The newspaper advertisement for "In the Mix" is a large photograph of the R&B star Usher in a pinstripe suit, being attended by five hands. Two hands seem to be caressing him, two are grooming him and one gives the definite impression of grabbing him with intent to commit violence.
This is truth in advertising. "In the Mix," a one-dimensional romantic comedy that opened nationwide yesterday, feels like an old-fashioned vehicle picture, the kind the big movie studios used to make in the 1930's and 40's just to bring in the fans of a particular actor or actress.
In that tradition, Usher's character, Darrell, is perfect and everybody loves him. Working as a D.J. at a New York club, he is surrounded by beautiful women lusting after him. He is also a cherished family friend of Frank (Chazz Palminteri), a well-to-do Italian-American mobster, and his two children, Frankie Jr. (Anthony Fazio), one of those white boys who affect the language and dress of urban black culture; and Dolly (Emmanuelle Chriqui), a Mafia princess in a tasteful suit and pearl earrings, a year away from her law degree.
Dolly is pretty close to perfect, too, come to think of it. At a surprise party honoring her, Darrell is the only person who notices a car driving slowly past the restaurant window. Just in time, as the gunfire shatters the window, Darrell warns everyone to get down but is shot in the shoulder himself. "I can't believe you jumped in front of that bullet," says Dolly in an example of the less than rich and textured dialogue in Jacqueline Zambrano's script.
Taking a bullet for a man is a big deal, and Frank is very grateful. Knowing that whoever did the drive-by gangland shooting is sure to try again, he allows Darrell to play bodyguard to Dolly, who insists he go to yoga class with her. But when Frank learns that Darrell and Dolly have been seen dancing cheek to cheek, he turns racist fast.
The plot also involves some mobster-on-mobster violence, but that exists mostly to set up the love story.
Ron Underwood, whose films have included the likable "City Slickers" and the notorious flop "The Adventures of Pluto Nash," directs competent actors competently, but virtually every development and many specific actions and reactions are excruciatingly predictable. Yes, when a middle-age black woman meets Dolly for the first time, she does say, "This girl needs some meat on her bones."
A dog named Rufus has a nice scene, and a precocious little girl (Isis Faust) is charming in the way of precocious little girls.
"In the Mix" is rated PG-13 (Parental guidance suggested). It has strong language, sexual situations, considerable gunfire and one unfortunate accident involving a shiny disco ball.
In the Mix
Opens today nationwide.
Directed by Ron Underwood; written by Jacqueline Zambrano, based on a story by Chanel Capra, Cara Dellaverson and Brian Rubenstein; director of photography, Clark Mathis; edited by Don Brochu; music by Aaron Zigman; production designer, Cynthia Charette; produced by John Dellaverson; released by Lions Gate Films. Running time: 97 minutes.
WITH: Usher (Darrell), Chazz Palminteri (Frank), Emmanuelle Chriqui (Dolly), Robert Davi (Fish), Matt Gerald (Jackie), Robert Costanzo (Fat Tony), Anthony Fazio (Frankie Jr.) and Isis Faust (Lexi).
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