Influence (2020a)
(On TV, April 2022) While Influence feels like a pilot for an upcoming TV series, it does have (unlike its BET+ original stablemate Sacrifice) the decency of delivering a complete plot, intriguing characters and just enough fun to offset the film’s problems. Adapted from a very different novel by Carl Weber, it introduces the Hudsons – a family of lawyers working together as a small law firm able to take on impossible odds and win. As the film begins, a music/acting superstar is found stabbed in bed, and the number one suspect is his wife, equally renowned as a singer/actress. It doesn’t take a long time to understand that this is going to be a blunt and awkward film, far from the polish of better productions: the on-the-nose opening sequence creates more questions than exposition, and this keeps going all the way to a botched ending with a blindingly obvious fact presented as an astonishing revelation, as well as a murderer whose identity makes no sense. Still, let’s be frank: I don’t watch BET movies for strong plots or filmmaking prowess: I watch it for the attractive actresses, interesting characters and general atmosphere. On those metrics, Influence certainly delivers. It’s simply a lot of fun, in-between quickly sketched but promising characters (see above for; feels like a pilot for a TV series), actresses such as Deborah Cox, Kellita Smith and Nadine Ellis (Influence not only features The Lingerie Scene familiar to nudity-averse BET originals, but it’s announced an hour before it happens), and a generally pleasant atmosphere halfway between cheap plot contrivances and blunt wish-fulfillment. Music, acting and expensive shopping figure as prominently as capable characters banding together for justice, a few alluring hints of hot romance, and sequences built more for cool than plausibility. It’s not subtle stuff – some plot revelations can be guessed an hour in advance simply by seeing how the straightforward narrative suddenly stops for a supposedly throwaway detail (Hmm, I wonder if those angel figurines commented upon by the detective will play a role later on…). Even the acting is limited by a script that doesn’t offer credible dialogue – as much as I like Roger Guenveur Smith, he’s saddled with lines unbecoming of his stature. Still, don’t get me wrong: I liked it. I would probably watch a TV series featuring these characters in further adventures (which doesn’t seem likely two years later). I realize I’m betraying the film criticism community for liking an objectively bad film, but there’s something hard to resist about BET+ original films: their earnest imperfection, maybe.