Respectable as a Man

Not planning to use the blog for movie reviews, but for as much heat as I give Mr. Tyler Perry I have to give him KUDOS to his most recent movie "Why did I get Married?"

For those of you that know me, you know how much disdain I hold for Tyler Perry and the buffoonery displayed in the Ma' Dea movies and plays. I have a major issue with effectively a role model for young Black men to be running around stage in a dress acting like a complete fool. His entire identity as a man centered around his character as a woman, not for the brilliance that he obviously has as a gifted author and director.

I will not even elaborate on my thoughts on the quality of some of his previous stories (I'll just say I can't relate and I come from a pretty dysfunctional family), but the latest movie is one for the ages. When the wife asked me to go and see it, I was surprised as she shares my disdain for his previous work (more from the standpoint of she just doesn't find it funny). I couldn't believe she wanted to see it, and was completely in shock that she wanted me to go as well!!!

So when I said it was out of the question, I don't support Tyler Perry in any way; she told me he was not dressed up as a woman in this movie. I said, well that's good but it is still going to be silly. She said this one is better it is REAL and it has a very positive message and is a very entertaining story. I was like sure it does they all do, but the positive message is generally an "uncreative" cliche, or the characters in the movie make such a mockery of themselves that the positive message is lost in translation and becomes an afterthought. She told me that Janet Jackson and Jill Scott were in the movie, I said OK I'll give it a shot!

I must admit, when Mr. Perry decides to put on the clothes that he was ordained to wear by birth and not jump around like a blind rooster in a hen house it makes for a very entertaining and effective movie. The casting was very good for all of the characters (well maybe not Janet Jackson). The story line and issues covered in this movie were REAL. Not the "keeping it real" variety you get in many of his other stories.

Normally you mention a Tyler Perry movie to me and you have pretty much lost your privilege to discuss choices of entertainment with me, but in this case I'll go so far as to recommend this movie. This movie is the quality Black movie that we are always asking for, but can never seem to get. Mr. Perry has a contract to make several movies because they have all been wildly successful, and it seems as each story continues to get better. Mr. Perry has been given the right to call the shots on what he feels is a story is going to sell at the theatres. There is no question Mr. Perry is a brilliant and gifted author and director, and I certainly hope he continues to make the choices that are Respectable as a Man!