Rocky Road (2001) User Reviews (9)

Very Good Movie

[edwinawal · 7 April 2002]

I saw Rocky Road in NY right after the terrorist bombings and really liked it. Finally someone, even if it was a white guy, made a movie that addresses some of the issues we professional black women deal with. It's the only race movie I've seen told from a black woman's perspective. I really liked seeing a strong black family going through some real contemporary problems.

I thought the acting was very good, especially the lead woman and her parents. Finally, we get to see some diversity in black woman's roles. As a college graduate, it's nice to see a smart black movie that tackles some issues with intelligence without placating white men. I even saw some symbolism, which is so rare in film's today. If you get a chance, you should check it out.

Some funny moments and a couple of touching scenes.

[powergeek · 7/10 · 2 March 2002]

I saw this movie at the AMC Empire in Times Square right after 9/11. The theater was almost empty. Don't worry...you didn't miss anything great. Same ole same ole white/black thing, although there were some clever moments and a few times I was touched. The lead male, Will Wallace, did a good job (I just saw him in "The Thin Red Line")as did the lead girl's father, Robert Wisdom (I just saw in "Storytelling"). I also thought the bitter sister was rather talented although I've never seen her before. The lead girl was weak and flat as were many of the other characters.

The direction seemed amateurish as well. One shot in particular I will even go so far as to define as shocking: we view a table full of black family members (including the girlfriend) from the white boyfriend's POV. When we cut to the boyfriend, we cut to a 2 shot of the boyfriend AND the girlfriend...YES!...it's true...It actually happened that way! I almost chocked on my popcorn on that one!

Overall, I left with a nice feeling...especially with the recent tragedies. If you are bored and looking for something to see, I guess I'd recommend it. Don't expect "Dr. Zhivago".

Possibly the worst film I've ever seen.

[DonMarc · 1/10 · 25 February 2002]

I decided to try out a movie I knew nothing about...and paid the price with this one. I've never seen such an obviously amateur film make it into movie theaters, the producers and director get credit for making it as far as they did. This is kind of movie you stumble upon on Cinemax-7 at 4:45 on Monday morning, watch 10-16 minutes, cringe, maybe make fun of it if someone's up with you, and forget. Unfortunately, I got stuck with 90 minutes of this garbage.

Reportedly this movie is based on the director/writer's actual life story, and starring his real-life wife. It's about a white guy who marries a girl of some sort of West Indies origin. I sure hope this guy's life is more interesting then this film makes it appear. The poster said his wife won some sort of acting award. I guess. She has the range of a postage stamp. None of the actors are remotely appealing, and they all fall into the most basic of stereotypes. The bumbling fiance, the overbearing father, the brother who doesn't trust the fiance, the wise girlfriend and her uber-wise mother, and the slutty ex-girlfriend all make appearances, with ability matching the average actor in a soft-core porn. Not acceptable.

The plot is terrible, basically "it's hard to marry a black girl". After such excellent films as Jungle Fever, this is an insult to people of both races. This has the kind of plot where everything magically happens at the right time, and the actors react in the most obvious way. There are no layers to the plot, and everything's on screen.

The worst part is the direction...Cunningham has a fine career waiting for him in retail, no doubt, but directing is not for him. The film is so badly lit, shot, and edited that it honestly looks like a high-school film class project. Sets are visible, boom mikes dip down, and any sense of continuity flies out the window during the opening credits. Music sounds like it was composed on a Casiotone, and even the titles look bad.

I'd warn you not to watch, rent, or otherwise subject yourself to this film, but I get the feeling you probably won't have to. I saw this on opening day at one of the busiest theaters in the world, and I was with 5 other people, 3 who walked out. A DVD release is probably not in the cards. If this one pops up on Cinemax late at night...watch, laugh, and RUN.

A"by the book"interracial romance..tame on the romance...

[wm_Howell · 1/10 · 17 April 2002]

A friend of mine who works at one of the theatres this film was playing at invited me to tag along just on her recommendation.

