Baggage Claim 2013

Montana Moore (Paula Patton), a flight attendant with a practical approach to love, has always been guided by her mother Catherine’s (Jenifer Lewis) philosophy of marriage. A glance at her mother’s numerous marriages suggests that this is more than just a passing interest. Montana, on the other hand, has had her fair share of unsuccessful relationships, leaving her with a deep-seated desire not to be alone. Her friends, Gail (Jill Scott), a free-spirited fellow flight attendant, and Sam (Adam Brody), a charming gay man who’s always ready with advice, have become her confidants in the quest for love.

As Montana navigates the dating landscape, she finds herself drawn to Graham Jackson (Boris Kodjoe), a man who seems to embody everything on her list of ideal qualities: faithful, career-balanced, and financially secure. When she discovers that Graham has written her a heartfelt letter inviting her to spend Thanksgiving with him in Chicago, she’s convinced that this might be the weekend he’ll propose.

Montana shares her excitement with her friends, who offer their own unique brand of advice. Gail gives her a pair of cranberry-flavored condoms, cautioning her to always be prepared, while Sam lends her a necklace passed down from his grandmother, a symbol of true love. As Montana prepares to leave for Chicago, she’s filled with anticipation and hope.

Upon arrival in Chicago, Montana and Graham take a romantic boat ride, which culminates in a passionate night together. However, their intimate evening is short-lived, as Graham leaves Montana at a hotel while he attends to some business matters. Feeling uneasy, Montana turns to Gail for support, leading her friend to suspect that Graham might be hiding another woman.

Despite her reservations, Montana decides to pay Graham an uninvited visit at his home, where she’s confronted with the uncomfortable truth: she’s been playing second fiddle to another woman all along. The revelation is a crushing blow, and Montana exits the situation feeling heartbroken and betrayed.

As William observes Montana’s fixation on a melancholic tune, he takes it upon himself to lift her spirits by preparing a nourishing meal for her. Later, Montana pays a visit to her mother and sister Sheree (Lauren London), where she’s met with the astonishing news that Sheree has recently become engaged. While Montana is initially skeptical about the union, given that her sister is still in college, Sheree remains adamant that her fiancé is perfect for her. She then extends an invitation for Montana to serve as maid of honor at the upcoming wedding, a prospect that fills her with trepidation. As she confides in Gail and Sam, Montana expresses her deep-seated fear of attending the wedding solo, knowing it would only lead to further scrutiny from her mother.

Determined to avoid such an embarrassment, Montana sets a deadline for herself: she must find a suitable partner within the next 30 days or risk facing the ignominy of walking down the aisle alone. Sam proposes an unconventional solution, leveraging his connections with airline personnel to manipulate Montana’s work schedule and facilitate encounters with her former flames. Gail is vehemently opposed to this plan, cognizant that it is morally questionable and flies in the face of Montana’s independence.

Undeterred, Sam sets out to track down Montana’s first ex, Damon Diesel (Trey Songz), a rapper rumored to possess a substantial fortune. Just as Montana is about to render her verdict on their reunion, Catherine drops by to deliver some harsh criticism, claiming that she has failed her daughter in securing her a meaningful relationship. Rebuffed, Montana returns to Sam, who supplies her with Damon’s flight information. She secures a ride to the airport from William, who harbors reservations about her unconventional approach but wishes her luck.

Montana’s carefully orchestrated “coincidence” yields a pleasant encounter with Damon on his flight to Houston, and their conversation flows smoothly. As they grow more comfortable, he invites her back to his residence for a relaxing soak in the bathtub – only to reveal that the property belongs to his eccentric colleague Janine (Tia Mowry). In a stunning twist, Damon confesses that he is financially strapped and has been relying on Janine’s generosity. He instructs Montana to make a discreet exit via the fire escape as Janine bursts into the room, intent on confronting him.

As the clock ticks down to her departure, Gail hands Montana a crucial piece of information: Bachelor #2 is bound for Washington D.C., and her window of opportunity is rapidly closing. With only an hour to spare, Montana must navigate a complex web of ex-lovers, including Langston (Taye Diggs), whose sudden reappearance sets the tone for a tumultuous evening. As they take to the skies together, Langston reveals his true intentions: a bid for Congress, and a desire for Montana’s presence by his side. The Donaldsons (Ned and Sandra Beatty), potential campaign contributors, are charmed by Langston’s charisma, but Montana is less than impressed with their condescending remarks.

