Exit Strategy (2012)

People are voting emotionally.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

A few years ago, I met a young man named Jameel Saleem through Facebook and a mutual friend, Chyna Lane, who worked with my daughter, Amina Robinson on Precious. He reminded me so much of my youngest son with his deep set in eyes and heavy eyebrows, and his first name was actually spelled identically as my oldest son's middle name.He was gracious enough to accept my friend request and then I began to see all of the great things this fine young man was doing; not the least of which was an enormously funny web series of vignettes, delightfully rendered takes on an un-romantic relationship with his girlfriend, called, "Exit Strategy."I couldn't get enough of them and would watch them over and over, laughing hysterically each time. Now this is important: If you can watch something over and over and laugh hysterically as though it is the first time you are seeing it, it's good, it has staying power, it is a classic in the making.Over time, I had the same pleasure to meet Kimelia Weathers through Facebook; a dynamo, adorable and funny. Both of these young people are bright, shining new stars on the horizon, enormously talented. I asked Jameel and Kimelia when and if Exit Strategy would ever become a movie, because I knew it would be good as a full length feature. They said they were working on it....and voilà!Exit Strategy the movie premiered in AMC Theatres in the Philadelphia area on February 10th, 2012, and I was honored enough to meet them when I got to the theater. Not only was the movie very well written, but it was even funnier, and the characters played by Jameel and Kimelia were extremely convincing as "the psycho girlfriend," and the "battered non- boyfriend." The premise was hilarious: who wouldn't want to move in with a girl you only knew for three months, but not want to be in a relationship with, because you're getting evicted from your apartment -- right away.Although he tried unsuccessfully to move in with his friends and coworkers, he wound up with Kim in her pink place. And the fun begins there, and doesn't stop. The closeups on the characters' faces allows you to feel each and every moment of their experiences and that is superb acting in my view.This movie is a must see... and will be a definite "enjoy." I know I did. In a word, loved.

I totally giggled watching this movie. The chemistry between the main characters is beautiful to watch. Their sense of comedic timing made it all the more enjoyable. I brought my boyfriend to see this at the rave theater and he liked it too - but still won't admit that he laughed just as much as I did. The colors were fun - the pink was all too familiar with me and my girlfriends. I just love pink pink pink. Kevin hart was super laughs of course, but not any more than the other actors, which says a lot. The party scene by the pool was my favorite. The editing made me excited and wanted to be there with them. They must have had a good time making this. I recommend this movie because it's definitely outside the box of the typical rom-com, or should I say, un-rom-com - Nice to see a movie like this rise above all the Hollywood studio flops. You can make funny and inexpensive entertainment for the masses. Exit Strategy is proof.

I took a chance on this "indie" film one night (playing AMC Philly) and left with not only a new opinion about indie films in general and specifically the urban romantic comedy genre, but I walked out with a smile. No bombs, no nudity, no kids out of wed lock, no dirty language, and amazingly - for urban - no drugs and guns. And yet, still very relate-able, honest -- and great acting (full cast) and unnoticeable directing by Michael Whitton. I really admired his choices, both for the actors and camera angles: unlike most independent flicks I see, which are often overbearing artistically and aesthetically too artsy -- Exit Strategy surpassed my expectations of first-time filmmaking. I'd like to see Whitton helm a 50 million dollar machine. Apparently, from what I read, it was made on a scant budget, but it didn't look like it at all. A solid visual movie feel to it. The editing was unique... very -- for a romantic comedy, but I must say it surprisingly worked quite nicely. Right to the point. Smash flashbacks and forwards made it exciting to watch. Very creative. Very. I wish more films came out like this. This film is raw, funny, complex, and mirrored real life entertainingly. Low budget doesn't mean low quality with this film.

Built wholly from familiar ingredients, assembled with skillfully and charming performances from Jameel Saleem and Kimelia Weathers, Exit Strategy gives formula a good name with ample laughs and sharp performances.This anecdote centers around James (Jameel Saleem) who gets evicted from his apartment and moves in with his girlfriend of three months Kim (Kimelia Weathers) and quickly discovers she's everything he never wanted in a woman… Sounds familiar with a twist? There's no denying this film's warm humor and big heart as this generational comedy suffers issues of movement and character development although offering film goers a fine, low-calorie screwball feast containing ugly anachronisms courtesy of high-schooler "Scoop" that prove to enhance it's charm at low moments.Customary cynicism is leavened here by "tender" humor, "dry" romance, and genuine pathos with perfectly light, romantic comedy kept afloat by Michael Whitton's unobtrusive direction and sharp performances from Q Deezy (Carville) and cameo via "it" comedian Kevin Hart.Rarely does an unrealistically funny comedy connect with audiences but the exploration of gender roles and the limits of relationship with a mixture of sensitivity, raw honesty and wit between the two main characters actually work abetted by the sharp interplay between Big Boy and supporting cast.While the editing isn't parallel with timing of the comedy which affects it's pace, Exit Strategy is a hilarious, poignant and refreshing look at the rigors of tolerance bearing, with savvy script writing that is ably acted and directed.I enjoyed and I believe you will also. 2 thumbs UP!