Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Movie Review
"Diary of a Mad Black Woman"
Review by Eric D. Snider
Grade: F
Rating: PG-13
Released: Friday, February 25, 2005
Directed by:
Cast:
If you don't like the tone of "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," just wait five minutes and it will change. It is, at various times, a soap opera, a madcap farce, a melodrama, a crime drama and a Christian missionary tract. A film that can shift gears like that so often, and do it successfully, is a rare, surprising delight. Unfortunately, "Diary" does it painfully and awkwardly, displaying a blind ineptitude on the level of some of the worst films I've ever seen. It doesn't keep changing styles because of some grand master plan; it keeps changing because it doesn't know what it's doing. This movie is an absolute train wreck.
The main casualty in this horror show is Helen McCarter (Kimberly Elise), the wife of a prominent Atlanta lawyer named Charles (Steve Harris), who dumps her after 18 years of marriage so that he can be with his long-time mistress and their children instead. Charles is cruel and monstrous to an absurd, implausible degree, literally dragging Helen out of the house with no notice and coldly denying her any alimony, despite being filthy rich himself.
Helen finds solace in the home of her great-aunt Madea, and that's when the film turns into a badly handled, over-the-top farce. You see, Madea is one of those enormous, sassy, fast-talking old black ladies you see in movies, and she is played (as they so often are, for some reason), by a man in drag. He is Tyler Perry, writer of the stage play on which the film is based, and also the portrayer of Madea's vulgar brother Joe and Helen's cousin Brian. But Madea is clearly Perry's bread-and-butter, his Hamlet, his Mona Lisa. I see on Perry's Web site that the character has been spun-off into other plays in which she takes center stage.
Pity, then, that she's such a broad, unbelievable, hastily assembled character -- or at least she is in the film (which was directed by first-timer Darren Grant but adapted by Perry). She carries a pistol and encourages Helen to go back to Charles' house and tear up the place. She is meant to be "outrageous," but I don't believe anything she does. She doesn't belong in what is otherwise a dramatic comedy built around real emotions and relationships. She belongs in an "In Living Color" sketch, if anywhere.
But the film has more problems than that. If we were talking about one out-of-place character, that would be one thing. A movie can recover from a problem of that nature. But let's continue. Charles, it turns out, used to be involved in some nefarious deeds with low-lifes, and one of them blackmails him into being his defense attorney in an upcoming case. Then Charles is shot and becomes paralyzed (!), at which point Helen must work through her feelings of hatred for him and consider helping him, since she is still legally his wife. Unfortunately, she has already met and fallen in love with a hunky man named Orlando (Shemar Moore).
Meanwhile, Helen's cousin Brian has a wife named Debrah (Tamara Taylor, and yes, "Debrah" is misspelled like that), and she has a bit of a crack problem, and I think she lives on the street. For some reason, the movie believes that after all the mess with Helen and Charles and Madea and Orlando, we're STILL going to have room to care about ANOTHER story. To make the Brian/Debrah situation even more convoluted, Debrah doesn't want their daughter to join the church choir because it was music that got her (Debrah) on drugs in the first place. She doesn't say whether it was a church choir specifically that did it, but I like to think it was, because the image of pious altos and sopranos in choir robes passing syringes back and forth in the choir loft makes me laugh. But anyway: What the F, movie? Seriously, what the F?
After what feels like an eternity, the movie finally gets around to its hollow redemptions and trite messages, but darned if I care. The stories are illogical, the characters are badly written, and the film constantly wavers between being ludicrous and simply boring. The whole thing is a mistake from start to finish.
Grade: F
Rated PG-13, a little profanity, some vulgarity
1 hr., 55 min.
Copyright © Eric D. Snider.
This work may not be transmitted via the Internet, nor reproduced in any other way, without written consent from Eric D. Snider.
This item has 11 comments
May 19, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Although I agree that this wasn't exactly Academy Award material, I believe that you were a bit too harsh on this farcical movie. Perhaps your inability to understand black humor plays a large role in your harsh review. This movie was overall funny and entertaining. Believable? Of course not. Most of the scenes were contrived, but it WAS ONLY a silly movie that was obviously enjoyed by MANY people. I hardly think Tyler Perry set out to make a serious, thought-provoking picture. Yes, the character Charles was definitely one dimensional in his ogre-like behavior; and yes, it is unlikely that someone would be THAT mean, however, I can personally attest to seeing at least a couple of men treat women very similar to that. So maybe it isn't all that farfetched as you seem to think in your (apparently) limited understanding of life.
May 20, 2007 at 8:10 pm
"Perhaps your inability to understand black humor plays a large role in your harsh review."
