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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
to Alizoom for the lesson on the name Madea...evidently the article's author needed it.
I enjoyed "Diary of A Mad Black Woman" despite myself. Madea is a howl!
However, I was offended by the rather obvious Christian message and the sort of "come to Jesus" moment at the climax of the movie. Given how the message of Jesus is delivered in such heavy-handed, out of context fashion these days, the last thing I need is a church service pretending to be a movie. So that part was a bit much. The movie was slapstick but touching, and there were some very capable actors on hand like Steve Harris, Shemar Moore, and Kimberly Elise. To say the acting was terrible is to devalue the very good work these actors have done in other films and television. I think you could still get the core message across without all the church scenes and all the hollering, but that's just me. Having said that, this is a pretty fair representation of a slice of African American culture and it deserves more attention than it's gotten. Black people have a deep and profound sense of the spiritual, and it takes many forms, not just the Christian variety. My hope is that Tyler Perry will continue to grow as an artist and make plays and films that will show more of the human complexity of black people. As people begin to more fully understand our humanity, racism and the whole horrific legacy of slavery will become a distant memory as it should.
I'm a Puerto Rican woman and while I get a kick out of Walter Mercado, Sabado Gigante and telenovelas, I don't have any delusions about them being anything more than pulp entertainment. If you love Tyler Perry's work, great, but don't try to make it out to be something it isn't. And why care if critics pan it? Did anyone really think Roger Ebert would like the film?
First off, I haven't seen the movie, but I would assume that it's not geared toward critical acclaim, but as entertainment with a message toward its intended audience.
But I did recently see "Something New," and I have to say that the difference to me between something like "Amos and Andy" and Madea and "Something New" is the difference in writing between someone outside your culture versus someone who is familiar with its complexities and foibles, from inside and from a stance of family love and community. One is stereotyped and takes a mocking point of view; and the other is slapstick humor (however crude) and written by black folks for black folks, and the viewers can tell the difference.
I'm from the wannabe L.A. black bourgeoisie, and what I liked about "Something New" were those small touches that let me know that the writers really know what they were talking about, and that moments that could have been cliche (i.e, the "together" six-figure sistah, the black cotillions) instead felt real. Conversations sound like things you've heard before.
After reading the posts, and my own sister's recommendation. i will rent "Diary of a Mad Black Woman." Sounds like a lot of fun.
I have enjoyed both Tyler Perry films. No, he probably won't get an academy award, EVER, but he fulfills a need/niche. He represents a version of black life that is underrepresented and rings true. No, we're not all church going Christians, but that is the way he choses to present his story. It doesn't have to be taken as message that we should all turn to Jesus. He has a style just like Quentin Tarantino, and other writer/directors. He should be allowed to tell his stories his way just as others are allowed to do so without that kind of criticism. And speaking of Tarantino I didn't hear too many people criticize his liberal use of the "N" word. As far as Perry being the new Amos 'N Andy, I've not heard that word in any of the films I've seen, and appreciate the message that is underneath yes, the buffonery. But there is a difference between malicious over the top buffonery and light hearted, entertaining, making fun of yourself because you love yourself- your people buffonery.
As far as Tyler Perry being in a dress, as per Dave Chappelle's observations of the intentional threat to the image of the black man in Hollywood, Milton Burle did it and there was no problem. And I've never watched a Tyler Perry production and been disgusted by the sight of fake feces or seeing black men taking a dump--can't say that about Dave. Comedy is comedy, but taste is in the execution.
Regarding critics, it's easy for people to criticize what they don't understand--a culture of which they are not familiar. Tyler Perry is putting black people to work and showing Hollywood that our stories matter, that we matter, and the bottom line, that we make money.
I'am always amazed at the way my black people respond to other blacks who become successful at their craft,why cant we just be happy for a brother or sister who can relate a little batter to our other brothers and sisters or better still, maybe it's just God way of saying I am going to make you somebody, you've slep in your car, you've been homeless but now it's your turn to become a shinning star. I love Tyler Perry, I love the message he brings to his fans/audience, I think tyler is a outstanding writer, actor and producer, in fact I would love for Mr. Perry to contact me about a project that I am working own, I could use his advice and if critics are hating Tyler now, they would really be hating him if he become a part of my project. So Tyler, now that God has blessed you with an abundance of wealth and success, How about giving a sister a call with about eight min of your time. I know that your plate is running over but I am only asking for a few minutes of your time, I hope someome will give you this email. Please call (770) 964-1476.
Sincerely,
Carol Willisms
Union City, Georgia.
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