I have to give it to Tyler Perry, if nothing else; he is a smart business man who has created a formula that works. Why Did I Get Married started out as a stage play, which was subsequently taped for home video last year and now his fourth feature film. Aside from recycling the same story multiple times, Mr. Perry keeps cost low, ensuring that even if the movie is a flop by box office standards, he comes out on top making upwards of five times what it cost to produce. That's smart business. There is a market out there that's looking for a little bit more that violence and absolute absurdity that is often accompanied by movies directed towards African American audiences and Mr. Perry, perhaps, helps to fill that void. I was relieved to not have to sit through Mr. Perry parade the screen in drag, and while this is his best work to date, Why Did I Get Married is no cinematic masterpiece.
The definite standouts were Tasha Smith and Bill T. Jones who committed and delivered despite a stiff and didactic script. Smith keeps the one-liners rolling and as an emasculating alcoholic that tells it like it is. Jones plays the part of a husband that belittles his overweight wife; he plays it so well that you hate to dislike him. The film delves into a plethora of issues, so many in fact, that it may be easier to talk about the issues not addressed. The story meanders a bit as a lot of the relationships don't make consistent sense. However, I found it to be entertaining and a good stab at exploring the complexities of black love. I have to commend Mr. Perry for his growth and for creating a body of work that highlights "positive" black folk and I will continue to support his endeavors. I don't know if it's the responsibility of black movie goers or black film makers, but I would like to see a great movie like Talk to Me have the same sort of opening weekend that Why Did I Get Married had.
The definite standouts were Tasha Smith and Bill T. Jones who committed and delivered despite a stiff and didactic script. Smith keeps the one-liners rolling and as an emasculating alcoholic that tells it like it is. Jones plays the part of a husband that belittles his overweight wife; he plays it so well that you hate to dislike him. The film delves into a plethora of issues, so many in fact, that it may be easier to talk about the issues not addressed. The story meanders a bit as a lot of the relationships don't make consistent sense. However, I found it to be entertaining and a good stab at exploring the complexities of black love. I have to commend Mr. Perry for his growth and for creating a body of work that highlights "positive" black folk and I will continue to support his endeavors. I don't know if it's the responsibility of black movie goers or black film makers, but I would like to see a great movie like Talk to Me have the same sort of opening weekend that Why Did I Get Married had.
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