Disappearing Acts DVD

Gina Prince-Bythewood's DISAPPEARING ACTS, based on the novel by Terry McMillan, is a mature look at relationships in the late 1990s. Franklin gets day work in construction, with hopes of someday owning his own business. Zora teaches music and voice but dreams of becoming a successful singer-songwriter. When these two lonely, intelligent people meet, fireworks are not far off. But once the two become involved, secrets are uncovered, and their relationship begins to unravel. Zora suffers from epilepsy and soon becomes pregnant, and Franklin just happens to be married with two kids, and he never graduated high school. Sanaa Lathan (who starred with Omar Epps in Prince-Bythewood's LOVE AND BASKETBALL) and Wesley Snipes (in one of his few romantic leads since Spike Lee's JUNGLE FEVER) are excellent in their roles as lovers struggling to just get by in their Brooklyn neighborhood. Michael Imperioli (THE SOPRANOS), Clark Johnson (HOMICIDE), and John Amos (ROOTS) are good in minor parts. The fine soundtrack enhances the atmosphere as these two lost souls battle to bring warmth and love into their sparse worlds.

Cable premiere: December 9, 2000. Filmed on location in Brooklyn and Manhattan and at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, New York. Author Terry McMillan was offered more money to make the film as a theatrical release but opted to work with HBO in order to be given the freedom to see her vision come to life. About the director and the screenwriter, McMillan said, "They made the process smooth. I would work with them again any day of the week." Terry McMillan is also the author of WAITING TO EXHALE and HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK, both of which were turned into successful feature films. Leonard Welch, the father of a child with McMillan, sued in 1990, claiming that the character of Franklin was based on him except it was mean-spirited and libelous. Among the songs used in the film are tracks by the Isley Brothers, Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, Nina Simone, and Chaka Khan.

Disappearing Acts Quotes/Excerpts:

"But a guy has to be a millionaire for me to give him the time of day?"--Zora (Sanaa Lathan) "See, the brother can't even afford to buy a watch."--Portia (Regina Hall)

This is the only Ellis Aunjanue video. Stars also making their debut in this video: Kamaal Fareed.

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