Jason Howard Green

Jason Howard Green

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Last weekend I took a couple of hours of my time and went to see a film by my favorite closeted gay man, Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself. Let me tell you now, if you're not a fan of Tyler Perry movies then you are not going to enjoy this film. It is very Perry-esque. He is criticized by many as making the same type of film over and over again. But for me - I LOVED IT!!!

Okay - let me start with the cast. Taraji P. Henson. Mary J. Blige. Gladys Knight. Marvin Winans. The professionals are on top of their game in this one. But Gladys and Mary are known for their singing not their acting. I was wondering if they would be able to bring it to the big screen. They do not disappoint. Their acting skills are terrific. And it helps they both get a chance to pick up the mic and belt out a song or two. Same goes for gospel great Marvin Winans. Playing the role of a preacher was probably not that difficult for him but he shines the most for me when he is in his natural element, singing in front of the choir. Then there is this young lady that I'm seeing for the first time. To me she is the star of the movie. It is Ms. Hope Olaide Wilson. She is playing the part of a 16-year-old that is basically the sole care provider for her two little brothers. This girl made me weak and had me crying like a lil' school girl several times throughout the film.

Now let's talk about the music. Outside of the home of the leading lady, there are two places we see often in this movie. The club where she performs and the church. So there are several opportunities for someone to break into song. As I mentioned already you have two of R&Bs greatests in this film. Is there any doubt that the music would be stellar? My only disappointment about the music is that there is no soundtrack available just yet. Come on Tyler Perry, what are you waiting on? Give me the music.

The storyline is so moving. Taraji plays April, a lounge singer that enjoys her single life and her frequent visits from her boyfriend (that just happens to be a married man). Her life is interrupted when her sister's kids wind up at her front door with no place else to go. They were caught stealing from Madea and you know she don't play that. I will admit that the story is very predictable. I don't think you'll be surprised by the ending. It's a Tyler Perry film and he tends to stick one formula. Which is why he is constantly ridiculed by the critics. But I'm ain't mad a Tyler. If it's a formula that works then why mess with it. The film in moving and inspirational and laced with good ole Christian values - halleluyer! But is that bad. Lord knows with all the craziness in the world right now we need all the positive messages we can get. So I'm gonna encourage Tyler Perry to keep on keeping on. And when you look at the influence he now has in Hollywood and you look at his bank account - the man must be doing something right.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad I wasn't the only one who enjoyed it, but, then again, I've enjoyed all his movies. This one has had many a mouth yapping in the black community, and even with mainstream reviews, this one has done pretty good, when most of his flicks get knocked. Give me a positive, feel good movie with a black cast of actors and actresses who Hollywood ignores any day of the week!

Jason Howard Green said...

Thank you. Great acting. Great music. Great message. How can you hate on that?