"Madea" goes to the Bank
Tyler Perry's latest movie, "Madea Goes to Jail," has led the nation in box office receipts two weeks in a row.
"Madea" whupped both the Jonas Brothers and Oscar winner for Best Picture "Slumdog Millionaire" in selling the most tickets.
The film, a glossier, updated version of one of Perry's more popular gospel plays, dramatically proves the lasting appeal of Perry's rambunctious, law-flouting, gun-toting grandma, whom he plays in drag, in addition to portraying her lawyer son and her white-haired, pot-smoking brother (you have to be there).
Perry has done so well with his movies that he can attract A-list talent to his cast. Among the cast members of "Madea" are Viola Davis, who received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress in "Doubt."
But that doesn't mean "Madea" is an A-list movie. It isn't.
In a story that involves a corrupt assistant DA in Atlanta, among other threads, Perry's work still lacks quality dialogue and fully drawn characters.
Perry does touch a chord, especially with black audiences, because all of his movies have a warm heart at their core. Virtue is rewarded. Bad guys always get their comeuppance,.
And all of Perry's films depict smart, upwardly mobile African Americans.
But Perry's comedy is too broad and his serious story lines too maudlin and almost always predictable. His characters and direction still give the impression he's still putting on one of those gospel touring plays in War Memorial Auditorium.
Perry, who worked his way from homelessness into prosperity, on his terms, is a remarkable, inspirational success.
But I wish he would learn the value of subtlety.
I am one of the people who saw it.
I would like t
Comments (6)
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No doubt you enjoy your movies.
No golf here this week, see if the boss lady wants to hit the road. Maybe like Wednesday.
Give the roads a few days.
Posted on March 2, 2009 8:48 AM
I think you hit on the answer, Allen. "Madea" is the #1 movie in the country, and is the latest in a string of hits.
Tyler Perry has created a very successful formula for making movies, drawn like you said from the African-American gospel play. It may not be for everybody, but clearly, his fans love it and keep coming back for more.
I wonder if he changed the formula and became more subtle if he would be as successful. I can't blame Perry for sticking with a winning hand.
Posted on March 2, 2009 10:39 AM
The only thing I would question is he seems to be overexposing himself. He should have enough money for the next seven generations of his family to live on now, and he should maybe wait more time between releases.
As far as his movies being art, who can say?
Were the Dirty Harry movies art? Look at the Nicholas Sparks movies. This guy sits down, BillyJack-like and says; " Ladies, I'm going to make you cry, and there's not a g.d. thing you can do about it." and there are times where in think the guy should be executed (see Nights in Roadanthe)when this calculated thing blows up in your face , but then he has a good one now and again.
If they make people feel better when they leave the theatre, is that not an art?
Posted on March 3, 2009 10:46 AM
Good point, Savage.
I just don't see Perry growing as a filmmaker. I think he has an opportunity do crowd-pleasers that also are more artful.
I thought his first, "Diary of an Mad Black Woman," was his best.
But, hey, he's the millionaire. I'm just a newspaper guy.
Posted on March 3, 2009 12:00 PM
I agree. Maybe taking his time more would lend itself to achieving both these goals better.
Posted on March 3, 2009 1:48 PM
Personally, I have seen most of Tyler Perry's movies and although predictible, I always get them on dvd and watch them. I enjoy his format and what he has to say. So many movies now are into dramatics to the point that it is a bit boring or they will have a boring movie that just gets built up and ends being very disappointing when you go see it...like the movie, "Translations...." or whatever the rest of the title was...boy was that a boring movie but it sure got the awards. I, for one, liked "Nights in Rodanthe" and I would continue see movies of this type....definitely much better than ever watching a 'Saw' movie.
Posted on March 6, 2009 9:48 AM