A Thin Line Between Love and Hate
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| A Thin Line Between Love and Hate | |
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| Directed by | Martin Lawrence |
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| Produced by | George Jackson Doug McHenry |
| Written by | Screenplay: Martin Lawrence Bentley Kyle Evans Kenny Buford Kim Bass Story: Martin Lawrence |
| Narrated by | Martin Lawrence |
| Starring | Martin Lawrence Lynn Whitfield Regina King Bobby Brown Daryl Mitchell with Roger E. Mosley and Della Reese Simbi Khali Tangie Ambrose Wendy Raquel Robinson |
| Studio | Jackson-McHenry Entertainment You Go Boy! Productions |
| Distributed by | New Line Cinema Savoy Pictures |
| Release date(s) | April 3, 1996 |
| Running time | 108 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $8,000,000 |
A Thin Line Between Love and Hate is a 1996 comedy-romance film that was directed and co-written by Martin Lawrence, who also stars in the film. Lawrence co-wrote the screenplay alongside Kenny Buford, who has also written for Lawrence's hit television sitcom, Martin. Along with Lawrence, the film features an ensemble cast of African-American actors that include Lynn Whitfield, Regina King, Bobby Brown and Della Reese. The film tells the story of Darnell Wright, a ladies' man who finds himself targeted by one of his obsessed lovers.
A Thin Line Between Love and Hate was released in April 1996 and went on to gross over $30 million at the box office against a budget of $8 million. The film was shot on location entirely in the city of Los Angeles, California. The title for the film is taken from the 1971 song "Thin Line Between Love and Hate" by The Persuaders. R&B trio H-Town recorded a cover version of this song that was included on the film soundtrack.
[edit] Plot
Martin Lawrence stars as nightclub manager Darnell, a perpetual playboy and hopeless male chauvinist. Darnell is a crude-but-smooth talker and lady's man who doesn't take no for an answer. He works for a nightclub called Chocolate City and aspires to be its owner. He trades VIP privileges at the club for favors from women. Though he is an expert at conning women, he sometimes worries about what his childhood sweetheart Mia (Regina King) thinks of his adventures.
When the classy, elegant Brandi (Lynn Whitfield) steps out of a limousine to enter the club, Darnell feels that he's met his ultimate prize. She rejects his come-ons, which only fuels his appetite. He pursues her, showing up with flowers at her real estate office. He finally wins over Brandi, only to find out that he's really in love with Mia. But Brandi doesn't take kindly to rejection, and becomes an obsessed femme fatale stalking him, even taking all four wheels off his SUV to ground him from his rounds. Cutting off his engagement to Mia is not enough to satisfy Brandi, who finally administers Darnell's punishment for his misogyny. Darnell quickly learns the hard way that when you "play", you have to "pay."
[edit] Cast
- Martin Lawrence — Darnell Wright/Narrator
- Lynn Whitfield — Brandi Web
- Regina King — Mia Williams
- Bobby Brown — Tee
- Della Reese — Mama Wright
- Malinda Williams — Erica Wright
- Daryl Mitchell — Earl
- Roger E. Mosley — Smitty
- Simbi Khali — Adrienne
- Tangie Ambrose — Nikki
- Wendy Raquel Robinson — Gwen
- Stacii Jae Johnson — Peaches
- Miguel A. Núñez Jr. — Reggie
- Faizon Love — Manny
- Michael Bell — Marvis
