151. What Men Want; movie review

WHAT MEN WANT
Cert 15
117 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, sex references

What are you thinking?
How many of us ask that question of a loved one as we are driving along and they seem to be looking into space?
At some stage of a long journey, both Mrs W and I pose it to each other.
Do we always tell the truth? That rather, depends, doesn't it? We might be preparing a lovely surprise or we might have just been wondering why pigs are fat. In which case, we would make up something else.
But we would be in really dangerous territory if we could reach each other's thoughts.
Ditto, Ali Davis (Taraji P. Henson) who, after a heady potion offered by a psychic (Erykah Badu), can peer into the mind of men.
Initially, this helps her understand the ambitions of her personal assistant (Josh Brener) and the intentions of her boyfriend (Aldis Hodge).
It also allows her to first-guess the moves and motives of her work rivals
The consequences are meant to be hilarious and do raise the occasional chuckles but, in the opinion of Mrs W and me, What Men want doesn't hit the mark consistently enough.
But it is also true that Mrs W laughed for a full-minute at one particular sequence.
Henson's Ali is a high-flying sports agent with huge ambitions but believes she is being stymied because of her lack of understanding of the opposite sex.
This also plays out in her social life where she has failed to nail down a long-term relationship.
So, for all her bluff and bluster she needs help in softening her approach both at work and at home.
She thinks the answer may have arrived when she wakes up after a hectic night with the girls to find she can actually hear men's thoughts.
It is an attribute which has its advantages but can also bring a whole load of trouble.
Henson is an engaging lead as she fights for girl power but often falls flat on her face.
But the problem with What Men Want is that it follows such an obvious template that every supposed twist is predictable.
Its concept is interesting but its rich potential is unfulfilled.


Reasons to watch: Does have a few funny moments
Reasons to avoid: Lots of cliches

Laughs: Five
Jumps: None
Vomit: Yes
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 6.5/10

Did you know? In 2017, thirty-three women (out of 224 total people) took the agent certification exam administered by the NFL Players Association - the highest number of women since the exam began in 2001.

The final word. Taraji P. Henson: "I don't think this movie would have worked five or ten years ago. It's working now, because this is a conversation we're having right now. And I like that it's not a drama. I love that it's a comedy, and that people get to learn through laughter. The messages are there. But you're going to laugh while you learn." Robert Ebert

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