"Bobby" (Tommy Davidson) is a young black man working as a mail clerk in a large firm with aspirations of getting ahead. Unlike his mentor, "Waymon Tinsdale III" (Joseph C. Phillips) he doesn't have the temperament it takes to work in a management position. He's too brash and hip. However, he has connections and one of them just happens to be "Natalie" (Halle Berry) who Waymon is just dying to meet. So Waymon promises Bobby that he will get him into the training program if he will introduce him to Natalie. At the same time however, Waymon is working on a huge business deal which can either make or break his career. Along with that there is at least one person named "David" (David Marshall Grant) who would rather have him fail miserably. Anyway, so much for the plot which has been used in one scenario or another many times before. That said, there really wasn't anything special or unique about it. The acting was adequate but the only person who stood out was Halle Berry who was absolutely gorgeous. The bottom line is that this is a film that is a bit light on comedy but cute all the same. It's not great-but it's not bad either. I rate it as average.
11 Reviews
Before they were stars?
LivingDog23 December 2003
This is a cute little flick in which many actors, who later get more fame, appear in the same film.
Tommy Davidson (In Living Color, stand-up comedian), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction and Star Wars?), Halle Berry (some movie where she got an Oscar for some reason), Denis Leary (stand-up comedian known for his song "A..hole"), and Sam Rockwell (Galaxy Quest) get together in this not too interesting flick about business as usual.
It's simple formula works for people in their teens. It has a "70's" feel to it that makes it not worth watching. I found it interesting to see them all together before they became more famous. Halle Berry *is* adorable.
The ending is incredibly drawn out. I kept screaming in my head "END IT, PLEASE END IT!" 6/10
-Zafoid
Tommy Davidson (In Living Color, stand-up comedian), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction and Star Wars?), Halle Berry (some movie where she got an Oscar for some reason), Denis Leary (stand-up comedian known for his song "A..hole"), and Sam Rockwell (Galaxy Quest) get together in this not too interesting flick about business as usual.
It's simple formula works for people in their teens. It has a "70's" feel to it that makes it not worth watching. I found it interesting to see them all together before they became more famous. Halle Berry *is* adorable.
The ending is incredibly drawn out. I kept screaming in my head "END IT, PLEASE END IT!" 6/10
-Zafoid
A Positive Movie
view_and_review23 August 2018
I must say, they surprised me. They surprised me by saving this movie. This movie was headed down the toilet and in the final hour (figuratively) they saved it.
Waymon Tinsdale (Joseph C. Philips) is a financial broker for a big time New York firm. He is successful, Black, and extremely square. They went way over the top in conveying that he was not hip and "whiter than the whitest white man" as stated by his friend Bobby (Tommy Davidson). It was just cringeworthy how out of place they made Waymon around other Black people. I wanted to scream looking at him attempting to fit in.
Then, for as intelligent as he was, they conveniently made him brainless trying to chase after Natalie (Halle Berry). Now, it's not out of the realm of possibility that a man would lose his head over Halle Berry, not at all. I'm sure there are a plethora of brilliant men that have lost their marbles over a beautiful woman, but it didn't fit in this instance.
As the story and the actions of Waymon seemed to get more and more outlandish they flipped it for a fairly brilliant ending. In fact, I was on my way to rating it a 3/10 or less but the ending prompted me to rate it a 7/10. I had a problem with some of the tropes but they were bearable. "Strictly Business" was a very positive movie after all with showing African Americans in a positive light regardless of what side of the tracks they grew up on.
Waymon Tinsdale (Joseph C. Philips) is a financial broker for a big time New York firm. He is successful, Black, and extremely square. They went way over the top in conveying that he was not hip and "whiter than the whitest white man" as stated by his friend Bobby (Tommy Davidson). It was just cringeworthy how out of place they made Waymon around other Black people. I wanted to scream looking at him attempting to fit in.
Then, for as intelligent as he was, they conveniently made him brainless trying to chase after Natalie (Halle Berry). Now, it's not out of the realm of possibility that a man would lose his head over Halle Berry, not at all. I'm sure there are a plethora of brilliant men that have lost their marbles over a beautiful woman, but it didn't fit in this instance.
As the story and the actions of Waymon seemed to get more and more outlandish they flipped it for a fairly brilliant ending. In fact, I was on my way to rating it a 3/10 or less but the ending prompted me to rate it a 7/10. I had a problem with some of the tropes but they were bearable. "Strictly Business" was a very positive movie after all with showing African Americans in a positive light regardless of what side of the tracks they grew up on.
