Rick Famuyiwa breathes a refreshing burst of air into the romantic comedy genre with BROWN SUGAR, a film that is as much a tribute to hip-hop as it is a celebration of friendship and love. Dre (Taye Diggs) and Sidney (Sanaa Lathan), best friends since elementary school, have been in love with rap music since they can remember. It has even carried through into their adult lives. Dre is making a successful living as a record executive, while Sidney has just taken over as editor-in-chief at one of the hip-hop community's most popular magazines. Somehow, romance has never been an issue between the two, until they both find new loves of their own--for Dre, it's the beautiful Reese (Nicole Ari Parker), for Sidney, it's basketball star Kelby (Boris Kodjoe). Disillusioned with the lackluster music that his label continually puts out, Dre decides to branch out on his own. Sidney gives him a loan to support his bold new venture, but it is this unflinching support that eventually begins to grate on Reese and Kelby, forcing Dre and Sidney to confront their true feelings. Famuyiwa's crowd-pleasing film is boosted by Mos Def and Queen Latifah's hysterical supporting performances.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Dual Sided - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Side 1
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Rick Famuyiwa - Director
2. Dirk Westervelt - Editor
Deleted Scenes (5)
Side 2
Full Frame - 1.33
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Rick Famuyiwa - Director
2. Dirk Westervelt - Editor
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Music Videos - 1. "Love of My Life" by Eryka Badu Featuring Common
2."Brown Sugar" by Mos Def Featuting Faith Evans
Cameo
Dana Dane: Cameo, BROWN SUGAR (2002)
Cameo
Doug E. Fresh:
Cameo
Kool G. Rap: Cameo, BROWN SUGAR (2002)
Cameo
Russell Simmons: Producer/Media Mogul
Cameo
Slick Rick: R&B/RAP MUSIC PEFORMER
Costume Designer
Darryle Johnson: Costume Designer
Director of Photography
Enrique Chediak: Director of Photography
Executive Producer
Earvin "Magic" Johnson: Executive Producer, BROWN SUGAR (2002)
Featured
De La Soul:
Featured
Kool G. Rap: Cameo, BROWN SUGAR (2002)
Featured
Method Man: Rapper & actor
Featured
Tariq Trotter: Actor/Musician, BROOKLYN BABYLON (2000)
Music
Robert Hurst: Music, BROWN SUGAR (2002)
Review 1:
"...[A] surprisingly thoughtful and well-handled romance..."
Source: Box Office
p.58 10/01/2002
Review 2:
"...[The film] sustains the charm of an early 60's New York romance..."
Source: New York Times
p.E26 10/11/2002
Review 3:
"...A sly and sophisticated romantic comedy with a depth of characterization matched by its appreciation of the world of hip-hop..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.C6 10/11/2002
Review 4:
"...Sufficiently smooth, sexy and tuneful....Parker and Kodjoe sizzle..."
Source: Variety
p.23-4 10/07/2002
Review 5:
"...A romantic comedy, yes, but one with characters who think and talk about their goals, and are working hard on decisions....It's observant..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.35 10/11/2002
Review 6:
"...A film whose tough choices and bittersweet ending keep it real..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.61 02/14/2003