Disappearing Acts
Zora Banks is a school teacher and aspiring singer hoping to become a successful star while taking a break from heartache. Franklin Swift is a down-on-his-luck construction worker and not-quite divorced father of two hoping to start his own business. The two meet and fall in love and during the course of the stormy relationship, they both come to some startling conclusions about love and each other.
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- Cast:
- Sanaa Lathan , Wesley Snipes , Michael Imperioli , Laz Alonso , Clark Johnson , Regina Hall , Lisa Arrindell
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Reviews
A lot of fun.
Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.
The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.
Blistering performances.
When I first saw this movie on cable(not sure which channel) I taped it. I believe the title was Couple au defi. As a month or so went by, I didn't see it listed under that name anymore, then I happened to see the name Disappearing Acts, checked it out and was shocked to find that it was the same movie I thought was of a different name. Does anyone know anything about this? Perhaps it was the name of the book? Also, I posted earlier a question about the song Zora sang in the studio. I would love to know the name of it, who actually sings it and where to find it. Don't want much do I? If anyone can help with any of my questions I'd be very grateful. I really did like this movie and just to watch Wesley do anything is good enough for this white girl! Thanx, Jerri
As much as I love a good romantic comedy, I must say that it was refreshing to get ahold of a great romantic drama. Nice to see that sometimes things don't always go smoothly like in the movies, and that some films are in touch with the people of reality. I loved the love/hate relationship of Wesley and Sanaa. They both played the parts so well, and my goodness.... wash my eyes, ears, and mouth with soap, cause the love scenes were off the chain.I love Sanaa for many reasons, and she didn't let me down in this film. Once again, good to see an empowered woman in a decent script. Also nice to see a brotha that's not some high powered exec being able to get with a good woman. I'm rather tired of the old sucessful young man with a snob, and falling in love with the girl next door. This new, up-and-coming women falling in love with the man who made her floors is unique and a winner.Despite ups and downs, in which I'll admit, I was very into the film and the characters - I was very pleased with the movie at its conclusion. It was not an outrageously perfect ending like too many movies I've seen, but had a real life tone to it. A feel good movie in a very different way.One of the aspects that really drew me into the film was the musical soundtrack and the excellent use of photography for the film. There were several key scenes in which I thought the photography was so instrumental in providing me the viewer a different view of situations. Bravo to all involved in that process. As well, the music was superb, with a lot of great slow jams.This movie isn't for viewers who don't enjoy romance/drama... it was in some sense a bit much for me, but I still enjoyed the film very much. Gina - another great film, Sanaa - I enjoy no actress more, Wesley - came through in the clutch. 8/10
The book is way better and much more interesting. Of course most movies that are based on books are nearly as good as the book. The problem with Disappearing Acts is that it moved too fast. And there is hardly any chemistry between Sanaa Lathan and Wesley Snipes. Sanaa is great as Zora. But Wesley is hardly believable as Franklin. There were a gazillion other black actors out there that would've portrayed the character more true to life than Wesley Snipes. His acting in this movie was fake and if you go back and read the book and then watch this movie, you will see that he is not Franklin at all. Disappearing Acts is entertaining enough to watch, but the book is way better.
The story of two mismatched star-crossed lovers that try to make it all work until... Real love, Real life a sub theme of the movie tells the story. As has been showing up in the movies lately a great trend of showing the realities of middle class African Americans without the violence or gang nature of past films. The movie was a very good depiction of the bestseller novel of the same name written by Terry McMillian. As in her other movie depictions the sub-characters are 1-dimensional but the main characters are fully 3-dimensional. Wesley Snipes and Sanaa Lathan captured fully the spirit of Franklin Swift and Zora Banks of the book. They each turned them into visual believable characters that we had praise and sympathy for.Thanks to HBO and Wesley's Amen Ra Productions we now have another African American love story. Love Jones lead the way and it took almost 3 years for Love and Basketball to follow. We want more!!!!Sanaa Lathan continues to delight her fans by creating characters that are so real and approachable. She knows how to woo you in. The girl has skills, acting skills that is. This was a good vehicle for her sophomore leading role. Her commanding control of subtle use of facial expressions, sighs and body language are perfect for a part that calls for conveyance of thoughts without language. Again as in Love and basketball Sanaa goes beyond the basic 9-5 operation of the job, she put on 20 lbs for the role. (And still looked fabulous) This truly shows her dedication to her craft and desire to give her best. She again teams with director Gina Prince-Bythewood. I am officially classifying them as the "Dynamic Duo for the African American Woman in Film." Keep up the excellent work ladies, looking forward to your next project.Wesley Snipes gave us another side of himself as well. I found more passion and venerability in this character than his Jungle Fever or Mo Better romantic characters. Clearly his line: `The love was always real Z. It still is so there is no bad timing' was the best line of the movie. It gave us hope for a new and improved relationship for Franklin and Zora.