MovieChat Forums > Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) Discussion > Ugh. Have African Americans audiences lo...

Ugh. Have African Americans audiences lost all sense of quality?

posted 16 years ago by puzzow
25 replies | jump to latest

It boggles the mind that this movie is so popular. I understand minority audiences wanting to see movies with situations and characters that they can relate to, but this movie (along with other Tyler Perry projects) is pathetically BAD. It's just bad, for God's sake. And it's not simply bad in a Martin Lawrence, Larry the Cable Guy, low-brow kind of way. It's bad in the sense that it garishly violates fundamental principles of aesthetics. It wants to be a serious drama about values, but then it throws in this Eddy-murphy type man-in-drag character that is pure farce, and ends up undercutting the dramatic side of the story. The two sides don't mesh. It's like mixing honey and vinegar. The infelicity in the tone shift is like something an 8 year old would write.

[–] dozzy2003 16 years ago

I agree. This movie was bad. It had some funny lines, and a few good performances, but everything else was just cheezy, predictable and downright annoying. Kimberly Elise was great, as usual. But she was above the mediocre script. Steve Harris' performance was horrendous. I liked him in "The Practice", but he was terrible in this. Shemar Moore was OK. He did his thing. No complaints. But the best thing, to me, in this movie was Tamara Taylor. No one could have played that role better. Yes, she didn't have much screen time, but, considering other roles she's played, her performance here was remarkably amazing.

The direction, the script, the editing, and sometimes the music were all weak and unengaging. I don't know why these days it just seems that African-American movies are becoming worse and worse. It's like you just keep seeing the same things: boring, cliched themes, weak scripts and directing, and cheesy, annoying characters.

I'm still waiting for a recent African-American movie of great quality. Like "Eve's bayou", for instance.

I'm that good.

[–] TheQuietStorm 16 years ago

I agree with you both. The last great black-American film released, in my opinion, was "Antwone Fisher" (2002). Before that was yours truly, "Eve's Bayou," leaving too much room for turds like this film...

Million Dollar Baby Academy Award® Winner for Best Picture of 2004

[–] caonabopp 16 years ago

The great debaters is really good too, in case you haven't watched it. And I agree, if Tyler Perry is the most popular African American filmmaker at the moment, chances are those great "black cast" flicks will just become less and less.

[–] jlprizm21 16 years ago

Have you lost any of that racism and ignorance yet? Yeah doesn't seem like it. If you don't like it shut the f up.

[–] interstella5555 16 years ago

Nah, he's right. The film is just poorly-made. And I haven't seen the stage production, but assuming it does the whole "dramatic finding of values + HILARIOUS GHETTO BLACK WOMAN" like the film does then I'm sure it's poorly-made there, too. There exist dramedies, sure, but those are dramas that have occasionally funny things, not a completely parodial figure thrown in for gut-busting laughs. It just doesn't work.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] cinematographique 16 years ago

Why don't you tell us where it touched you, using this doll.

this great blue world of ours
seems a house of leaves
moments before the wind

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] exodus_laughing 16 years ago

why is it racist to say you dont like a bad movie? is it just because it was written and stars black people? thats rather pathetic... "you cant be negative about anything i do because of the color of my skin"??? is that really the world you want to live in? well you can live in it alone.. you wont get anyone with half a brain to go along with it. youd better stop using racism as a defense against everything you dont agree with... or people will start assuming you're as pathetic as your argument.

[–] cbaldwinjr 16 years ago

No, but it is racist when scores of white people come exclusively to message boards of black movies to talk about how bad they are. I don't see these complaints for Dumb and Dumberer, Chairman of the Board (Carrot Top), Cabin Boy, etc. No...only the black movies seem to draw these inspired responses. Amazing how that works

[–] cousinsKLG 16 years ago

I really enjoyed this film and I was surprised. I thought it was a quality film but that the "Madea" character took away from it. The scenes involving her character would've been much funnier if it had been played by an actual African-American senior citizen (double PC pts for that). I think the film would've been taken much more seriously if that adjustment had been made (although I realize how popular Madea is). I thought the characters were well rounded and the story had some great funny parts as well as well-acted drama. but that's just my opinion.

