Below is the trailer for Tyler Perry's latest attempt to be taken seriously as a director. Now before you all jump down my throat, I have been to the theatre to see 10 of TP's 11 feature films (I missed Madea Goes to Jail, I've had enough of that character). I have supported this man in his art form for many reasons which I will get into later. But I have and will continue to support TP in his efforts to put black actors and actresses to work on the big screen. And on Friday, November 5th, I will be front and center for his attempt to seriously direct some of the BEST actresses Black Hollywood has to offer (minus Janet Jackson of course). But I go with a troubled heart and a worried mind, for I have experienced a TP film before and while there are times of laughter and entertainment, I often walk away wonder who are the women TP knows and why must ALL Black women be SO tragic. But before I go too far, check out the trailer...
2:26 minutes of pure drama. I must say, from this trailer this film looks excellent and in NO way like a TP special (although I did see a big bible). The reviews of this film are like a category 5 hurricane, destroying this film to a pulp. From the New York Times to the LA Times to the Hollywood Reporter, everyone is panning TP's efforts to go into this beloved work of art. Furthermore, most are saying what I have always said about a TP movie, while the story seems ok, the directing seems messy, half ass and incomplete. Add in the fact that he writes in such a simplistic uncomplicated, stage play at the beacon theatre way that just doesn't translate into film and you have what is generally called a flop. But in the world of TP, flop doesn't happen, because Black middle aged women are buying into what TP is selling. This idea that black women, have been so broken down by life and black men that it has made them strong. So strong that they get in their own way and are single, so they go to church, find God, then a man and all is well. For a certain sector of black America, that story is just as engaging and "fantasy" as the story of BIG becoming a loving husband in SATC (highly unrealistic, yet commonly fantasized about). So opening weekends for TP are often amazingly successful and women leave the theatre feeling pumped up and siked, but don't you wonder why? (Likely the same reason women left the theatre feeling hyped after BIG and Carrie got back together, fantasy is some serious MOJO!)
But back to "For Colored Girls" for second. I don't have any attachment to the original, so I dont come at it from that standpoint. I have seen adaptations that were amazing. And had TP simply taken the words from the pages and translated them to film, I would have been less worried. But once I read that he added his own dialogue to make the characters come alive on screen, I became terrified. He just isn't that great of a writer on screen and the poems from this play are, well, poetic. As many reviews have stated, his words next to the poetry just don't mix. I can totally see why, nothing TP writes is remotely poetic, its just simply, common.
I support TP because he trying. Sometimes his try sucks, but it is trying none the less. Regardless of what I personally think of his films, he keeps black actors working in a town where that isn't always the case. But until TP proves to me that he can move beyond this Madea, stage play, get saved and find a man after you have been abused storyline, I will always go into a TP film with a crooked eye. I continue to support because he tries, but I leave every film saying, HE HAS TO DO BETTER! I never had that feeling after a Spike Lee film (even the ones I didn't understand). If you can't already tell, I don't love TP nor do I love his films or stage plays. I am just waiting for him to impress me like he did that one time (The Family that Preys).
As I said, I will be there next Friday to see this film and I will have my mental notepad going. For I am sure that this Colored Girl will have much to say about how TP handles "For Colored Girls..."
6 comments:
Yeah i agree wit u for the most part. A Family That Preys is his most indebt work without the stereotypical themes he usually does. But after hearing his testimony on Oprah, its clear to understand why he has his perspective. Spike on the other hand, comes from a totaly different family background and educational foundation, thus his stories are more versatile and intellectual. But he has pulled off what Spike has not been able too far as the level of his production. Big ups to him for the big business moves. Just wish Spike could get those kinda budgets!
Vic you are so right, TP has done what Spike couldnt do and thats have that big money box office success. And he is to be respected for that. Its all about what you go to a film to see. And a movie like "For Colored Girls" is designed to dig deep inside your soul, touch parts of you that you didnt know existed. Get in your head in ways you didnt think it could and tap into your emotions in a way that will shock you. I just wonder if TP can (even with the best ensemble black cast in a while) pull that off... Ill def be there to support though!