Decent romantic drama/ comedy
jordondave-280857 March 2023
(1991) Strictly Business
ROMANTIC COMEDY DRAMA
Waymon Tinsdale (Joseph C. Phillips) works for a real estate firm in which he is supposed to look for potential clients willing to invest. And as a result of being unhappy with his current girlfriend who is shallow and artificial, upon having lunch with his boss, he does stumble onto a young woman he became infatuated with who had gotten fired from the very restaurant she was working at. And after dropping her pictures on the ground, he would then go on a crusade to find her, and he is unable to do it without the help of his friend, Bobby (Tommy Davidson) who sort of acts like an intern for the firm. And he would upgrade Bobby to a much higher position in exchange for more information about her as well as meet her.
Waymon Tinsdale (Joseph C. Phillips) works for a real estate firm in which he is supposed to look for potential clients willing to invest. And as a result of being unhappy with his current girlfriend who is shallow and artificial, upon having lunch with his boss, he does stumble onto a young woman he became infatuated with who had gotten fired from the very restaurant she was working at. And after dropping her pictures on the ground, he would then go on a crusade to find her, and he is unable to do it without the help of his friend, Bobby (Tommy Davidson) who sort of acts like an intern for the firm. And he would upgrade Bobby to a much higher position in exchange for more information about her as well as meet her.
Still Da Bomb!
dgordon-19 May 2003
I remember seeing this movie back in 1991, and a couple of times on TV, then it just disappeared. I was surprised to find that it was still in print on VHS, and I purchased it immediately! Tommy and Joseph are great in their roles. Not to mention it's great to see Halle Berry in her dope early '90s fashion, complete with ripped knee jeans and a leather jacket. Samuel Jackson plays his role great too as the boss from hell! This is a fun movie, and is very enjoyable to watch multiple times. It would be great to see it available on DVD in the future, but the VHS still looks great even after all of these years.
Fun movie.
GPeoples30 August 2002
Good clean movie with a message. They don't make them like this anymore. This movie reminds me of a later movie Mo Money!, though more for comedy with the Wayman brothers still clean and fun to watch. I gave this movie a 10 for entertainment value.
good comedy
SMLA111 June 2002
Strictly Business is a good feel-good comedy movie. Tommy davidson and Joseph Phillips are awesome as an on-screen duo. Halle Berry looks good in this one. This movie is bombed by critics, but I think it's good. I recommend this to anybody and everybody who is a fan of comedy movies.
Overall the movie is really funny and really good. Rating 9 out of 10.
Overall the movie is really funny and really good. Rating 9 out of 10.
Strictly fabulous
Newsense30 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I don't care what anybody says. Not many movies can capture the essence of the 90s like Strictly Business. See back then it was about having fun so the comedies we watched were just fun. Plus this one was pretty funny and had a slight sense of awareness(some comedies had that even Boomerang). Nowadays what passes for comedy is sheer garbage just like these overrated movies that Hollywood oversells to death. At any rate..
The story: Waymon Tisdale(Joseph C. Phillips) is a bank investor that is not too happy about his love life with his swishy and domineering girlfriend Diedre(Anne-Marie Johnson). He meets a beautiful girl named Natalie(Halle Berry) and ends up falling for her. He calls upon the help of a mail room clerk named Bobby(Tommy Davidson)to aid him in getting her.
Tommy Davidson is funny as hell in this movie. So is Joseph C. Phillips. He is pretty good as the square but likable Waymon Tisdale. Halle Berry was just gorgeous here as Natalie and to tell you the truth I like her 90s movies better than the junk she's in now. There are too many funny situations to name them all and Strictly Business perfectly captures everything about the 90s urban culture whether its the music or the fashion.
Pay no attention to pompous and sheep-minded critics that cant even write real reviews. If you want a 90s comedy that's fun to watch then look no further. If you want something overrated beyond belief then follow these easily manipulated puppets but prepare to be disappointed if you do.
The story: Waymon Tisdale(Joseph C. Phillips) is a bank investor that is not too happy about his love life with his swishy and domineering girlfriend Diedre(Anne-Marie Johnson). He meets a beautiful girl named Natalie(Halle Berry) and ends up falling for her. He calls upon the help of a mail room clerk named Bobby(Tommy Davidson)to aid him in getting her.
Tommy Davidson is funny as hell in this movie. So is Joseph C. Phillips. He is pretty good as the square but likable Waymon Tisdale. Halle Berry was just gorgeous here as Natalie and to tell you the truth I like her 90s movies better than the junk she's in now. There are too many funny situations to name them all and Strictly Business perfectly captures everything about the 90s urban culture whether its the music or the fashion.
Pay no attention to pompous and sheep-minded critics that cant even write real reviews. If you want a 90s comedy that's fun to watch then look no further. If you want something overrated beyond belief then follow these easily manipulated puppets but prepare to be disappointed if you do.
