Perhaps we should all agree the term “urban update” should be kept as far away from studio pitches as possible? The descriptor — besides sounding like a mandatory software patch — just does not do the film it's touting any favors whatsoever. But, that hasn't stopped the latest remake to be deigned as such from picking up a charismatic leading man in rapper/actor Common, and worthy source material in Francois Truffaut's 1977 film “The Man Who Loved Women.”
Shadow and Act reports that the update, which comes after a pretty dismal Blake Edwards remake starring Burt Reynolds and Julie Andrews, will transplant the original film's Paris location to Buenos Aires, where Marc Guiness (Common) decides to pen a memoir about the myriad relationships throughout his life. First-time feature director J. Kevin Swain, who has 'til now made a name with music videos and, er, “Being Bobby Brown,” will helm the project, and is pursuing a high profile cast of leading ladies, with names such as Alicia Keys, Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington, Frida Pinto and Eva Marcelle being thrown into the mix/pursued/wishlisted.
Truffaut's original film, starring Charles Denner and Brigitte Fossey, ranks as one of the director's more minor efforts for sure, with the featherweight plot barely held together by some amusing dialogue and visual gags, so a remake is not the worst thing to happen to the film's legacy (although Blake Edwards' version came close). Common remains a solid choice though, as he was compelling week-to-week on FX's western series, “Hell on Wheels,” and his dynamic with Queen Latifah in the romantic comedy “Just Wright” saved that film entirely. Let's just hope those behind this new project transcend the ridiculous label they've slapped on the film.
