It's interesting to see what has happened with smaller black films in just the last decade. In the nineties we had fluff like "Strictly Business" and "Trippin'," which were hardly masterworks of film-making, but at least these movies had decent production values. They were released in theaters because straight-to-video didn't exist in any significant way for black films at that time.
Fast forward 10 years later and anyone with a digital camera and about $50,000 can get a movie made. Independent film-making is now truly independent. "Love for Sale" is a product of this movement. The movie stars Jackie Long and Jason Weaver, both from "ATL," as cousins, Trey and Vince, respectively, working at a barbecue joint and looking for love in the streets of North Carolina.
Male viewers will no doubt be drawn to the movie because it stars former video vixen Melyssa Ford (Katherine) and R&B singer Mya (Keiley), both of whom headline the movie along with Jackie Long.
Melyssa plays an older, but not quite old, ex sorority girl who is feeling maturity set in as she goes through a separation with her husband. She's on the prowl for young studs and Trey fits the bill. This is the type of role Beverly D'Angelo made popular in the "Vacation" movies and Jennifer Cooledge solidified as a MILF in "American Pie." Unfortunately, Melyssa Ford is just too young and attractive to be playing spinster roles just yet. Melyssa is a lot of things, but desperate and clingy she is not (believably at least).
As luck would have it, Trey likes Keiley, who is nicely played by the relentlessly charming Mya. Mya is appropriately cast in this movie and does a very nice job with what little she's given. Her plot involves her being in an unhealthy relationship with a boyfriend she's had since junior high school.
"Love for Sale" suffers from a number or problems. It can't figure out its tone--is it a comedy or a drama? It has secondary story lines that are lifeless retreads of things we've seen before and that are completely uninteresting. Most importantly, "Love for Sale" lacks momentum or a compelling story line.
It has a few likable sections, such as the scene toward the end where Mya finally hooks up with the Trey character. But this movie, even for an independent effort, is inadequate in many respects. And this is coming from someone who enjoys even the most mediocre indies. Still, if you are a die-hard Melyssa Ford or Mya fan, it *may* be worth seeing for them.
Fast forward 10 years later and anyone with a digital camera and about $50,000 can get a movie made. Independent film-making is now truly independent. "Love for Sale" is a product of this movement. The movie stars Jackie Long and Jason Weaver, both from "ATL," as cousins, Trey and Vince, respectively, working at a barbecue joint and looking for love in the streets of North Carolina.
Male viewers will no doubt be drawn to the movie because it stars former video vixen Melyssa Ford (Katherine) and R&B singer Mya (Keiley), both of whom headline the movie along with Jackie Long.
Melyssa plays an older, but not quite old, ex sorority girl who is feeling maturity set in as she goes through a separation with her husband. She's on the prowl for young studs and Trey fits the bill. This is the type of role Beverly D'Angelo made popular in the "Vacation" movies and Jennifer Cooledge solidified as a MILF in "American Pie." Unfortunately, Melyssa Ford is just too young and attractive to be playing spinster roles just yet. Melyssa is a lot of things, but desperate and clingy she is not (believably at least).
As luck would have it, Trey likes Keiley, who is nicely played by the relentlessly charming Mya. Mya is appropriately cast in this movie and does a very nice job with what little she's given. Her plot involves her being in an unhealthy relationship with a boyfriend she's had since junior high school.
"Love for Sale" suffers from a number or problems. It can't figure out its tone--is it a comedy or a drama? It has secondary story lines that are lifeless retreads of things we've seen before and that are completely uninteresting. Most importantly, "Love for Sale" lacks momentum or a compelling story line.
It has a few likable sections, such as the scene toward the end where Mya finally hooks up with the Trey character. But this movie, even for an independent effort, is inadequate in many respects. And this is coming from someone who enjoys even the most mediocre indies. Still, if you are a die-hard Melyssa Ford or Mya fan, it *may* be worth seeing for them.