Now in my collection
desibel0726 January 2008
This is really a good movie. I look at it every time it comes on which is maybe once or twice a year.
Could never find it over the past 15 or so years, until my son found it for me Christmas week and I just got it -- so it's now in my movie collection.
A really feel good love story that breaks the boundaries of life styles, stereotypes of wealth and income levels. And that given a chance, many of us have talents to excel.
Critics often bash GOOD movies and we all miss out. Props to Kevin Hooks for directing.
Could never find it over the past 15 or so years, until my son found it for me Christmas week and I just got it -- so it's now in my movie collection.
A really feel good love story that breaks the boundaries of life styles, stereotypes of wealth and income levels. And that given a chance, many of us have talents to excel.
Critics often bash GOOD movies and we all miss out. Props to Kevin Hooks for directing.
Typical but still great
breakdownthatfilm-blogspot-com27 June 2013
I'm not sure if it's because people don't like popular actors' earlier works or if it's just because the movie was released in 1991, which is considered to be old now, but viewers have the tendency to find lesser value in these kinds of films. Yet, there are various actors here that should help make the viewer at least give it a watch for curiosity. Seriously, Samuel L. Jackson, the guy who played Nick Fury from The Avengers (2012) and Mace Windu from the three Star Wars prequels is in this movie acting as a balding grumpy boss at a business firm! It's quite comical to see him in this kind of role.
The premise is very basic, a businessman finds the girl of his dreams but can't find a way to meet her. Luckily, he has a friend who can get him inside the world she lives in so he can finally be happy. The businessman who only knows how to be a "business man" and nothing else is Waymon (Joseph C. Phillips). Waymon is the best portrayal of how backward someone's life can be depending on how they're brought up. To show this, Phillips makes Waymon look like a stiff, a guy who can't adapt to something different or new; a book worm. That's very relateable because a lot of people are like that when it comes to trying new things and breaking their comfort shell.
The person who will introduce Waymon to this change is Bobby (Tommy Davidson) who apparently lives in Harlem; in other words, his type of demeanor is quite the opposite of Waymon. This is what makes various scenes funny because of how Bobby acts with his co-workers and Waymon. The girl that Waymon wants to get to know is Natalie, played the ever so popular Halle Berry. May I mention that this is only her second theatrical release where she actually plays a more significant role? But even here, she puts in a nice performance, although it could be said that she's just here for eye-candy (which should be a reason to watch this I would think). The rest of the cast also does a good job in doing their part, so no complaints here.
Pam Gibson and Nelson George who did the writing have a decent script here as well. I am surprised to how many times the "N" word was spoken; yet I feel now that if it were left out, it would not have felt as authentic. The subplots are also rather typical but it's forgivable because how much charm the main actors give their characters. There are several genuinely funny scenes in this movie as well. Most of these scenes are the exchanges between Waymon and Bobby when Natalie is around.
However, the one thing I found a little unrealistic is how certain characters had connections to important people. I mean, I know it's possible but both characters have to have some kind of status on the corporate latter, not just one, unless it is one of those rare cases. So I was a little confused on how they met. No explanation was given, that could have at least been explained. Lastly, the musical score provided by Michel Colombier didn't have a main theme but it did carry a consistent tone, which pleased me. A lot of the music played carries culture and continually sounds upbeat and energetic. That always helps a movie, especially if its genre is romance/comedy. It's all around a solid movie.
Not only does it contain performances from actors in their earlier days but it also has a good story to go along with it. The character portrayals are also well scripted.
The premise is very basic, a businessman finds the girl of his dreams but can't find a way to meet her. Luckily, he has a friend who can get him inside the world she lives in so he can finally be happy. The businessman who only knows how to be a "business man" and nothing else is Waymon (Joseph C. Phillips). Waymon is the best portrayal of how backward someone's life can be depending on how they're brought up. To show this, Phillips makes Waymon look like a stiff, a guy who can't adapt to something different or new; a book worm. That's very relateable because a lot of people are like that when it comes to trying new things and breaking their comfort shell.
The person who will introduce Waymon to this change is Bobby (Tommy Davidson) who apparently lives in Harlem; in other words, his type of demeanor is quite the opposite of Waymon. This is what makes various scenes funny because of how Bobby acts with his co-workers and Waymon. The girl that Waymon wants to get to know is Natalie, played the ever so popular Halle Berry. May I mention that this is only her second theatrical release where she actually plays a more significant role? But even here, she puts in a nice performance, although it could be said that she's just here for eye-candy (which should be a reason to watch this I would think). The rest of the cast also does a good job in doing their part, so no complaints here.
