amanipn This is a movie bout the very worst side of relationships, made even worse by the characters 'black power' attitudes, suggesting this is the way all relationships between African-American couples work. I could never understand why the smart, sassy Zora would even be attracted to a selfish, insolent child-man like Franklin. It almost seems like the filmmakers are trying to make a comment, and the comment is that young, black women are so desperate to have a boyfriend that they'll put up with just about anything, just so long as they're tossed the oft-abused and misused words "I Love You". On top of all this is the casting of beautiful, charming Sanaa Lathan as Zora and, well, let's just say the aesthetically-lacking Wesley Snipes. Their mismatched casting just makes Zora's decision seem even more desperate. Skip this one.

abajoue I saw "Disappearing Acts" a couple of times on HBO back when it 1st came out, and I bought the DVD several months ago. I must admit that, at first, I was a tiny bit skeptical about whether I'd like a made-for-HBO movie. But I should have known that the "Dream Team" of Gina Prince-Bythewood and Sanaa Lathan (director & lead actress of "Love and Basketball") would deliver the goods. From the beginning, this movie just felt REAL - no glossy sets, clothes, etc. Just the genuine simplicity that you would find in the homes/lives of everywoman or everyman. This lack of unnecessary trappings allowed the characters to take the spotlight, and made their struggles seem really genuine and believable. As usual, Sanaa Lathan lit up the screen with a natural talent and presence rarely seen nowadays, especially among younger actresses. She demonstrated incredible acting range in this movie, conveying Zora's initial infatuation, lust, and ecstasy, which gave way to pain, frustration, hurt and, ultimately, forgiveness and reconciliation. Wesley Snipes gave a surprisingly good performance as Franklin. I had previously only seen him in action movies (Blade, etc.), but in "Disappearing Acts," he showed his ability to break out of the action-hero box. While a more "conventionally-handsome" actor could probably have been cast as Franklin, I don't know whether he would have done the job here. Wesley has always been good at playing characters that are more significant by what they don't say rather than what they do. That was a good fit for the role of Franklin, with his multiple demons and insecurities. Plus, Sanaa and Wesley had a strong on-screen chemistry that made you understand why Zora and Franklin found it so difficult to let each other go. (That refrigerator love scene practically melted my TV screen!) Casting an absolutely stunning "GQ-type" black actor to play Franklin probably would have been a bit truer to the look of the character as he was portrayed in the book, but there's no guarantee that a beautiful male lead would have generated the same sort of sensuality that made this movie so riveting. And when it comes down to it, you can suspend disbelief on looks if the acting and vibe between the actors are strong enough. Chemistry and on-screen charisma can't be faked. I thought that the movie was pretty true to the book, although, naturally, there was artistic license taken here and there. The movie did a fine job of getting across the book's message that although lust/passion are easy, forging a real relationship takes work and sacrifice, even if it means letting the person you love go so that they can deal with their own issues. I think that many women (and men) can relate to what it's like to get into a co-dependent relationship where both parties lose themselves to some extent (hence the title of the movie/book). Overall, this was a very good, well-acted movie, which did the book justice.

camraman It's not often you can sit and watch a movie that deals with real life situations and the writer and director present the script to the viewer in a believable fashion. But this movie was well done and a well thought out script. Wesley and Sanaa played off each other's character well. The background songs for various scenes were "on the money." I even found myself shouting, "Don't do it!" to Frankie (Wesley) in the most critical moment during the hammer smashing scene. I know, it's just a movie. But I love it when the creators of a movie can get me and my emotions involved. It's then when I feel they've created an excellent movie.I'm glad that the characters, Franklin and Zora (Sanaa) were allowed to be real. Both had dreams and desires. Both had obstacles to overcome. Trying to obtain those goals while maintaining a new relationship, we found, can be difficult.It received a resounding 10 from me. I definitely recommend this movie.

George Parker "Disappearing Acts" is a well told story about the bumpy road to love and understanding trod by a somewhat mismatched NYC couple with Snipes as a blue-collar laborer and Lathan as a music teacher. The film does everything right but does not show us anything we haven't seen many times before. In the final analysis one can only nod and yawn.