Richard is the only black investment banker in the firm, for example.  “So I know all the other blacks who work here,” he says, greeting the (black) custodian and the (black) maid.  Then, in the elevator, a black courier starts singing offensive rap lyrics while listening to his headphones.  Horrified, Richard backs away as fast as he can.  Also, no one in the office bats an eye at the ongoing adultery of Richard’s colleague (Steve Buscemi, with his excellent-as-always deadpan smarminess).  But when Nicky starts showing up, the entire office is abuzz, implying that they’re holding Richard to a different standard.

The film is extremely loose when it comes to language and sexual themes, with frank discussion about marital sex (specifically, the lack thereof), men’s lust and the reality of temptation.  If you can get past this, however, you’ll find that Rock makes some insightful points, all within the context of excellent acting and direction (and a few clichéd jokes that should have been scrapped).  First, Rock shows us how hard marriage is.  Second, he shows us how crucial sex is for married men, who can otherwise find themselves distracted.  “The most dangerous time in a marriage is when a couple accepts that they aren’t having sex,” he says.

Wives, Rock seems to say—especially those who are busy with jobs and young children—may not realize the importance of this physical connection.   Fortunately, Rock also makes it clear that both partners are usually at fault for any divide (with an unfortunate song).  His ultimate conclusion:

“Life is about choice.  We’re all the sum of our choices.  And most of them are made for us.  You can’t choose where you’re born.  You can’t choose when you’re born.  You can’t choose your family and you can’t even choose who you love.  But you can choose how you love.”

A surprisingly truthful film.

AUDIENCE:  Adults only

DVD EXTRAS:

• Commentary with Chris Rock
• Bloopers
• Alternate and Deleted Scenes
• Casting Session featurette
• Trailers
• Featurette: “I Do Love Making this Movie”

CAUTIONS:

• Drugs/Alcohol:  Alcohol is consumed throughout film, sometimes conspicuously.  In one scene, characters smoke pot.  In another, a male character takes Viagra, which has a negative affect, resulting in hospitalization.  And one character smokes cigarettes throughout film.
• Language/Profanity:  Strong.  At least five dozen uses of the f-word and several dozen more profanities, obscenities and crude slang terms
• Sexual Content/Nudity:  Strong.  Male character exhibits strong objectification of women, repeatedly lusting after strangers as he narrates the sexual acts he would like to perform with them.  He makes overt sexual advances toward his wife.  Various shots of female legs, breasts (clothed), etc. including one extended scene where a woman wears only a bra and bikini underwear.  In another, a man undresses a woman, although only side nudity is seen.
• Violence:  Mild to Moderate.  In one scene, a man brutally beats another before the police arrive, then shots are heard offscreen.  Later, a television journalist announces that the man shot two police officers before being apprehended.