Ta’Rhonda Jones

(On TV, September 2021) As far as BET original romantic comedies go, Angrily Ever After is strictly middle-of-the-road stuff — fun enough to watch (perhaps preferably while doing other things) but not memorable enough to stick in mind. That, mind you, is already not too bad — there are enough terrible BET original movies to make anyone appreciate the not-so-bad ones. In this case, the plot revolves around a young news anchor who, thanks to an emotional outburst against her fiancé and his too-intimate friend, ends up losing her job, her engagement, her apartment, her book contract on “Having it all” and much of her self-respect in one day. Things don’t necessarily get any better once she’s hired for another job, as her outburst has led her to be typecast as the “angry black woman” expected to issue enraged commentary on the issues of the day. For someone with a Masters in Journalism, that’s quite a step down — but she’s got other problems, such as confronting the white woman telling her that no $50,000 refunds are allowed on her wedding resort reservation — at best a year-long postponement. The ticking clock being activated, the rest of Angrily Ever After boils down to — is she going to get back with her two-timing ex-fiancé, that sexy new guy at the new workplace, or something else? Don’t worry — it all works out thanks to contrivances (what kind of moron kisses another woman in front of the bridal shop where his fiancée is trying her dress?), plot cheats and the weight of audience expectations. The portrayal of the TV business is hilariously warped: No channel ever hires someone for colour commentary and has them discover the exact nature of it on the air.)  It’s definitely heavier on romance than comedy — not that many funny situations here nor snappy dialogue, but at least it ends well. Jasmine Burke is lovely in the lead role, with Ta’Rhonda Jones providing much of the comic relief as the best friend character. You can argue that director Terri J. Vaughn’s film doesn’t manage to fulfill expectations — slack on comedy, not that exceptional on romance either, and curiously timid when it’s time to comment on social media toxicity or expectations toward young female professionals. But Angrily Ever After is watchable without being terrible, and it wraps up with a big smile at the “Joy of Losing It All.”  I’ve seen worse.