Brown Sugar – Movie Review (2002)

Movie Review • “When did you fall in love with Hip Hop?” When I first watched this movie, I knew from that question, this would be a classic. Brown Sugar wasn’t just a movie about love & relationships, it was also about the love of hip hop. To show the similarities of love between the two was done perfectly by writers Michael Elliott & Rick Famuyiwa. They both explored how the authenticity of real hip hop & love make you feel.

Dre & Sidney bonded together over their love for hip hop at a young age & that bond eventually grew. Although they both didn’t see it in the beginning with Dre marrying Reese, who we all knew was not  what he needed in a woman. Then Syd almost marrying Kelby who we knew wasn’t the right guy for her when he couldn’t name the best part of her article that she wrote. The rollercoaster that their relationship as friends is what you have to go through sometimes to understand how real it is. 

Of course the audience knew Dre & Syd were meant to be when they sat on the bench & rapped “I Used to Love H.E.R.” Them sitting on the bench with their backs toward each other was a symbolism to me that they were meant for each other they just had to turn around & really see it. He knew every single detail about her & she knew everything about him. Syd’s bff Francine tried to tell her but she wouldn’t listen, & I’m sure it’s because Dre was about to get married. I feel like Dre didn’t fully see that he wanted Syd until she had someone herself & it’s usually like that. As long as you’re occupied with someone yourself you may not notice that other person until their full attention is not on you anymore. 

My favorite part of the movie is how clumsy Syd was. I don’t know if a lot of people caught it but she would drop something in multiple scenes. Two of my favorite scenes are at the New Years party when she dropped food from the tray & they break character & couldn’t hold their laughter, to the scene where Dre pops up on Reese while she’s on a date with RICHARD LAWSON! “We’re going to celebrate *taps glass* MY DIVORCE!” which according to Sanaa was improvised by Diggs. 

Brown Sugar has so many memorable quotes & scenes that we will always remember. Do you think we could get a sequel to this to get an update on Dre & Syd’s relationship after he confessed his love to her on the radio? I would love that as long as they bring back the originals. I will add Brown Sugar as one of my favorite love stories, it’s another feel good film to watch.

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