is an excellent film and delivers a great message. You can mark this down as another Tyler Perry hit…but is it the same formula over and over again?
Academy Award Nominee Taraji P. Henson delivers in this film while effecting a “Diana Ross” look, although I’m sure that was not done on purpose (props to the First Diva of Pop.) Taraji has the acting pipes that undoubtedly carried the movie to a new level of realism. Beautifully Broken (hey, maybe that’ll be the title of MY screenplay…maybe?) in a world of shame and disappointments, Taraji P. Henson’s character April, lives the life of so many beautiful sisters that lost their way. Yes, she works for a living but is disconnected from her family (who hasn’t been there?) and relies on a married man to pay her bills. She spends her nights drinking and her days sleeping all her troubles away – then comes Madea…yes, that Madea.
Tyler Perry as Madea is as funny as ever (no surprise, right?) but she takes on a whole new level of crazy when she starts telling Biblical stories (including the St. Louis Arch, Eve – not the Eve of the Garden of Eden, but Eve of Ruff Ryder fame, Free Willy, and Noah turning his Arc into a cruise ship for entertainment plus other outlandish stories.) However, if you dig deep, deep, deeeeeeeeep, into all of her Madea-isms, you’ll find it comes from a place of love and tries to give hope – as evidenced in all of Tyler Perry’s movies that contain that outlandish character Madea. Hell, how many characters do you know (real or fictional) that would actually feed some kids who just broke into their house and destroyed some property? Exactly!
Adam Rodriguez – what a hottie, but beyond that…there’s an inner strength that transcends from the emotive eyes of his portrayal of the lead male character known as Sandino. We’re use to seeing Yonkers-born Adam Rodriguez (of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent) on CSI Miami, but he takes on a character in this film that’s looking for redemption in his own way – giving love, loyalty, understanding, and hope to others who not just crave it, but need it. Hollywood will best try to capitalize on this actor’s quiet but strong acting chops. Incidentally, I would kill for that jawline!!
Mary J. Blige and Gladys Knight play powerful, strong women. Although their character’s approaches may differ, they deliver the same message, “I’m telling you this because I love you (so I can)…get your life together and love yourself. Then, get your family together.” BUT said in their own formidable ways to Taraji P. Henson’s character, April. Now, do I really have to go into the singin’? We all know that Mary can blow, but Gladys Night? WOW! Gladys Knight IS the epitome of a soul singer who has decades of great music under her belt – and still tearin’ down the house with her vocals! Sing!!! Also, Taraji sang as well – who knew??? Don’t be surprised if she has a stint in music – powerful chords on that girl!
Not to be overlooked, the young actors playing the children will undoubtedly be the premier actors of tomorrow. London born and trained Hope Olaide Wilson gives one of the most powerful performances in “I can do Bad All by Myself.” Admittedly, she was the one who had me well-up in tears. To possess the skill and maturity to evoke such dark struggles with just a word, whimper, or stare makes this young actress a power-house in the making (look for her co-starring in a new Indie drama “Life is Hot in CrackTown.”) The young boy with the pretty black-rose skin (and eyes that’ll make you melt) is Kewsi Boakye. He also had a few dramatic scenes in which he acted to perfection. Look for Kwesi on the small screen opposite Ray Romano in “Men of A Certain Age.”
So, what’s a review without some Cons, right? This film did have one (though minor to the overall film), and y’all know I’m in love with TPS and Lion’s Gate, however…
The music, although uplifting and inspirational, almost made this heart-warming film a full-blown musical. I understand that when you have Gladys Knight and Mary J. Blige on the roster, you want them to sing – but full sets? Of course, I loved it, but when I saw Mary J. Blige grab the mic – again, I was like, “Well, it’s Mary J.” Then the Pastor sang, and sang, and sang, then he sang some more. Gladys sang too (top-notch) then back to the Pastor who sang and sang…and sang. Mary grabbed the mic again. Taraji sang too (sang her butt off) but did anyone else think that her last singing scene was just too reminiscent of Shug Avery’s song “God is Trying to Tell You Something” from the Color Purple Film? Again, Taraji showed her pipes, but it was a wee bit too much (again, not for me – I loved it!) BUT, If she were to burst into the church singing, “…right now, right now, right now…” Henry and Jonathan would have walked out. This could have very well been Madea the Musical (and yes, she even sang a little spiritual number in one scene.)
Overall I give it 4 out of 5 stars. We saw a Tyler Perry classic with the same formula (bad souls gone straight pushed by good people towards the glory of God and self-love along with a fairy-tale ending) but we did go home walking away with our hearts swelling with love and acting-out those damn funny Madea lines. Now, it’s time for Tyler Perry to work on new formulas and to stop playing it so safe to reach the “masses.”
Tyler Perry’s new film “Why Did I get Married Too”should be another great hit, starring Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Tasha Smith, Sharon Leal, Malik Yoba, Richard T. Jones and Michael Jai White. I really liked the first one (especially when Tyler acts as another bruh form around the way.)
Don’t forget: Lionsgate, Oprah Winfrey, and Tyler Perry present “PRECIOUS” A Lee Daniels film due in theaters November 6 – another MustSee!!! Click here for my “Precious Post” —> http://www.hluizpresents.com/2009/05/18/oprah-winfrey-tyler-perry-present-a-lee-daniels-film-precious/
Great film!!
I can’t wait to see Precious! I loved the book by Saphire.