THE PERFECT GUY
US, 2015, 100 minutes, Colour.
Sanaa Latham, Michael Ealy, Morris Chestnut, Charles S. Dutton, Tess Harper, Holt Mc Callanny.
Directed by David M. Rosenthal.
For about thirty minutes, this looks like a romantic comedy for an African- American audience. Everything seems to be perfect.Sanaa Latham plays a woman in her mid-30s, in a loving relationship with her boyfriend, David, Morris Chestnut. While he is good with children, he is not ready for any while Leah fears that she will not have children. They separate. in the meantime, a charming man, Carter, Michael Ealy, has been helpful to Leah twice and they exchange cards. Romance is inevitable and she takes Carter to meet her parents, he charming the father with having best tickets to the baseball game.
The audience might be wondering how this romance can be spun out for 90 minutes. the plot changes on the way back from the parents’ house, Carter erupting violently and bashing a man whom he sees talking to Leah.
What follows is a variation on Fatal Attraction, Carter becoming a stalker, menacing Leah even despite having a restraining order against him. David reunites with Leah – but, the neighbouring lady is killed by Carter, he sends out a video of bedroom activity on Leah’s email, he tampers with the wheel of David’s car…
Inevitably, guns are introduced and, as expected, there is confrontation between Leah and Carter which Leah will win. The ending is grim in so far as Leah has lost everything and will have to start again.
1. Title? The first 30 minutes? Perfect and charming? The angry corruption? The change in tone? A variation on Fatal Attraction?
2. The American city, workplaces, homes, restaurants, service stations? Musical score?
3. Leah and David and their relationship, her important work, the visit and Leah seeing David with the little boy, who wanted children, his not being ready, but not ready to propose? A decision to break the relationship?
4. Carter, his courtesy with the coffee? The later encounter, Leah at the bar, his confrontation with the intrusive man? Exchange of cards? His explanation of being adopted? Charm, the growth of the relationship, Leah falling in love? Going to see her parents? Roger and his hesitation, the tickets to the baseball game, his enjoyment, exhilaration, the meal, the parents seeing Leah kissing Carter? Hopes?
5. The incident at the garage, the man wanting to take a photo, Carter and his eruption, his brutality? The effect on Leah, uncomfortable? Breaking with him? His attempts to contact her? The meal, angry again? Carter, his true character revealed, his background in the police investigation, in trouble? Harassment? His following Leah, intruding? Her getting the restraining order? His disobeying it, the confrontation with David in the restaurant?
6. The detective, Leah presenting the situation, his advice, the restraining order, taking in Carter, Carter and his nonchalance?
7. Leah, the call from David, reuniting, his change of heart? The dinner, his confrontation with Carter?
8. The neighbouring lady, observing, attitude toured to Leah? Carter’s return, confronting him, his chasing her, the knocking at the door, entering the house, pushing her down the steps?
9. Intruding into Leah’s computer? Setting up the camera, photographing Leah and David in the bedroom? Sending out the video? Leah’s bosses and their suspending her?
10. Carter, the restraining order, the attitude of his bosses?
11. His tampering with Davids car, David driving, the wheel coming off, the crash, Carter confronting and killing him, taking the watch, Leah’s gift? His leaving it in Leah’s room?
12. Leah, following Carter, finding his place, the graffiti on the wall, smashing his machines? His violent reaction?
13. His having a key, entering the house? Leah, the story from the detective, getting the gun, the warning shots then the real bullets? Carter and his violence in fighting with Leah, her getting the gun, his death?
14. Leah and all she went through – and having to make a new beginning?
