therapist, the trick is to not rush in the direction the movie is obviously moving. Director Sanaa Hamri accomplishes this. She and writer Michael Elliot add enough detail and actual dialogue (you know, people talking about things in more than one syllable) so that we enjoy the growing closer process. Paula Patton's Morgan is a self-centered egotist and no good at care-giving, but hey, that's built into the role...Hamri is herself an actor-director, with an interesting background; she directed two of Prince's TV specials, and the very good Something New (2006), starring Sanaa Lathan (no relation). That was another film about a woman and man gradually discovering they're in love, which is always more fun than the first-sight deal. Here Common isn't called upon to do much heavy lifting in the acting department, but he plays well with Queen Latifah. Sure, the movie is a formula. A formula that works reminds us of why it became a formula. - Roger Ebert