By Lindzi Scharf
Story
Darrell (
Usher) is a hot shot deejay in New York. Everything changes for him, however, when he saves Frank (
Chazz Palminteri), a Mafia don and close family friend, from a mob hit. When Darrell proves himself reliable, he’s hired to protect Frank’s daughter Dolly (
Emmanuelle Chriqui). She resents her new “babysitter” and makes Darrell’s life difficult in a series of lighthearted events, but it’s clear the two have an unspoken attraction for one another. They eventually indulge and are forced to deal with the repercussions of their different backgrounds. Meanwhile, Frank is dealing with the backlash of his hit and those who still want him dead.
Acting
As actors, your role is to do what’s on the page. In the case of
In The Mix , this is an unfortunate scenario. The script features cliché characters in cliché settings repeating cliché lines. That said,
Usher actually shows potential. His role doesn’t demand much, but his delivery seems natural enough.
Chriqui (HBO’s
Entourage) gives an equally appropriate performance as a mob princess. What isn’t on the page, these two make up for in on-screen chemistry. It’s not difficult to buy into their attraction--despite their differences. Veteran actor
Palminteri doesn’t disappoint either. Known for playing Mafia roles, he plays this one with heart.
Direction
Director
Ron Underwood (
The Adventures of Pluto Nash) captures what every fan of the pop crooner-turned-actor hopes for:
Usher’s signature abs,
Usher in a fierce kissing scene, and even
Usher attempting yoga. Hard to criticize a director faced with the dilemma of a ticking production schedule and script that still needs to be re-written. But
Underwood can be rest assured that Usher fans will believe he’s Oscar worthy for his inclusion of a sexy pool scene.