In the podcast about 1997 film Love Jones, Randy Bandit and Phill Boogie weighed in on the plot and outcome of the film, taking different stances. Randy Bandit had a good point when he mentioned that he does not like the film and can't understand what draws people in (much like the sometimes blind following behind Scarface. Some people just enjoy the ride on the bandwagon). However, I have to side with Phill Boogie on this one. Love Jones is a timeless Black romance mainly because somebody somewhere has either been in that kind of relationship, driven by passion and stumbling over the real issues, or known someone in that kind of relationship, or listened to their mom on the phone telling somebody about "so and so" down the street's relationship.
Phill Boogie made an interesting point during the discussion when he said he felt this movie was about flawed people. The fact that Nina (Nia Long) made so many bad decisions (the timeless "chase me" games, sleeping with his best friend, getting back with her ex, etc.) and Darius (Larenz Tate), in so many words, went along with it is what shapes the major conflict in the film. Whether it be film or literature, isn't there always going to be a character (or actual person) somewhere who can become so blinded by the feeling of love (and lust) that they ignore the obvious flaws of their partner and the relationship? And what woman hasn't listened to her girlfriends telling her what to do about her man? I mean really. But I digress. Back to my point. It's a little cliche for a good Black movie to have a good soundtrack but hey this one happens to follow suit. I think based on what Phill Boogie and Randy Bandit said about the flaws of the characters (mainly Nina. I get it guys. She's a cruddy B lol.), the song "Hopeless" by Dionne Farris sums up the relationship with Darius and Nina pretty well. "They say I'm hopeless, as a penny with a hole in it. They say I'm no less than up to my head in it." Darius and Nina were both stuck in their ways and not willing to change any time soon. They did not want to compromise and sometimes it seemed like the only thing they agreed on was the sex. Yes, they were in love (to some degree) but in reality it was hopeless. They were hopelessly in love (or lust depending on how you look at it and certain scenes. I mean he did get it in with no problems on the first date).
At the end of the day, hey it's a good movie and I don't care how crudy Nina went on Darius, it made for a good movie with a different perspective on love, young misguided love, and the problems that can arise. Love Jones is just hard to deny.