[–] murrayc9 16 years ago

Go look and Dumb and Dumberer's reviews and tell me what you find. It's 3 point rating really shows how well white people received it. Don't pull that exclusive propaganda here. *beep* movies get *beep* reviews.

[–] murrayc9 16 years ago

[–] exodus_laughing 16 years ago

no one talks about those movies cuz barely anyone watched them... tyler perry's movies are POPULAR.. apparently VERY POPULAR.... but WHY????

[–] Tjourney22 16 years ago

I dont know. But all i can say is that the dude who played Charles is one UGLY mofo.

"'Cause your friends don't dance and if they don't dance
Well they're no friends of mine"

[–] meldelicious 15 years ago

Dumb and Dumber, well that should have told us something, but dang yeah, Cabin Boy, anything with Carrot Top or Pauley Shore--I cannot sit through that stuff, and I like pretty bawdy comedy.

For some reason I am drawn to Perry's stuff. Yeah, there are lots about it that I dislike but the overall delivery somehow hooks me--perhaps the family connections and a glimpse into African-American culture (realistic or not). I even put up with House of Payne for the same reason. That show is poorly written, a lot of the acting is bad, it has gobs of stereotypes, etc. However, I watch it, because there are nuggets here and there.

Regardless of Perry's scripts, you really believe in the sense of family and community. When "white" comedy/drama attempts this, there are very few programs that achieve this sense of unity. Many try, but your feet usually get stuck in the syrup.

You know the sound that Goofy makes when he falls? That's my quote.

[–] tk_2003 16 years ago

Actually, I enjoyed the movie. I thought what he did was kind of neat. I like that he had the rich woman (who had turned into a snob) go back to her crazy aunt? Or whatever she was. I never really caught on to whose family was what. That was a little confusing.

I liked the variety. I can definitely see the cliche in there, and there was some cheesy music. But overall, I enjoyed it.

"Will, I told you...If you live with a hetero long enough...You're going to catch it."

[–] desifir667 16 years ago

whites dont get it

[–] tk_2003 16 years ago

I got an e-mail that said you replied to my post... And if you meant to reply to mine, I am white. lol

"Will, I told you...If you live with a hetero long enough...You're going to catch it."

[–] interstella5555 16 years ago

blacks don't get it (that tyler perry is a hack lol)

[–] pirateking888 16 years ago

I agree with this thread, Tyler Perry should stop writing films. The acting was confusing. I didn't know if I should laugh or feel sorry, I thought the wife was a PSYCHO, by her face, and that the movie was actually going to be a horror film from that point (not kidding). I'm glad I didn't see this in theaters, because I've never walked out on a film, and this would have ruined my streak.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] tea_green22 15 years ago

Every time someone criticizes Tyler Perry's work, they're called a racist and I don't think that's very fair. It's like the man can do no wrong because of the color of his skin and anyone who carries any negative opinion on the movie is a racist or a hater.

Personally, I looked at this movie and felt it had great potential but then pisses it away when they decide to rely on cartoon-character Madea and shoddy plot-hole ridden cliches. The movie also hinted at character depth but it was somewhat lacking. Shamar Moore's character looked to have some great motivations but they were immediately glossed over because of the writing's urge to keep him as a harmless love-interest and neatly tie up any loose ends. Also, Charles' issues pop up as a matter of convenience. The drug-dealer appears with no established connection to the character at all and disappears when his purpose is done like some kind of instant drama in a can. Also, Helen looked to have some potentially deep development but then out comes a sadistic streak that wasn't hinted at nor justified. Instead of a multi-layered character to root for, she changes to a bitter cardboard cutout. Then at the end of the movie, the whole tone implies that she's fine now that she has a man--and don't get me started on the whole propaganda of organized religion!

That being said, listening to some criticism might do Mr. Perry some good, IMO.

[–] ritechus 15 years ago

i'll agree that not all of Tyler's audience is freaking African American, but they are all pretty effin lame!

[–] theoffice11 10 years ago

i liked it and thought the lead actress was really good. But it did have a bunch of problems with the story and some cliches, mostly with how crappy she was to Orlando and he just stuck around for more. But it was still an entertaining movie.