Bad move. Next time I'll do some research on what i'm about to see. The previous review on "Rocky Road" pretty much hit it on the nail review wise: ZERO chemistry between the two romantic leads, stiff characters and very predictable dialogue.

one observation during the whole movie the antagonistic sister Tina is so against John and Talia being together she offers nothing more towards the end other than: "I dont know". Wow. informative...Lets see why she's so militant: Malcolm X books, Anglea Davis pictures on her wall, dumped in her own interracial relationship....SOMETHING!!

Even the racist dad is very lackluster from the opening sequence to a potential scene down the line that director Cunningham used the wrong angles for and could have been set up a hell of a lot better. There were MAYBE 4 laughs in the whole film and thats being generous! I think one for each person in the theatre with me and now I know why.

Dont waste your time or money on "Rocky Road" whatever format it comes out on once it mercifully dissapears from the indy circuit.

You cant get back the 90min wasted watching this film.

I loved it!!!

[dreamscount2003 · 10/10 · 15 November 2006]

I really enjoyed watching this movie. It was a great story about the misunderstandings between people â€" and not just about race. Although race was certainly the main setting and a major part, it also included misunderstandings between lovers, co-workers, friends, family â€" just about anybody who was interacting with anybody else. I liked the way the various viewpoints were presented â€" no one was totally right and no one (except maybe the white father) was totally wrong. The stereotypes from all sides were in equal proportion. The black man was grossly mishandled by the white cop who stopped him just because he was driving a BMW. Then the driver tried to get out of the situation by bribing the police officer.

The presentation was very balanced and many points were very subtle which gave it the benefit of some lessons without being preachy. I think it is a movie you would want to watch a number of times to get the full impact.

oof.

[janevelocipede · 2/10 · 28 February 2005]

didn't cunningham have a family, or friends who loved him enough to tell him not to make this movie a reality? i guess there are a couple of genuinely sweet moments, such as when they're all dancing around and even the doofy white guy gets to groove. the trailer was so promising, but the movie was just so badly edited, directed, acted, scripted, etcetera. forced-sounding lines such as "no booty for a month" just shouldn't be delegated to any aspiring young actress. cute soundtrack, though. the caribbean music was nice enough, and the string cues were somewhat inexpertly played, but surprisingly well written -- enough character to buoy up the godawful plot and script, and even manage to get the audience a little less hostile toward the film. young composer vincent calianno seems versatile and surely deserves better work. oh, and the scene where John gets hit by the car is hilarious.

great movie - smart and warm

[gobridgego · 10/10 · 15 November 2006]

I really loved this movie- especially the two sisters. Nicole Smith and Natasha Pearce were great. Where else can I see their work? Their dynamic was great-I have felt it myself.

This movie reminded me of "Something New" except that it tears down the white innocence in regards to race a la Shelby Steele. Brothers and sisters, you know what I mean.

I love the fact that it deals with some of these issues with warmth and love. I've watched this DVD 3 times and I keep seeing new things in it...

it isn't for everyone though. A few of my white friends got nasty about it...maybe it touched a nerve, Shelby. But we had some really good discussions...

I wish they'd make more movies like this one. I love seeing smart sistas.

terrible!

[flnit · 12 April 2002]

I went to the premiere in Los Angels and it took everything I had not to walk out. Everything from locations that did not fit the budget to terrible casting. Who cast this thing anyway? They should not ever be allowed to cast another film. Not taking anything away from the actors...they did fine. The problem clearly lies with the casting director's limited client list. I don't know how it made it into the theater.

Loved it!!!!!

[reginak12 · 30 March 2002]

I loved it. It had characters that I could relate to as well as a plot I found believable and interesting. Geoff Cunningham is the rare writer/director who can write a female character that has a believable arch. Although I saw it in the theatres right after the bombings in NY this film left me with the sense that in the end human beings can work it out even through their differences. Also I found the cast wonderful. I highly recommend.