Bildungsroman disguised as rom-com, the refreshing script much more concerned with its heroine's emotional arc and personal growth than her ultimate relationship status.

Unfortunately, instead of coming across as a warm throwback, Nappily Ever After is a romantic comedy saddled with a reductive understanding of black womanhood without enough cast chemistry or beauty to distract us.

Nappily Ever After is as much a polemic as it is anything else.

Nappily Ever After is a movie that looks good on paper and tries very hard, but just misses the mark.