Nappily Ever After

Nappily Ever After is a 2018 American romantic comedy film directed by Haifaa al-Mansour and written by Adam Brooks and Cee Marcellus. It is based on the novel of the same name by Trisha R. Thomas. The film stars Sanaa Lathan, Ernie Hudson, Lyriq Bent, Lynn Whitfield, Ricky Whittle, and Camille Guaty.

Nappily Ever After
Film poster
Directed byHaifaa al-Mansour
Produced by
Written by
Screenplay by
  • Adam Brooks
Based onNappily Ever After
by Trisha R. Thomas
Starring
Music byLesley Barber
CinematographyAlar Kivilo
Production
company
  • Netflix
  • Marc Platt Productions
  • Badabing Pictures
Distributed byNetflix
Release date
  • September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21) (United States)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The film was released on September 21, 2018, by Netflix.

Plot

A young, black girl Violet (Sanaa Lathan) talks about her mother Paulette (Lynn Whitfield) always making sure she looks perfect. This includes straightening her natural hair which takes time and occasionally Violet is burned by the iron. At a park, a boy says he can hold his breath longer underwater. Despite her mom’s protests Violet jumps in the swimming pool. When she surfaces her natural hair is wild and frizzy. Children make fun of her. Horrified, her mother puts her in the car.

Later, Violet as an adult has a seemingly perfect life: she is successful in her job as an advertising executive, has been with her boyfriend Clint (Ricky Whittle), a doctor, for two years, and has perfect long straight hair, despite the effort it takes to maintain.

Violet shares a close relationship with her mother, who continues keeping Violet the vision of perfection. She and Violet's father (Ernie Hudson) recently became estranged after he quit his job to pursue modeling.

Violet expects Clint to propose on her birthday. After getting sprayed by the neighbor's hose, she visits a salon to attempt to get her hair fixed. The salonist makes a mistake; some of Violet’s hair falls out. She causes a scene, insulting the salon owner’s daughter's afro since she was partly responsible for the incident, and then gets a weave to cover her head.

At Violet’s birthday party, Clint gives her a dog instead of a ring. Violet is highly disappointed when Clint doesn't propose. She confronts him later at home. He says she’s always perfect and doesn’t know much about her including her favorite things. Violet breaks up with him. He leaves.

Violet tries out blonde hair, goes out with her friends, and drinks with a man. Drunk, she goes with the man to his home. He thinks she’s wild and they start foreplay. They hit heads together which leaves him bleeding. Violet leaves and goes to visit Clint at the hospital only to find him with a new woman. She is devastated, goes home, gets drunk, cries in the mirror and shaves her head.

The next morning she is horrified with what she has done. Violet wears a scarf on her head. She cries in the bathroom at work. A woman in the bathroom suggests she come to her support group. Violet attends the group only to discover it is a cancer support group. Violet apologizes, but the group leader gives her words of support.

She grows confidence in her new look. She begins dating the owner of the hair salon, Will (Lyriq Bent), and befriends his young daughter, Zoe (Daria Johns). Violet and Will quickly grow close, and he attends her mother's Fourth of July party, only to be disrespected by Paulette, who makes condescending comments about Will and his career choice. Will breaks up with her following this and tells Violet to "get herself sorted."

After Violet loses a pitch for an ad campaign using real women to a male colleague's standard idea using blonde models, she quits her job. She goes home, puts on upbeat music, and dances. She doesn’t realize Clint who is picking up his things is watching and appreciating her get her groove on. It’s been a few months since the breakup. Clint is interested in Violet and apologizes saying he never wanted her to think she wasn’t beautiful. The dog peed on Clint’s shirt. Violet allows him to use the shower. She joins him in the shower and they have sex.

The next morning Violet is preparing breakfast. Clint says she did so much for him, insists she sit, and cuts onions. He proposes to her using an onion ring. She says yes. She is excited. Her mom is excited and says finally. Violet’s friends are told the wedding is in 3 months. Violet who has continued her relationship with Zoe invites the girl to the engagement party.

