Review of I Think I Love My Wife (2007) by Jeff B — 29 Jan 2013

As first-rate stand-up comedian and awards show host, Chris Rock has demonstrated a definite knack for hilariously wry social commentary. Between the gangster rap yarn CB4, presidential comedy Head of State, and Heaven Can Wait remake Down to Earth, Rock has demonstrated the same knack as film writer/actor?but his end results in this arena are never as funny as their premises. The occasionally humorous I Think I Love My Wife only solidifies this theory. In writing and directing the whole comic she-bang, Rock proves that he is more of an idea guy than auteur. Though his efforts result in the best film of his short oeuvre (which, sadly, is not saying much), the overall vehicle feels like it should have been a lot funnier based on its promising hook.

Based on the film Chloe in the Afternoon, the R-rated I Think I Love My Wife finds a bored businessman (Rock) flirting with the idea of throwing away his perfect suburban life with his beautiful wife (Gina Torres) and kids to sleep with a friend?s sexy ex-mistress (Washington).

Very recently, Rock?s creative capacities as Idea Guy have given us The CW?s critical darling Everybody Hates Chris, which is loosely based on his childhood. Now pulling focus on his real-life role as husband/father, his new movie is also a slice of life, albeit not as earnest. Laugh-out-loud comedy, however, never rises out of this stew?-possibly because Rock is overtaxed, wearing every hat from head chef to bottle washer. Audiences deserve more yuks from such a gifted comedian.

Bottom line: I Think I Don?t Love This Movie.