Top-notch cast delivers the goods in witty 'Deliver Us From Eva'

By Marshall Fine
The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News

DELIVER US FROM EVA (Rated R for profanity, sexual content) Stars: Three friends hire a buddy to romance the domineering older sister of the trio's wives and girlfriends in this urban gloss on "Taming of the Shrew." It works because of the charm of the lead actors, who give the movie its energy. Starring James Todd Smith aka LL Cool J, Gabrielle Union. Directed by Gary Hardwick. Focus Features, 105 minutes.

Directed by Gary Hardwick from a script he wrote with James Iver Mattson and B.E. Brauner, "Eva" is a gloss on Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew." It focuses on a trio of friends who are married to or involved with a trio of sisters — the Dandridge girls — all of whom are in thrall to their oldest sibling, Eva (Gabrielle Union). And Eva, as one of the friends puts it, is "the sister-in-law from hell."

How hellish? She's first glimpsed marching into the living room where Tim (Mel Jackson), Darrell (Dartanyan Edmonds) and Mike (Duane Martin) are watching a football playoff game. Although it's Tim's house, he and his buddies are helpless against the sharp-tongued Eva, who tosses them all out so she and her sisters can convene their book club, where they plan to discuss "Beloved" and watch the movie.

Grousing at the neighborhood bar about Eva's domineering ways, they spot a friend of Mike's: a player's player named Ray (rapper LL Cool J, who is about to start using his real name, James Todd Smith, for acting roles). They hit on a scheme to fix Ray up with Eva, with the idea that Ray will get Eva to fall in love with him, then move to another city, taking her along. End of problem.

Eva, however, is one tough cookie. When she and her sisters were orphaned, she assumed the reins of the family and has been looking after her sisters ever since. She has taught them to be strong women with minds of their own (though not so independent that they aren't susceptible to her manipulations).

She also has clawed her way up the career ladder, starting as a secretary in the health inspector's office and working her way into the position as the department's strictest inspector.

Still, she seems to have met her match in Ray, who overcomes an initial bad first date to work his way into her good graces. He always seems to be one step ahead of her, disarming her defenses by undermining her convictions about what dogs men are.

But who's fooling whom here? Even as he puts Eva under his spell, Ray finds himself experiencing an unfamiliar sensation. Could it be love? Since this is a romantic comedy, that's a safe bet.

What gives "Deliver Us from Eva" its zing is the unique chemistry between its leads. The gorgeous Union has a tongue that's razor-sharp (with dialogue to match) and the timing to pull it off. Meanwhile, Smith practices comedic judo, using Union's energy and anger against her while wearing a beatific grin.

Unfortunately, the writing for the rest of the characters isn't nearly as sharp. Although the writers toss in some bawdy girl-talk in the hair salon run by one of the sisters (enough to earn the film an undeserved R rating), most of the banter works because of the performances, if it works at all.

Still, there's an easy, unforced feeling to much of this film, along with a strong soundtrack that mixes old and new school soul music. "Deliver Us from Eva" may not make you howl with laughter, but it should make you smile with satisfaction.

Rated R for profanity, sexual content.