NOBODY'S FOOL (2018)

Written & Directed By: Tyler Perry 
Cinematography By: Richard J. Vialet 
Editor: Larry Sexton 


Cast: Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick, Tiffany Haddish, Whoppi Goldberg, Amber Riley, Michael Blackson, Missi Pyle, Mechad Brooks, Jon Rudnitsky, Nev Schulman, Max Joseph 

A woman is released from prison and reunites with her sister. She soon discovers that her sister is in an online relationship with a man who may not be what he seems.

It’s been a while since I have watched a Tyler Perry movie. One has to get used to his style and world when returning to his work. As this movie is definitely the most sexual of his films and also has the most bad language in it.

The film has a basic concept that is weak and ridiculous and relies on the concept of the show and film CATFISH. Which the hosts make a cameo here that seems only to be here to acknowledge Tyler Perry did get part of the story from that show. As it has as much ridiculous drama as an episode of that show. Only the show has better style and direction. While this element keeps the story going. As the film goes along it more or less exposes the characters issues though only the main ones get resolved in a romantic way.

Once the central mystery is solved the man physically is what she wants and on paper is good but personality wise is all wrong. Could it be a way if commenting in dual identities in the real world vs. the digital world or just show some people know how to seduce only online.

This would make more of an impact if dealt with subtlety but not in this film. Where as even when the film begins the characters idea of romance already seems sappy and overbearing. Then when we finally meet him he seems basically unrecognizable and more a comic plot then a real character. As he changes that soon and fast .

Though you wonder her she fell for him in the first place as he sounds boring and starts off and ends every conversation with you know your my soulmate. And all their conversations seem to go that way. Who talks like that always?

The cast is better than the material and deserve better as they try to make it work and are mostly successful as they are appealing and fun to watch but the material most of the time is embarrassing. As each character seems more open dimensional and you can see what their entire purpose is as soon as we meet them. The funny chubby best friend. The random out of it Caucasian co-workers.

Tika sumpter is good and gorgeous in the lead role. Which calls on her to give a more comedic performance as a dramatic character. She sometimes comes off more like she has mental problems. Which could have been explored more, but she shows she is game for anything the film throws at her. 

Whoopi Goldberg seems here as comedic relief but is barely in the film in a small supporting role. That also seems here to just include marijuana and weed jokes.

Tiffany Haddish steals the show and is over the top hilarious. Though it not only feels like she is playing the same type of role and is obviously capable of better, but here where she is allowed to be as raunchy as she wants to be. Some of her scenes feel watered down or just like she isn’t allowed to go as far as she can. So he feels caged in a bit. Though even after a while her character is repetitive. As most of her jokes are more of a sexual nature and whenever she is off the screen the movie slows down and suffers especially near the end of the third act. Even when she appears in an extra scene during the credits. Which seems to be set up to add in jokes about the Dress she wore to every awards show in 2017/18 falls incredibly flat and obviously wasn’t needed. The scene also involves Tika Sumpter’s ex who looks incredibly too young for her.

The film does include and unexpected cameo that seems here just to add to the laughs and hilarity and close a certain act or solve a plot thread for a moment.

The film badly tries to pass off Atlanta as New York. Though while watching the movie kept trying to figure out where they were supposed to be. As the effects are bad in trying to even match the rest projection.

The tone of the film changes rapidly and without warning. Leaving certain choices made by the characters to feel generic.

By the end the film tries to resolve itself on nostalgia to say the words the Character can’t. Which as the film has already run out of steam feels a bit lazy.

This film was supposedly shot in 10 days and it shows.

I will add that this was one of my worst film going experiences. As a fellow viewer choose to talk to his girlfriend throughout giving her running commentary. Not to mention anytime a classic R & B song came on the soundtrack he decided to sing the song out loud. To which he lacked the talent to do.

GRADE: D