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Motives

  • Video
  • 2004
  • R
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
5.2/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
Vivica A. Fox and Shemar Moore in Motives (2004)
Home Video Trailer from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Play trailer1:20
2 Videos
18 Photos
DramaThriller

Motive is an edgy thriller that centers around Emery Simms, a highly educated and successful business tycoon who happens to be married to the quintessential wife Constance. Things go dangero... Read allMotive is an edgy thriller that centers around Emery Simms, a highly educated and successful business tycoon who happens to be married to the quintessential wife Constance. Things go dangerously awry when the thrill seeking Emery engages in an adulterous fling with the wildly fre... Read allMotive is an edgy thriller that centers around Emery Simms, a highly educated and successful business tycoon who happens to be married to the quintessential wife Constance. Things go dangerously awry when the thrill seeking Emery engages in an adulterous fling with the wildly free-spirited and exotic Allanah. Timing couldn't be any worse when the politics of high soci... Read all

  • Director
    • Craig Ross Jr.
  • Writer
    • Kelsey Scott
  • Stars
    • Vivica A. Fox
    • Shemar Moore
    • Golden Brooks
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.2/10
    1.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Craig Ross Jr.
    • Writer
      • Kelsey Scott
    • Stars
      • Vivica A. Fox
      • Shemar Moore
      • Golden Brooks
    • 21User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations total

    Videos2

    Motives
    Trailer 1:25
    Motives
    Motives
    Trailer 1:20
    Motives
    Motives
    Trailer 1:20
    Motives

    Photos17

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    Top cast28

    Edit
    Vivica A. Fox
    Vivica A. Fox
    • Constance Simms
    Shemar Moore
    Shemar Moore
    • Emery Simms
    Golden Brooks
    Golden Brooks
    • Allannah James
    Sean Blakemore
    Sean Blakemore
    • Brandon
    Joe Torry
    Joe Torry
    • Derrick Woods
    Victoria Rowell
    Victoria Rowell
    • Detective Pierce
    Mel Jackson
    Mel Jackson
    • Detective Morgan
    William L. Johnson
    William L. Johnson
    • Ray
    Caryn Ward
    Caryn Ward
    • Gwendolyn
    Keshia Knight Pulliam
    Keshia Knight Pulliam
    • Letrice
    Brian Hite
    Brian Hite
    • Kenneth Stroud
    David E. Collier
    David E. Collier
    • Reyes
    • (as David Collier)
    Candice Carbo
    • Anna
    Antwan Mills
    Antwan Mills
    • Stan
    Mike Pniewski
    Mike Pniewski
    • Simon
    • (as Mike Piniewski)
    A.J. Merrill
    A.J. Merrill
    • Jim
    Mwangi Kwesi
    • Russell
    Frank Ski
    Frank Ski
    • Senator
    • Director
      • Craig Ross Jr.
    • Writer
      • Kelsey Scott
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews21

    5.21.1K
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    Featured reviews

    doreatha_mae

    My thoughts on the movie Motives

    I thought that the movie was good. I feel that the story line could have been more developed, in some ways but overall it was a good and well written movie. It has some very interesting twists and turns that are very surprising, but make the movie that much better. Its full of suspense. Its a good mystery thriller.

    I believe that is was beautiful to see African American people in a movie like this. Instead of seeing the typical, gangster movie or comedy or a movie showing the black struggle. It was just good to see a mystery, a smart film that was just about how life can be, not so much about race. I hope to see many more movies like this.
    2crmycoco-31720

    What was the MOTIVE for making this mess?

    Unlike some reviewers who didn't like this movie because it has an all black cast, I liked it BECAUSE it had an all black cast that wasn't singing, dancing or rapping, or being portrayed as drug addled ghetto trash. I like seeing black ppl in "normal" stories about lust, murder, money and revenge. However, this is where my praise ends.

    THIS MOVIE SUCKED THE HOT AIR OUT OF ALL BALLOONS EVERYWHERE!!!!!

    I'm not sure if it was the plot, the sophomoric acting or the lazy direction, but this film sunk to the bottom of cinematic trash and all the king's horses and all the king's men could not save it.

    Personally, I think Vivica A. Fox is above this kind of straight to video crap, but if it pays the bills...whatever. Do you boo!

    The scenery was beautiful and should be nominated for an Oscar, however.

    If you've nothing better to do on a lazy Saturday afternoon...maybe you want to get your taxes done to some background noise...then this might be the film for you. Otherwise, you'd be better off checking out L.A. Confidential or The Devil in the Blue Dress for any kind of cinematic satisfaction.
    4kosmasp

    Come (and) plan

    No pun intended - this reminds me a bit of the Trois series (if you can call it that I reckon) ... this thankfully was only two movies: this one and the sequel of course. Not really a great story behind it - and even worse humans representing them. I doubt many will feel with the main character here ... we are supposed to root for him and he goes and does stuff that ... well again mostly we shouldn't like.

    That said, it doesn't mean he did something horrible ... the thing he is accused of. His wife seems quite unaware - and you may not like her. Even when she does make sense (trying to hold him accountable) ... I reckon some may find her annoying. But Vivica A. Fox is right ... and should actually be the most likeable character ... until she undoes everything towards the end ... which may make you think ... well I won't go into details! And the sequel will shine some light on the questions that may have felt like they are not answered here.

    Still predictable - I think you can waste your time with better stuff. Even if I do like the actors (most of them) involved in this project.
    4dromasca

    African-American soap erotic thriller

    This film tries to combine several genres, in a quite a strange mix. The plot happens in Atlanta, and involves a businessman and restaurant owner married un-happily apparently with a charity organization leader, involved in all type of dubious activities, including stock market fraud, murder, and a steamy extra-marital affair. The pace and the moral approach is of a 70s TV soap opera, combined with a 90s erotic thriller. Nothing too bad, but nothing original or really interesting either. Characters are one-dimensional, their physical appearance is all that counts. The plot twist towards the end works quite well, or it worked for me in any case.

    The odd thing is that all main characters, without any exception are Afro-American. This does not work in my opinion - the American society as I know it is multi-racial, and reversed segregation does not work, not on life, and not on screen. Why? Is this meant to be a revenge to the all segregated approach of film making in the 40s or 50s? Well, it does not succeed to be more than a DVD rental minor film, and the reason is probably that it never tries to be more.

    Not to be mis-understood, Afro-American film-making can be great (mentioning just Spike Lee is kind of trivial) but only when it approaches life and minority causes in a realistic and good taste manner. This is not the case here. 4 out of 10 on my personal scale.
    7dskuku

    Entire talented cast!

    One of the outcomes of the struggle Black actors in Hollywood obviously face (judging from their relative absence on the screen) is that one can afford to have an entire cast of actors who can actually act. Much that comes out of the mainstream film industry is that a star or two leads of relatively unseasoned, mediocre cast of pretty faces. Films such as this, with a notably soap-operaish plot, brighten the screen and captivate out interests because of the talent of so many talented actors on one screen, in one film. It's was an experience to see seasoned actors play off one another, feeding viewers desire to see what would happen next. And Vivica Fox is just fierce. Shemar Moore and most of the others are fine, too!

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Except for the one Caucasian secretary, this film features an all African American cast.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Making of 'Motives' (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      TOO STRONG TO BE THIS WEEK
      Performed by MELENI

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 24, 2004 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Motive
    • Filming locations
      • Atlanta, Georgia, USA
    • Production companies
      • Motive Productions
      • Rainforest Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 27m(87 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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