Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Synopsis

Tyler Perry's popular stage play Diary of a Mad Black Woman is hitting the big screen. Loyal fans get ready for family favorite, Madea. She is back at it again, but ready to help her granddaughter Helen McCarter (Kimberly Elise, John Q) who shows up on her doorstep in the midnight hour after being kicked out of her lavish home by her high-powered attorney husband, Charles McCarter (Steven Harris, The Practice). He no longer loves Helen and wants a divorce so he can move his mistress in. After 18 years of being the loyal wife and living the high class life in luxury, Helen has lost herself, money, and life and must find a way to become a strong woman on her own who can forgive in order to move forward. With the help of Madea, new love Orlando (Shemar Moore, The Young and the Restless) and her diary, she just might.

Review

What can I say? Tyler Perry is a true talent. The filling of this man is mixed with so many ingredients -- humor, perseverance, faithfulness, anointing, eccentricity, and the list goes on and on. His moral fiber is prevalent through his plays, and in Diary.

I don’t believe that Tyler will give us one of his works without any type of Christian message. I commend him for that. People may say this film is too preachy or has too much gospel music, but I truly believe that Tyler writes for his dedicated fans. In return, his fans stick by him. They faithfully buy tickets to see his plays, movies, and purchase his DVD’s. His fans have embraced this man and everything that comes with him. So, what can a critic say? It may sound something like this, “This movie seems like a comedic soap-opera.” Perhaps it is, but I may be partial because I watch daytime and primetime soaps. And just the other day my soaps didn’t tape. I was fit to be tied. I can't wait until I watch my stories. Can someone tell me what happened on The Y & R on Tuesday? Oops...forgive me as I digress. What else can us critics say, “Madea (Tyler Perry) acts a fool.” I bet we can name one or two silly or over-the-top people in our family. It’s still family—so we have to love them.

My dad and I went to see Diary together and we talked back to the screen like every one else did in the theater. If you want peace and quiet when you go see a movie, Diary is not that film. I suggest you wait to rent and watch it in the comfort and tranquility of your own home. Tyler’s fans can't hold their tongues or emotions. They will clap, yell, sigh, moan and voice their opinion during this movie. Call it interactive movie going. It's hard not to talk back to the screen with this film.

The movie starts on the 18th anniversary of the McCarters, and Charles (Harris) gives devoted wife Helen (Elise) the unwanted gift of dragging her out of their home onto the front steps with the door slam to the face as the bow on top. This humiliating scene is done right in front of Charles' mistress. The, Oh no he didn't came from every direction in the theater. I remember my father saying Get up girl as she fought to stay in the house. I don't know how many times I said MMM MMM MMMMM. It was truly a pathetic scene, as Helen was acting a FOOL trying to stay. She was kicking and screaming and Charles wasn't having it, setting the tone that he is a bleepity bleep. Nowhere to go, Helen reluctantly travels to her grandmother's (Madea) and great Uncle Joe's house. By day break Madea sets the record straight withHelen about being put out of her own home. Madea is a drama queen as she huffs, and her eyes bug out behind her big glasses. Madea drags Helen back to her mansion to get half of what she thinks belongs to her grandbaby. Madea truly means half. She cuts the furniture right down the center with a chain saw. Couch stuffing EVERYWHERE.

Tyler plays 3 characters (Madea/Joe/Brian). The beloved Madea is just a hot mess. Hot. Mess. She speaks her own language --“Heller” (hello). She is not really the main character in the film, but Tyler fans recognize her. Many revere her. She makes no excuses for who she is. She's a loud mouth, gun packing, house arrested, all about the family woman. She's exaggeratedly dramatic but, Madea’s loyal fans will always be their to support her. Even though she is a fictional character, she seems like she's part of our family. When people hear that Madea is coming to town for a stage play, watch out. Her family will be there for the reunion.

Madea’s brother Joe is just an ornery old man who gets his weed on and has no problem passing the dutchie. He’s rather nasty with his farting. I never liked when movies have farting or toilet scenes. It’s not funny. It may be to a juvenile, but not to an adult. I find these types of bodily functions are often inserted into comedies and it is just disgusting. I suppose I never embraced the sound of a whoopi cushion. Joe and Madea actually do have on screen chemistry together, but Joe is just nasty and doesn't want Helen taking up space in their home.

I really like Tyler's role as Brian. Brian is Helen’s cousin and just a great father, husband and attorney. He has patience with his junkie wife who gives her tough love. He’s there for his kids, and helps Helen with her legal matters. This character seems very real to me. He actually brings some levelness to the film with his calm cool voice. Orlando, (Shemar Moore,) Brian's friend also balances out the melodramatics in this movie too. Orlando is a dream guy and I think the ladies will like the romantic subplot. He is kind, patient, hard working and a strong man with Christian values he lives by. Do these men really exist? Yes, they do and it is not unrealistic to add a character like him in the movie.

Does straight drama mix with comedy? This film does. When a movie takes you to a dark place with its scenes, it is nice to get some comic reprieve mixed in with characters like Madea.This movie conjured up quite a few emotions in me and when this happens I feel as if I've been entertained. I laughed with Madea, I cried with Helen, I was angry with Charles, and I fell for Orlando. Does it mean that the movie was the best film of the year? No! Does it mean everyone will like it? No. I don't know if Tyler even cares if everyone likes his movies.His key demographic does, and they support him wholeheartedly.It may not get an Oscar, but I bet it receives an NAACP Image Award. Tyler has a knack for making money off of his low budget films.

My Rating ~ 4 Reels

Audience Rating (What's Yours?)