Pam Gibson and Nelson George who did the writing have a decent script here as well. I am surprised to how many times the "N" word was spoken; yet I feel now that if it were left out, it would not have felt as authentic. The subplots are also rather typical but it's forgivable because how much charm the main actors give their characters. There are several genuinely funny scenes in this movie as well. Most of these scenes are the exchanges between Waymon and Bobby when Natalie is around.
However, the one thing I found a little unrealistic is how certain characters had connections to important people. I mean, I know it's possible but both characters have to have some kind of status on the corporate latter, not just one, unless it is one of those rare cases. So I was a little confused on how they met. No explanation was given, that could have at least been explained. Lastly, the musical score provided by Michel Colombier didn't have a main theme but it did carry a consistent tone, which pleased me. A lot of the music played carries culture and continually sounds upbeat and energetic. That always helps a movie, especially if its genre is romance/comedy. It's all around a solid movie.
Not only does it contain performances from actors in their earlier days but it also has a good story to go along with it. The character portrayals are also well scripted.
Friendly comedy about upward mobilty
lor_30 June 2023
My review was written in November 1991 after a screening on Manhattan's UES.
"Strictly Business" is a feel-good comedy about young blacks moving up the social ladder that could do solid business if audiences respond to a kinder, gentler type of picture.
Film eschews the gritty approach of recent black-themed pics for a Pollyannaish tale in which even the top white execs are portrayed as reasonable and fair-minded. Crossing class and social barriers is the issue here, not race.
The two heroes, debuting on the big screen after TV experience are handsome Joseph C. Phillips, intent on earning a partnership in a leading New York real estate firm, and streetwise Tommy Davidson, his friend in the mailroom who dreams of making the management trainee program.
Key link between the two is beautiful restaurant hostess Halle Berry, with whom Phillips is immediately infatuated. Davidson knows her from the 'hood and agrees to fix them up in return for Phillips' help at work.
Comedy comes from Phillips having to learn how to relate to Berry and other blacks since his nerdish success-oriented behavior has turned him into an insular workaholic.
Except for the forced, strictly wish-fulfillment final reel, the film is kept evenly on track by a light touch from debuting director Kevin Hooks, also a TV recruit.
Phillips displays impressive comic timing in executing some hilarious physical shtick and is complemented by the verbal savvy of stand-up comic Davidson. Anne Marie Johnson as Phillips' bossy girlfriend barks out orders during sex like a drill sergeant and earns some big laughs. Sam Jackson ("Jungle Fever") demonstrates his versatility as the mailroom boss.
Given a glamorous intro not unlike Bo Derek in "10" (complete with slow-mo torso photography), Berry is pic's revelation as a sexy and intelligent young woman. She's featured next in Warner Bros.' Christmas pic "The Last Boy Scout".
Film benefits from an infectious score by Micchel Colombier and several rap tunes by top artists like L. L. Cool J and Big Daddy Kane.
"Strictly Business" is a feel-good comedy about young blacks moving up the social ladder that could do solid business if audiences respond to a kinder, gentler type of picture.
Film eschews the gritty approach of recent black-themed pics for a Pollyannaish tale in which even the top white execs are portrayed as reasonable and fair-minded. Crossing class and social barriers is the issue here, not race.
The two heroes, debuting on the big screen after TV experience are handsome Joseph C. Phillips, intent on earning a partnership in a leading New York real estate firm, and streetwise Tommy Davidson, his friend in the mailroom who dreams of making the management trainee program.
Key link between the two is beautiful restaurant hostess Halle Berry, with whom Phillips is immediately infatuated. Davidson knows her from the 'hood and agrees to fix them up in return for Phillips' help at work.
Comedy comes from Phillips having to learn how to relate to Berry and other blacks since his nerdish success-oriented behavior has turned him into an insular workaholic.
Except for the forced, strictly wish-fulfillment final reel, the film is kept evenly on track by a light touch from debuting director Kevin Hooks, also a TV recruit.
Phillips displays impressive comic timing in executing some hilarious physical shtick and is complemented by the verbal savvy of stand-up comic Davidson. Anne Marie Johnson as Phillips' bossy girlfriend barks out orders during sex like a drill sergeant and earns some big laughs. Sam Jackson ("Jungle Fever") demonstrates his versatility as the mailroom boss.
Given a glamorous intro not unlike Bo Derek in "10" (complete with slow-mo torso photography), Berry is pic's revelation as a sexy and intelligent young woman. She's featured next in Warner Bros.' Christmas pic "The Last Boy Scout".
Film benefits from an infectious score by Micchel Colombier and several rap tunes by top artists like L. L. Cool J and Big Daddy Kane.
See also
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