Despite her reservations, Montana finds herself swept up in Langston’s whirlwind courtship, which culminates in a series of awkward encounters with the Donaldsons. His controlling nature becomes increasingly apparent as he dictates every move, including the drink he orders for her. As the night wears on, Montana’s frustration boils over, and she makes a hasty exit, leaving behind the outfit Langston had given her.

Back at William’s (actor name) place, Montana is treated to a vivid dream sequence that sees her rekindling an old flame with her former beau. The fantasy is short-lived, however, as reality sets in, and Montana finds herself waking up to Catherine’s gentle prodding. Seeking solace from her meddling mother, Montana concocts a tale about having a date to Sheree’s (actor name) rehearsal dinner, which serves as the perfect excuse to spend more time with William.

As the clock ticks down to her departure, Montana’s encounters with other exes only serve to deepen her disappointment and frustration. On yet another flight, she is confronted with a painful reminder of her past: William’s girlfriend Taylor (Christina Milian) in the midst of a messy breakup. Despite Taylor’s pleas for secrecy, Montana’s anger boils over as she realizes that she has once again been caught in the crossfire of someone else’s drama.

In the dead of night, Montana’s phone rings, but instead of finding solace in conversation with William, she’s interrupted by Taylor’s presence. Seizing control of the situation, Montana snatches the phone from William and promptly hangs up on her friend. The aftermath finds Montana drowning her sorrows in a bar, where she becomes the center of attention for Quentin (Djimon Hounsou), an old flame who rekindles their connection over a meal. With a mixture of candor and wisdom, he shares his desire to explore the world rather than settle into matrimony, leaving Montana feeling defeated as she departs.

Later, William pays Montana a visit, eager to express his feelings about her misguided plans. However, instead of listening, Montana launches into a tirade about Taylor’s involvement, effectively shutting down any potential for understanding. As a result, William leaves feeling unheard and frustrated with Montana’s choices.

The night of the rehearsal dinner arrives, and Catherine takes great pleasure in announcing that Montana has an important revelation to share. But before she can utter a word, Langston surprises everyone by proposing. Catherine hastily intervenes, only to be rejected by Montana, who reveals her true intentions: seeking acceptance and equality through marriage. However, as she gazes out at the gathering, Montana realizes that self-discovery is her ultimate goal.

In a poignant moment of introspection, Montana shares with Sheree the importance of loving one’s partner for their own sake, rather than succumbing to external pressures. This epiphany resonates deeply with Sheree and her fiancé, who confess that they rushed into engagement due to the influence of Sheree’s mother. Together, they decide to put the brakes on their wedding plans, choosing instead to focus on getting to know each other before tying the knot.

As the evening draws to a close, Catherine seeks out Montana to apologize for forcing her and her sister down the path of matrimony. She reveals that Montana’s father was her one true love, whose passing left an indelible mark on her heart. With a warm hug, Catherine imparts words of wisdom: never let go of your true love when you find it, and always prioritize self-discovery above all else.

As Quentin (actor’s name) stops by for a casual get-together with Gail and Sam, Montana is unexpectedly thrust into a moment of introspection. Despite Gail’s prodding, Montana makes it clear that she won’t settle for fleeting romance or lavish gestures; instead, she craves something more substantial, something that resonates on a deeper level. Quentin shares her sentiment, and together they agree that the allure of expensive gifts and exotic adventures pales in comparison to the authenticity of genuine connection.

Meanwhile, Gail’s eyes widen as Montana unwraps a thoughtful gift from William - a box of Cracker Jacks, reminiscent of their childhood escapades, complete with a toy ring. The nostalgic surprise is heightened by the discovery of a plane ticket to France hidden within the box, set to depart at 11:45 PM that very evening.

As the friends scramble to secure transportation to the airport, William himself appears on the scene, racing against time to catch his flight. Sam, ever resourceful, mobilizes his airline contacts to stall William’s departure until Montana can arrive at the gate. Though she narrowly misses her flight by mere minutes, Montana’s determination pays off as she finally confronts William at the gate.

In a poignant and romantic turn of events, William confesses his love for Montana, then presents her with a genuine proposal - one that she gladly accepts, sealing their love with a tender kiss.

As Gail and Sam depart the airport, Montana sets her sights on reuniting them with William, sensing an opportunity to bring her friends together in a way that will leave them all better off. The ensuing chaos and competition for William’s affections serves as the perfect conclusion to this cinematic tale.