Not Easily Broken (DVD, 2009)

Faith, family ties, and marital fidelity are all put to the test in NOT EASILY BROKEN, a thoughtful African-American domestic drama based on the novel by mega-pastor T.D. Jakes. As the film opens, Dave Johnson (Morris Chestnut) sets the story to date: his marriage to Clarice (Taraji P. Henson), his dream of being a major league baseball player, and the couple’s shared love and faith. Ten years later, Dave’s dreams have been dashed by a career-ending injury, leaving Clarice’s success as a real estate agent to fuel their tony life. This leaves Dave feeling increasingly emasculated--a volatile situation further enflamed by Clarice’s criticism that Dave spends too much time coaching inner-city youths. This simmering tension boils over when the two are involved in a near-fatal car crash. Clarice’s subsequent physical rehabilitation compels her embittered mother (Jenifer Lewis) to move into the couple’s home and join Clarice in chastising Dave for ignoring his husbandly duties. To escape this daily barrage, Dave spends more and more time with divorcée Julie (Maeve Quinlan), the physical therapist who helps Clarice get back on her feet, as well as Julie’s young son. But when tragedy strikes, Dave and Clarice must finally confront their failing marriage and flagging faith, and reclaim the honesty and respect that once defined their life together. Director Bill Duke (SISTER ACT 2, COVER) balances relationship humor with heartfelt lessons in NOT EASILY BROKEN--an approach ably brought to the screen by an excellent cast--to show that when bad things happen to good people, they are often the challenges we need to find the best in ourselves and each other., Taraji P. Henson (THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS) and Morris Chestnut (THE PERFECT HOLIDAY) star in this relationship drama about a couple whose marriage is failing. NOT EASILY BROKEN is based on the book by T.D. Jakes, who also serves as a producer on the film.