WHY DID I GET MARRIED (2007)

Written &Directed By: Tyler Perry
Cinematography By: Toyomichi Kurita
Editor: Maysie Hoy

Cast: Janet Jackson, Tyler Perry, Sharon Leal, Jill Scott, Tasha Smith, Michael Jai White, Malik Yoba, Richard T. Jones, Lamman Rucker

Dr. Patricia Agnew, a psychologist, has written a best seller about marriage: hers and those of three other couples who together take a week's vacation each year to ask themselves, "Why did I get married?" It's time for one of those weeks, and all four relationships are strained: Patricia and her husband Gavin have the shadow of grief between them; Terry believes that Diane has abandoned him for her work; Angela, who's built a successful business, belittles her husband Marcus, who works for her; Mike is cruel to Sheila, his religious, overweight wife. During the week, each person's secret comes out. Will these marriages survive?

Yes this filled with melodrama, But I applaud Tyler Perry for being almost successful with this film. It’s nice to see African-American affluent professionals on the big screen and I know the film is supposed to show they are just like any other people with money. Which gives way to why the characters act so juvenile and silly. Of course after a good while the characters gain wisdom they should have had the whole time and manage to grow up.

Now this film production wise is shot beautifully and I’m glad Mr. Perry doesn’t have to depend on his over the top character to tell a story though this is not his first film not to involve Madea. This is the first time the project has felt full.

An adaptation of Tyler Perry's play of the same name, Perry deliberately removed most of the church and message scenes in order to make the film less preachy. Now the biggest problem in this film is one of it’s stars Jane t Jackson now while the dialogue and seems can get heavy handed. I did not believe any part of her performance I this film. It felt false and it felt like acting from a bad off broadway play. She brought nothing to the role. Where as Tasha Smith drives all the mileage out of her role and makes the movie better and makes it hers.

Jill Scott plays the sympathetic character who gets crapped on throughout the film, but due to her faith in god and goodwill gets all of her dreams answered tenfold.

Tyler Perry playing one of the leads has the looks and charisma down pat, but still manages to come off bland as a leading man. The film essentially he gives him nothing to do to be interesting or compelling.

If anything I usually end up liking very few of his films if I do I only like them for the simple truths they end up preaching throughout the films, but one problem I always have has with Mr. Perry’s writing is that characters can’t go through thing lightly he overloads them with problems. Like Mr. Perry’s character and his wife played by Sharon Leal, Who seem to fight and be cruel to each other for no other reason then tat the script tells them to.

Now while his films can certainly be improved upon. I still usually can stand his films. I know what I’m going to get and not to hold them to a impossible ideal. It’s a ultimate popcorn movie filled with plenty of moments to make you smile and feel good.

A satisfying rental that appeals to every guilty pleasure you can look for in a movie. Sure they are all based on the characters faith in god, To know the moral of their character and whether they are good or bad. Which most of movies resort to when it comes to the characters. Usually by the end of the films the doubter comes to believe in god and then all of their problems are resolved, but Mr. Perry knows his audience and knows when they come to his movies they want to have fun and deal with serious issues but find that cloud with the silver lining. Which would explain why the Sheriff is in states of undress usually. Even though it’s a snowy wintery resort town.

GRADE: C+