I watch movies for their entertainment value in the sense of keeping me engaged in its world and its story. I do not care if it reinforces my political, religious, or cultural beliefs. I recognize that is not true of everybody, and that's okay also. I just wanted to provide context.

At its core, Not Easily Broken is the story of a marriage that undergoes various tests and stresses from many directions. There is tragedy, heartbreak, and hidden agendas along the way. In other words, this is what we used to call a classic "sudser" or adult soap opera.

For a limited budget movie, I thought the acting was superb - most especially Taraji Hanson (Joss Carter on Person of Interest and hilarious in the otherwise tiresome Think Like a Man). Others here refer to her as a one-dimensional harridan but I think nothing could be further than the truth. My wife and I cared about their marriage because she was conveyed well but subtly that she was balancing different instincts and being pulled in different directions and was searching for but not finding a moral compass. And yes, this really is where belief in God can make a positive difference in real people's lives (whether he "really exists" or not) and frequently does. This was also well conveyed extremely well by this talented actor. Jenifer Lewis was magnificent as her interfering mother who also was not without her redemptive qualities but could not overcome the damage she had sustained.

In many ways, their roles were much tougher than that of the sympathetic Maeve Quinlan or co-Executive Producer and star Morris Chestnut. I've always thought it easier for an actor to convey empathy and understanding for a sympathetic character than a nasty one. Not that both were not terrific in their performances. I was unfamiliar with Ms. Quinlan but she truly impressed. I've adored Albert Hall since his performance in Apocalypse Now. He does a convincing job here as the minister but I would have loved to have seen more from him.

Morris Chestnut who portrays lead character Dave, the narrator of the film, obviously, is a terrific and increasingly accomplished actor. He was also co-producer of the film. I do not know to what extent he was involved in the messaging aspect of this movie or to what extent the Jakes' novel (I've not read any of them but have seen two other movies based on his works) focused on the relationship between women and men "being turned upside down" in today's world.

In many ways, this plays a bigger role in the film's apparent raison d'etre than its message of getting back in touch with God - which is universal in these movies. As an ardent feminist, I am personally very uncomfortable with this point of view. But as said, I enjoy the movie on its entertainment value on its own terms. In its principal illustration, Not Easily Broken attempts to show that an imbalance can be created when an independent woman uses money or some other artificial barometer as a means for controlling the marriage and the household and demeaning her husband whom she has convinced herself she does not really need. As it turns out, she has been indoctrinated by her mother's negative experiences and anger. The minister helps bring her closer to God and realize the importance of not letting their marriage be torn asunder. Dave (Morris Chestnut) persuades her that their marriage must be more of a partnership. Voila, a woman who had put her career in front of the inconvenience and loss of independence she perceived in having a child is now thrilled that she is pregnant.

Okay, I've known couples like that - unfortunately, that solution in all 3 of those cases ultimately led to divorce. But, that's just 3 cases and makes Dave's viewpoint no less valid or at least somewhat defensible by a reasonable person.

There was a scene that did bother me a lot - and maybe I'm just being defensive because I am just like Kevin Hart's character in that he happily allows his wife to make all decision because he says, "Happy wife equals happy life." I agree, but in the context of the movie, he is comic relief and ultimately the object of scorn. I thought it was especially odious when his wife threw him out because not only did he have no backbone and no independent opinions, but because he has small feet (wink, wink). Talk about judgmental about what constitutes manhood!

Then again, not only was I actively engaged in the movie, but it also provoked enough thought from me afterward to compel me to write this lengthy review. It also made me cry when Maeve Quinlan's son dies - which according to the movie's scorn for Kevin Hart's character must also be "unmanly." But like I say, the filmmakers are entitled to their opinion - they just need to entertain me. They did and even made me think.

I want to begin by chiding a couple of our reviewers. On the one hand, a couple of our reviewers seem to think that if a movie isn't dripping with alleluias, then it isn't telling a moral story. Others seem to think that any hint of morality makes it not a popular movie. Well, both groups of people are off base. This is a good, moral tale which represents people similar to some that I know. They're not perfect people, but they are people searching for a meaningful life and meaningful relationships. I am primarily a Buddhist, but if everyone I knew tried to live their lives as the main characters in this film, we'd be living in a better world. So if you are running away from this film because you think it may be too religious, don't; it's an excellent drama.

I'm a big Morris Chestnut fan. I think he's very underrated as an actor, and I think this film really allows him to demonstrate his dramatic abilities which he successfully underplays here. It's perfect.

This was also a good role for Taraji P. Henson, as Chestnut's wife, and also we get a little taste of "Cookie", she also shows some class here in some more quiet moments. She does a very nice job here.

Maeve Quinlan is excellent as a grief-stricken mother and the almost-third wheel in the Chestnut-Henson marriage. Particularly toward the end of the film, she is very strong here.

Kevin Hart before we really knew Kevin Hart. Shows potential here that was later realized. Eddie Cibrian plays another "buddy", and does nicely.

My only real criticism here is the role played by Jenifer Lewis as Henson's mother. She beginning to get typecast in this same role...if you watch "Blackish", you'll know what I mean. She great at it, but I'd like to see her do other things, as well.

The story is, in my view, fairly realistic and even a bit underplayed. That's to its credit. Yes, it has a moralistic tone to it, but it doesn't hit you over the head in a preachy way.

I rarely give an "8", but this film deserved it.

Directed by the great Bill Duke (the big black guy from PREDATOR),NOT EASILY BROKEN is tailored for the black Christian market like a black suit and tie is tailored for a Reservoir Dog.

Dave Johnson (Morris Chestnut) is married to a screeching harridan (Taraji P. Henson),who seems to possess no redeeming qualities except two mungus ta-tas - but that ain't no reason to be married to the bitch. Apparently, the knotted rope the priest entwined around their bodies when he declared them married signified God had something to do with the state contract, so - like all good christians - Dave and Screechy FEAR what might happen were they to break that bond.

As it happens, Dave's life gets progressively better when he leaves Screechy for awhile and sniffs around the white MILF who looks like Bo Derek (Maeve Quinlan - peachy!) Subplots abound, as Screechy winds up in hospital after a great, realistic car accident that actually shuts her mouth mid-screech; the MILF's son dies in a swimming pool accident (pretty gruesome stuff for a minor character, only for the sake of leaving her vulnerable to Dave); Kevin Hart provides a few laughs as Dave's Crazy Black Dude friend and Eddie Cibrian is the Token White Dude friend.

But nothing on heaven or earth will deter this film from irrationally, non-believably reconciling Screechy with Dave - because what God has bound together is supposedly Not Easily Broken. And the black Christian folk cheer at the screen - and go home to their listless, loveless marriages...

--Review by Poffy The Cucumber (for Poffy's Movie Mania).