Set against the fast paced world of Basketball Just Wright hits most of the right notes as it stars Queen Latifah as the unlucky in love, thirty something Leslie Wright. Leslie is a sports therapist who scores the job of her dreams when she starts working with NBA star Scott McKnight (Common). Over time, Leslie starts to fall in love with basketball star McKnight; yet there is one obstacle to overcome: Leslie’s gorgeous best friend Morgan (Paula Patton.) Morgan aspires to be nothing more than a trophy wife of an NBA star. Will Leslie ever be more than just a friend and will Scott notice that the woman he really wants is under his nose? Queen Latifah is as sharp as ever providing quick witted one liners and Common charms us with his smooth attitude. Yet it is Patton who steals the show as Leslie’s shallow and fame hungry friend. Just Wright is definitely one for the ladies as it’s full of laughs, and twists that doesn’t quite make it the predictable romantic comedy we’re used to seeing. If anything the only thing wrong with the film is the fact that you can’t help but compare it to the classic Love and Basketball; especially when the heroines have the same surname. Just Wright has more mature characters; yet director Sanaa Hamri fails to get under the surface of her characters unlike Gina Prince- Bythewood did with her 2000 flick. Although Just Wright lacks the depth of its predecessor Queen Latifah does a great job of playing the ‘woman next door’ and that keeps you rooting for her character throughout the movie. There are plenty of laughs and will they, won’t they moments to keep you and your girlfriends entertained for the evening.
Words by: Tobi Oredein
