Article posted: 1/18/2013 3:35 PM

Movie 'LUV' falls victim to cliche

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Ex-con Vincent (Common), center, takes his nephew Woody (Michael Rainey Jr.) around town as he meets up with friends and associates in "LUV," also starring Charles S. Dutton, left.

Vincent (Common) spends time with pal Arthur (Danny Glover) in "LUV."

About this Article

It comes as a disappointment that "LUV," a drama about the tragic realities of fathers and sons in unforgiving urban environs, can't measure up to the lyricism of its star's own music. The film stars Common, the thoughtful, charismatic Chicago rhymer who, in three- and four-minute hip-hop ruminations, summons more vibrant social imagery than the well-intended but hollow 1½ hours of "LUV."