Clint requests Violet to straighten her hair so everything is perfect when she meets his parents at their engagement party. Pauletta straightens her daughter’s hair. At the party, Violet meets Clint’s parents, feels pressured and uneasy, and goes off alone. Her high heels are killing her feet so she takes them off. Everyone is seated and waiting for her. Clint and Violet’s parents look for her. They find her. Violet says Zoe would go barefoot and knows who she is while she herself doesn’t. She goes barefoot to the swimming pool which is surrounded by the tables of people. She jumps in and invites others. Zoe, Violet’s two girlfriends, and others join her. Violet’s father grabs her mother and they jump in. Her parents make up and kiss. Clint disappointedly looks on.

Violet and Will are in the conference room of an ad agency with black executives. She is pitching Will’s plant-based hair products for women’s natural hair. After the meeting, Violet and Will are walking out. They speak to each other. Violet walks away confidently.

Cast

Production

The romantic comedy project Nappily Ever After was previously in development by Universal Pictures in 2003, when the studio had Patricia Cardoso to direct the film adaptation of Trisha R. Thomas' novel of same name, and the script was written by Tina Gordon Chism which was later rewritten by Lisa Loomer.[8][9] Halle Berry was boarded to star in the film which had producers Berry and Marc Platt along with Vincent Cirrincione and Angela DeJoseph.[9]

On August 15, 2017, it was announced that the film was now developing by Netflix and Sanaa Lathan was cast to play the lead role, which Haifaa al-Mansour would direct from a screenplay by Adam Brooks and Cee Marcellus. Producers would be Platt, Tracey Bing, Jared Leboff, and Lathan.[1] Ernie Hudson also joined the film to play Violet Jones' (Lathan) father Richard.[2] In August 2017, Lynn Whitfield had joined the film to play Violet's mother, Paulette.[4] In September 2017, more cast was announced which included Ricky Whittle as Clint, a doctor from London who has a long-term relationship with Violet; Lyriq Bent to play Will Wright, a hair stylist and salon owner who starts a new relationship with Violet; and Camille Guaty also joined the film to play Wendy, one of Violet's best friends.[5][3][6] On September 11, 2017, Brittany S. Hall was cast in the film to play one of Violet's best friends.[7]

Principal photography on the film began on August 28, 2017 in Atlanta.[5] Lathan shaved her head for her role in the film.[10][11]

Release

The film was released on September 21, 2018.[12]

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References
  1. Kroll, Justin (August 15, 2017). "Sanaa Lathan to Star in Netflix Adaptation of 'Nappily Ever After'". Variety. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  2. N'Duka, Amanda (August 15, 2017). "Sanaa Lathan, Ernie Hudson Cast In Netflix Film 'Nappily Ever After'". Deadline. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  3. Patten, Dominic (September 7, 2017). "Netflix's 'Nappily Ever After' Adds 'She's Got Have It's Lyriq Bent To Core Cast". Deadline. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  4. N'Duka, Amanda (August 21, 2017). "Lynn Whitfield Joins Sanaa Lathan In 'Nappily Ever After'". Deadline. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  5. Patten, Dominic (September 6, 2017). "'American Gods' Ricky Whittle Joins Netflix Pic 'Nappily Ever After'". Deadline. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  6. N'Duka, Amanda (September 8, 2017). "Camille Guaty Joins 'Nappily Ever After'; 'Boy Erased' Adds Madelyn Cline; Mark O'Brien Cast In 'How It Ends'". Deadline. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  7. N'Duka, Amanda (September 11, 2017). "Netflix Film 'Nappily Ever After' Adds Brittany S. Hall; Isabel Arraiza Cast In 'Driven'". Deadline. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  8. B., Brian (October 8, 2003). "Patricia Cardoso helms NAPPILY EVER AFTER". MovieWeb. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  9. B., Brian (September 8, 2004). "Lisa Loomer penning Nappily Ever After". MovieWeb. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  10. Dupre, Elyse (September 6, 2017). "Sanaa Lathan Shaves Her Head for Nappily Ever After Role". E! Online. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  11. Augustin, Camille (September 6, 2017). "Sanaa Lathan Shaves Head For 'Nappily Ever After' Movie Role". Vibe. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  12. "Netflix Debuts Key Art for "Nappily Ever After"". The Futon Critic. July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
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