"So maybe it isn't all that farfetched as you seem to think in your (apparently) limited understanding of life."
And so the cycle begins anew.
May 29, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Can anyone tell me the name of the song they were doing the bus stop line dance to, in the Movie "Diary of a Mad Black Woman".... I danced to it years ago...but cannot remember the name of it... Please help. Thank You.
August 19, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Debbie,,the name of that song is called Dazz by Brick
April 30, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Just wanting to know the song that Helen and Orlando were dancing to at that resturant place and who sings it... Thank you.
May 6, 2008 at 12:56 pm
That movie was the best. you really dont know what it means then... Tylar did his thing and you suck for saying that...
August 12, 2008 at 2:56 am
Dear Mr. Snider,
I am not a black woman. However, I am an older woman. And even I was able to take something from the movie. True it may not be recognize as an Oscar winner, but to most viewers who watch from the theaters or their living rooms aren't too concern about the status. I personally hardly ever agree with the picks, anyway.
Just the other day, I was discussing this movie with my best friend on how much I enjoy Tyler Perry's creation of the character, Madea. I feel his writings are of the heart. I might not be a black woman but I certainly can relate to Helen's and Madea's pain. I think any woman who's been in the position as those two characters can certainly connect. I feel Tyler Perry's depicion of Madea was right on the money. After watching the movie, it left me with a sense of triumph and strength. I only hope that maybe there's a little bit of Madea in all of us, ladies. I suppose only a woman can truly understand.
Over all, the movie lifted my spirits, gave me several laughs and even a few tears. I walked away knowing I'd be viewing it again on more than one occasion. There are so few of which I care to view a second time. This movie stirred my soul. My only regret is there's not enough movies out there with endings leaving me feeling good and happy as "Diary Of A Mad Black Woman". Life is gruesome enough. It's nice watching a film with a happy ending and the bad guy gets what's coming to him. And it's heart stirring to see an addict kick the addiction when so many can't in the cold world we live in.
Thanks
C
January 3, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I think this was an excellent movie! This movie show how payback can be a ---- and I loved it! Needless to say you're either racist or an incompetent fool for writing this review. I actually give your review an "F"!
February 25, 2009 at 7:16 pm
your review of this movie is nothing far from being a F as you did grading this fine movie. Its so sad that the world would even hire someone like you to be a movie critic, but i guess you see now NOBODY listened to you and went and seen the movie and bought the soundtrack with it. Not counting the #1 spot it took for many, many, weeks. Matter of fact i am watching it at home now on DVD which has sold countless copies. Find you another job and thats my grade on you.
May 8, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I have nothing to say about the reviewers race or gender; however, I will say I absolutely loved the movie.
There are so many woman who can relate to a play acting of a man (or woman for that case because it isn't always the man who wants the public to see a beautiful picture that isn't truly there) who doesn't want everyone to know how things really are at home or know of a woman who has been put out of a beautiful home no matter what the circumstance are and though we women "may not" cross the line to carrying a gun, or tearing up a man's clothing or home (some women really have done that and though I am not one of them it sure isn't because the feeling aren't for many of us) I actually happen to know some who have come very close to doing things like that......even if they don't do any more than tear up clothing or pour sugar in the tank of a car, We may not have been placed in a nursing home (let someone try if they dare!), yet we can understand the feelings and thoughts of what Mr. Perry put in the necessarily shortened time frame of, "Dairy of a Mad Black Woman", this movie is not only for one gender it can be understood by any gender or race especially if they've gone through such a situation. This movie can be understood by any one no matter who you are if you are able to put your mind into a mode that will allow you to feel the things that he is talking about.....just think about it, he is a man, and somehow HE was able to understand and relate to these things from a woman's point of view.
November 9, 2009 at 9:18 pm
This movie is such a great way to laugh, cry, and fall in love with music all over again! I can't watch it without wanting to jump up and down. I love the fighting between Madea and Uncle Joe. Cicely Tyson gave the most precious pearls of wisdom, in my opinion. My mother and I watch it every time it comes on! What more could you ask for in a movie? Uplifing God, making people laugh, great music, and showing how real life can be improved with all of them. A person that actually gives a bad review to this movie has no heart or sense of love for family and friends. I believe his movies are oscar worthy... if more movies are held up to these standards, maybe the world would be a little better off. But no, people like you want to see pain, suffering, and a somber feel that will make anyone depressed to be living. I'll watch Tyler Perry any day over that other crap! Black people aren't afraid to praise God at home or in public and I love that. Their courage and strength is commendable.