DVD Review: ‘Noah’s Arc: Jumping The Broom’

There are many formulas that I like, mostly because they work. The formula for original Coke is perfect and irreplaceable. New Coke be damned.  One of my favorites, is what I call the Golden Girls formula for the perfect sitcom. I believe that any successful foursome will have the smart one, the slut, the dumb/ditzy/innocent one, and the wild card. Take a moment, and think about Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia respectively. Now think of Sex and the City‘s Miranda, Samantha, Charlotte and Carrie. How about the Facts of Life girls, or the Queer as Folk guys?  It works, right?

A few years ago, I stumbled on a Logo network show called Noah’s Arc. It chronicles the lives a four gay black men who are best friends and confidantes. Much like their Sex and The City counterparts, their love lives, careers and daily dramas play the central role. Noah (Darryl Stephens) is the main character, the Carrie Bradshaw of the group. In fact, like Carrie, he is a writer, albeit a screenwriter versus her columnist. Noah’s friends, Ricky (Christian VIncent), a boutique owner and man-whore, Alex (Rodney Chester) an HIV clinic owner and Chance (Douglas Spearman) the college professor, make up the Arc and bring their own boyfriends, spouses and lovers into the mix. Wade (Jensen Atwood) is Noah’s “Mr. Big,” and before things get good, they get bad and then worse.

Part of the show’s draw is the endearing characters and the timely topics such as hate crimes and HIV awareness. Unfortunately, after just two seasons, the show was canceled.  Not to be deterred by something as trivial as a cancellation, Logo came back with a Noah’s Arc feature film called Jumping The Broom.  In it, Noah and Wade have overcome all of their problems and are set to marry in gay-friendly Massachusetts with their posse in attendance. Also along for the ride is young college student, Brandon (Gary LeRoi Gray), Chance’s pupil and Ricky’s date.

While navigating the weekend of wedding planning, unexpected guests including down low rapper “Baby Gat” and an arrest and meltdown or two, the crew prove that love does in fact conquer all, and the end leaves us hopeful for a future where gays and lesbians can marry, raise children, and be accepted by their friends and families alike.

As a movie, separate from the television series, I found this film to be simple, sweet and engaging. There were no robots, guns, or swords, but I loved it just the same. Even without having seen the series, I would have enjoyed the film because it gave just enough backstory to make the plot palatable for fans and newbies alike. It’s basically a romantic comedy, with some great lines and a few not-so-steamy gay sex scenes. I’ve seen far more graphic scenes on Showtime’s Queer as Folk.

Suffice it to say that I loved this little film in all of its sweet, gay, romantic comedy glory. Don’t get me wrong, the acting is atrocious, the writing and direction ridiculous, but you will not want it to end. It’s like watching a crappy film like Showgirls or Grease 2 that you just can’t get enough of.  Further, the soundtrack is a must have. I’m so glad that all of the loose ends from the series were tied up, and that Noah et al got a proper sendoff. Put this bad boy in your Netflix queue, and grab some chocolate ice cream!