Tyler Perry strikes again as he brings his hugely successful theatrical stage play Diary of a Mad Black Woman to movie theaters nation wide. A cultural phenomenon this is Perrys chance to bring his play to a larger audience, unfortunately the movie, much like the play, falls flat.
Diary follows the life of Helen (Kimberly Elise) as she tries to put her life back to together after her husband, played by Steve Harris of The Practice fame, unceremoniously and rather cruelly throws her out of their sprawling mansion, officially ending their eighteen year marriage. Simple enough story right? Predictable but workable? Well if Diary had just stayed with that storyline then yes, it might have been a predictable but a rather entertaining film. Instead, Diary doesnt stick to just that story line. It goes on to produce not one but five other subplots. These extra stories turn the movie into one big muddled mess that is never sure which way it is going.
In his defense Perrys play is this muddled as well and what saves his play is the same thing that saves this film: Madea. Madea is Helens trash talking, pistol toting, youre going to respect me or Ill put a cap in your behind, grandma. Played by Perry himself she steals the film and makes sitting through this 116min ramblin g mess worth it.
Outside of Madea theres not that much else to say about this movie. Tylers appearance as Joe, Madeas cantankerous, dirty old man, brother is the only other bright spot in the film, as we watch him fight with Madea and hit on anything that moves. Kimberly Elise, albeit a very talented actress pouts, yells, screams and otherwise overacts her way through the role of the jilted Helen. And the absolutely handsome Shemar Moore from The Young and The Restless is convincing, although uninteresting as Orlando, Helens new and sappy love interest. Orlandos dialogue couldnt get anymore cheesy or saccharine, Ill love you through your pain or Ill be your knight in shining armor. Although he delivers these lines as if he sincerely believes what he saying it stills sounds as if it is straight out of a bad romance novel.
I will say that if you like Perrys stage work, then you will love this movie. He stays true to what works for him on stage, so you Perry fa ns wont be disappointed. However, if youre unfamiliar with Perry and his work and you were thinking about seeing this film, dont. Youll be sorely disappointed and will demand your money back.
(C)2005 Tamika Johnson
Tamika Johnson
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Author:: Tamika Johnson
Keywords:: Movie Reviews, Movies, African American, Movies, Diary, Tyler Perry, Shemar Moore, Kimberly Elise
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