Two Can Play That Game (2001)

Director:

Mark Brown

Writer (WGA):

Mark Brown (written by)

Release Date:

7 September 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

An arrogant career woman plays a series of heartless mind-games with her boyfriend to "put him in line," only to discover that he has a few tricks up his own sleeve.

Plot Keywords:

Black Professional | Breaking The Fourth Wall | First Part | Black Romance | Product Placement

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Vivica A. Fox	...	Shanté Smith
Morris Chestnut	...	Keith Fenton
Anthony Anderson	...	Tony
Gabrielle Union	...	Conny Spalding
Wendy Raquel Robinson	...	Karen
Tamala Jones	...	Tracey Johnson
Mo'Nique	...	Diedre
Ray Wise	...	Bill Parker
Bobby Brown	...	Michael
Dondre Whitfield	...	Dwain (as Dondré T. Whitfield)
David Krumholtz	...	Jason
Colby Kane	...	Calvin
Amy Hunter	...	Nita
Lee Anthony	...	Attorney in Elevator
Ian 'Blaze' Kelly	...	Diedre's Man

Also Known As:

How to Make Your Man Behave in 10 Days... Or Less (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language including sexual dialogue.

Runtime:

90 min | Spain:93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-15 | Netherlands:AL | Argentina:Atp | Germany:12 | Spain:13 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Screen Gems

Goofs:

Continuity: The bouquet of flowers is unwrapped when Shante receives them at the beginning of the movie. When the top of the convertible opens, they are wrapped in plastic. When she arrives home, they are unwrapped again.

Quotes:

Shanté Smith: Hmm, men. They like a woman in public....and a freak in private.

Movie Connections:

Features Holiday (1938)

Above Par

This would be standard middle-brow entertainment were it not for three factors that I'll discuss in a little bit. The concept, that women can be as deft "players" of the field as men, is certainly not new to most. It may be new to A level films, and it probably is new to director/producer Mark Brown, the creator of HOW TO BE A PLAYER. But it is not a concept new to almost any B level direct-to-video thriller, anything on Cinemax after 11pm, or to any newspaper. Women have almost always been better players (see Anna Nicole Smith, Leona Helmsley, that maid that married the Johnson & Johnson fortune, and almost all of the guests on either Jerry Springer, Jenny Jones, or Ricki Lake). But, this movie does have an easy going pace and sound track that combine to make it as smooth as a ride in Shante's convertible Jaguar. What makes the film stay slightly above average is the presence of the three lead thespians. First of all, let it be said that Anthony Anderson does in fact walk away with this film. He simply owns every second that he is on screen (including the out takes at the end). His natural and easy manner combined with impeccable comic timing simply makes him the de facto owner of the material, the screen, and the film as a whole. Next, Morris Chestnut, whether given a lot or a little (like here) to do simply comes off as likable. And in the main role, few actresses - good looking or not - could carry off the part that Vivica A. Fox plays. The film would not be believable were it not for this particular actresses commanding presence and astonishing good looks. She, like her character, is someone who has worked her looks and her intelligence to get exactly what she wants out of life, and she is not afraid to show it. So, if you go in not expecting too much, you will come out pleasantly surprised. A 7 out of 10.