Review of “I Think I Love My Wife”

Chris Rock’s latest film, “I Think I Love My Wife,” is about the most mundane of topics: Boredom in marriage. Yet there is a most artful subversion at play. Which subterfuge makes the movie more worthy — and fraught with a bit more meaning — than would appear on the surface.

Rock is married to Gina Torres. They love each other. They live in a gorgeous wood-shingled house in one of New York City’s bedroom communities. They have two kids they adore. They are intelligent. They have intelligent friends. Including in a zesty cameo, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.

What they don’t have is sex. So, Rock, as does the protagonist in “Chloe In The Afternoon,” the French film on which this was based, has a wandering eye. He hooks up with Kerry Washington, who plays the ex-girlfriend of an old pal of Rock’s. She and Rock had a platonic relationship back when. But she’s a looker, still out and about, and Rock is slobbering.

Serious flirtation ensues. Rock’s job is jeopardized.

This look see at marital boredom is nothing out of the ordinary. It is difficult at times to believe Chris Rock, a comedian with a seriously strong persona, is really this boring investment consultant named Richard Cooper. Especially during those moments — truly funny moments — when Rock rips off one of his patented bon mots.

Torres is lovely as his wife, but her story really isn’t told. Washington is scintillating as the thirtysomething looker who knows her glory days of nightlife are on the wane. She’s hoping to settle down, frankly, with Rock. How it all plays out is pleasant enough, if not boffo cinema.

What struck me was the sociological innuendo. These are seriously upper middle class folks with seriously upper middle class problems that have nothing to do with street violence and are completely devoid of a racial animus. It is as if Rock purposely made a flick that says: Blacks, nay African-Americans, are just exactly the same as others, living the same socioeconomic lifestyle.

And, when you think of it, it’s a subtle but truly subversive message. For, truth is, it’s difficult for Caucasians to get past difference in skin color or ethnicity, when assessing other folks. Jewish people wonder what Catholic marrieds are like? Is there really a lot of drinking in the home, or is that a skewed stereotype. Both types wonder what it’s like for that Indian couple down the block and the Asian family around the corner? Are they like us? Or different?

Rock is saying we’re all the same.

I don’t know, maybe I’m reading too much into “I Think I Love My Wife,” because I’m looking for a provocative angle to a run-of-the-mill dramedy. Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

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