Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion Movie Review:


Exactly one year after delivering a surprise hit with Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Tyler Perry is back in full force with Madea’s Family Reunion. The Atlanta based playwright adapts the film from his stage play as well as taking the reigns as director this time around. With Perry’s fingerprints everywhere, this version is more sincere and touching than the previous installment.

The film once again follows the pistol-toting, old school, no-nonsense granny, Madea (played by Perry), who at the beginning of the film is given an angry foster child (Keke Palmer) to raise instead of going to jail. Throughout the film, Madea also gives ample advice to all members of her family leading up to a huge family reunion. Also living with Madea is her aging and vulgar brother Joe (also played by Perry), and Vanessa (Lisa Arrindell Anderson), who is a single mother of two that has devoted herself to God and is hesitate to accept her feelings for another single parent named Frankie (Boris Kodjoe). Vanessa’s half-sister, Lisa, is engaged to one of Atlanta’s richest men Carlos (Blair Underwood), who beats her at his own discretion. The two sisters’ gold-digging mother, Victoria (Lynn Whitfield), argues that Lisa must marry Carlos no matter what the cost. All of these subplots are intertwined by light humor and painful drama all the way up to the big family reunion, in which poet Maya Angelou and the wonderful Cicely Tyson make memorable appearances.

Madea’s Family Reunion is by no means a perfect film. There is clumsiness in every direction. However, Perry’s talents as a storyteller and central empowerment of women, religion, and positive reinforcement make this a film that is undeniable. Each funny moment is complimented by strong dramatic moment. At times the film gets a little preachy, but it is never over the top. All of the characters are redefined by the end of the film and every subplot is addressed. Tyler Perry is a very talented playwright and actor, and now he is emerging in Hollywood. Perry’s directorial film skills will get better with time, he is a veteran of the stage, and there is no doubt he will master the art form of film before too long.

As Madea, Perry is a laugh-a-minute comic romp, embodying his 6 foot 5 frame with a gray wig, a huge bra, and a squeaky southern accent. Perry also garners laughs as the vulgar brother of Madea, Joe, who like his sister speaks his mind quick and often. Blair Underwood is menacing as the rich abusive fiancée Carlos, and as his bride to be Rochelle Ayles is a presence as well. Lynn Whitfield is slithering as Lisa’s money hungry mother and Lisa Arrindell Anderson gives the most heartbreaking portrayal as her forgotten daughter, Vanessa. As mention before, poet Maya Angelou arises in the final act, as does Cicely Tyson, who delivers a great monologue at the family reunion.

Perry has a massive following of his plays, which total nearly ten and are mostly out on DVD. His following is black audiences, however the content and stories of his work can be related to by anyone. There is a heavy religious undertone to each of his works, which also makes church-going folks a big part of his core audience as well. There is no denying that Perry is talented and with an already built in audience, it seems like a win-win situation for Perry and his distributor Lions Gate Films. The studio just announced that they have option a seven-picture deal with Perry.

There is no doubt that this film will be another hit. Perry keeps it simple and the film does its job of not only being entertaining, but being a teaching of morals. Madea’s Family Reunion is by no means perfect, and it does not attempt to be, Perry is too smart of writer to let that happen. It is just an entertaining film filled with comedy and drama that makes a point about living one’s life correctly. Yes the film is religious and yes its focused audience is black folks, but this is a film that everybody can identify with. Tyler Perry is getting more comfortable with the film medium; one has to be anxious to see what he will do next.

Bailey Henderson

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