This blog was indeed impressive! First off, I totally appreciate that you support TP's efforts! I haven't had a chance to go to any of his plays however, I have watched 1 or 2 of them on TV. *eh* is my opinion. You are on point about the storyline of each of his plays and films. Every black woman is not struggling and are in such a bad place with a man that they need to turn their lives around by finding the lord and snuggling up to a bible and their prince charming will show up to save her. It's all so lame. I think to myself, "are my girlfriends like that"? I have so many female friends and associates that are single however, they are very intelligent hard working women that are indeed trying to make a good life for themselves BEFORE they get swallowed into a marriage and a life they are not necessarily prepared for.
These women are considered "career oriented, stuck up, non submissive women that don't know how to keep a man because they are too independent" What a title these women get! However, men nowadays only wants a woman that can "bring something to the table"! Moving on to For Colored Girls.
I agree that there seems to be a lot a of drama and the same type of dramatically intense issues TP has in all of his films. So I too go into his movies with no expectations of "wow"! I agree that "A family that Preys" was his best film to date and i was impressed by it overall! He did find a way to bring a little TP flavor in it by implementing the baptizing scene.
Overall, I support TP for many of the same reasons you do. He is trying. We as a Black community are unfortunately "crabs in a barrel". We talk about what one has NOT accomplished and steer far away from the indeed many beautiful positive accomplishments. For TP, keeping Black actors and actresses in jobs! that's huge! He is working to keep OUR PEOPLE in jobs. We are all looking forward to the next TP film weather it's the same storyline or not.
I hope For Colored Girls leaves a good impression on me. I am routing for TP big time as he is "Our People". Supporting each other is high on my priority list. I only pray one day as a community we all can lift each other up out of the barrel! We could be so much further...but that's another topic.
I love this post , because someone finally entered an objective viewpoint of my internal dialogue " Am I the only one who hasnt handcuffed herself to the TP fan club?!! "
I too, desire to support his efforts though disappointed several times. I also agree that the one time TP did not completely " dummy down " a story line was " A Family That Preys ".
It was the only time I came away completely satisfied not only for myself but coming away with a glimmer of hope " Tyler finally coming into his own...".
But alas, a few films later not to mention a disappointung glimpse of how he handled the recent cancellation at Nassau Coliseum, kind of left a bad taste in this black girls mouth !
Spike on the other hand stuck to the boldness of not only his craft, but he dialogues with the boldness within me. Taunting me on the big screen as he creatively expresses truth "straight with no chaser " , with a wit that winks atcha' !
To be fair they have each set the tone in totally different creative genres.
The current 21st century comparisons between Lee and Perry would resemble Paul Robeson and Amos and Andy back in the day!
And I guess there is room for both, just be true to the craft!
But, like you, though I wish him well, and will probably be in possesion of a torn movie ticket when its all said and done, just hope this Colored Girl comes away in one piece.
Great piece, Maliek.. I'm feeling you on this one !
The reason why Spike Lee has been unable to do what TP has done is because Spike's characters are strong black men and women who provoke thought and are somewhat "controversial" by Hollywood standards. Malcolm X anyone? TP films have given us Hattie McDaniel and Butterfly McQueen 2.0. No offense to either actress who paved the way for so many others, but Hollywood is used to seeing black women as broken down, broken hearted caretakers who just can't seem to find that good man. TP unfortunately continues this recipe.
Spike's films will continue to be lauded as controversial because he makes films about black men and women who don't just fall in line with the okey doke.
Quite frankly, I miss Spike Lee films and I wish he would go back to making them. No disrespect to TP because I love the fact that he is employing black men and women in his films and studios I just wish he would find a new formula.
Like many, I will support TP and long (sigh) for Spike.
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