Men, Money and Gold Diggers

A wealthy investment banker “with a swagger like Denzel Washington” learns that money can't buy love in a muted novelization of Johnson's stage play of the same name. Caleb Peterson has no trouble getting “fly-ass” ladies, but things never seem to work out: Kendra's after his wallet, Asia's just too sweet, and as for Miss Bud Light—well, Caleb doesn't even know her name until after they're in the buff (though he learns her 42 double-Ds are named Water and Melon). When beautiful former model Paisley Terrell enters the picture, things start to look up for Caleb, and soon enough he's giving his heart away yet again. His friends warn him not to give his cash away as well, so when Caleb makes an impromptu marriage proposal, talk of a prenup soon follows. Paisley protests, and complications, both romantic and economic, ensue. Johnson is a force in contemporary African-American theater, but without actors adding life to his words, the dialogue is stiff and the characters two-dimensional. (Apr.)