“In the Mix” is one of those only-in-the-movies movies. If you know the first thing about how the Mafia works, particularly today, it’s immediately obvious that nothing in the picture is remotely plausible. But in playing off the Mob stereotypes and playing to Usher’s considerable on-screen charm, the movie works as a piece of escapism.

R&B star Usher, whose last album, “Confessions,” sold 15 million copies around the globe, plays Darrell, a New York DJ hired to spin records at a homecoming party for Dolly (Emmanuelle Chriqui), the daughter of Mob boss Frank (Chazz Palminteri). The connection: Darrell’s dad worked as a bartender in Frank’s restaurant and so the families have known each other for years.

While Frank is giving a speech welcoming his daughter back home, Darrell spots a car driving slowly down the street and sees a gun coming out of the window. Diving to tackle Frank and save his life, Darrell takes a bullet in the shoulder.

Since you don’t take the victim of a botched Mafia hit to the hospital, Frank gets Darrell stitched up by a friendly doctor and then deposits him in the family mansion to recuperate.

All of the above is highly unlikely for several reasons, including the fact that, contrary to popular mythology, Mafia families try not to shoot it out with each other. But things get even goofier when Frank decides that the impetuous Dolly, an independent-minded law student, needs a full-time bodyguard.

She tricks her dad into letting her pick from any of the men in the house at the time. Of course, she chooses Darrell, and he can’t turn down the job. But Frank also sends the coarse, ambitious Jackie (Matt Gerald) to follow Darrell and Dolly.

What he sees is a blooming romance, and he’s quick to try to end it. But Jackie’s got another agenda as well, setting a collision course that brings him into conflict with Darrell, Dolly and eventually her entire family.

Surprisingly, all of this comes together pretty well — if you’re willing to suspend your disbelief.

Usher isn’t a great actor, but he’s better than most pop stars who try to make the transition to the big screen. He’s got some heart, can deliver the humor and is believable enough in the action scenes that he’s able to carry the movie.

Importantly, he and Chriqui generate some chemistry on screen. Their romance, clearly lifted from the “Romeo & Juliet” formula, is the heart of the picture and they are entirely believable as a couple. She’s also not a bad actress and she’s a beauty. Look for more from her in the future.

Palminteri doesn’t exactly have to make a big reach to play the Mafia chieftain, nor do the lineup of usual suspects that play his henchmen. Gerald makes a good bad guy, but his duplicity is obvious from the beginning, making the movie’s final few plot twists obvious well before they occur.

Director Ron Underwood brings the story together with just the right tone. Had it been played for pure comedy, the movie would have stunk. But it doesn’t take itself overly seriously. The action and romance are well balanced and everyone involved seems to know that what’s being shown is pure fantasy.

It will be interesting to see if Usher’s popularity crosses over to the box office. If it does, “In the Mix” is appealing enough that it could be a surprise semi-hit.

Reach L. Kent Wolgamott at 473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com.