The Family That Preys
Movie Review
"The Family That Preys"
Review by Eric D. Snider
Grade: C+
Rating: PG-13
Released: Friday, September 12, 2008
Directed by:
Cast:
Tyler Perry has been growing as a filmmaker right before our eyes. His string of awful, simple-minded comedy-dramas was followed by this March's "Meet the Browns," which wasn't half-bad, and now "The Family That Preys," which also isn't half-bad. The more films he makes, the better able he is to attract top-notch talent (a key in making the mawkish dialogue he writes palatable), and the better he gets at the mechanics of filmmaking. Practice makes perfect, after all.
"The Family That Preys" is less compelling than "Meet the Browns," but one promising aspect jumps out: Except for a few moments early on, this film is not about what it's like to be black in America. Most of the characters are black, and certainly that affects who they are, but the movie isn't about those issues. I see this is a huge step forward for Perry, whose previous films tended to plunk the same notes over and over again.
There are two families preying here, the fabulously wealthy (and white) Cartwrights, and the striving (and black) Pratts. Charlotte Cartwright (Kathy Bates) is a tough old Southern belle whose family's corporation has made her rich and bored. Her long-time best friend, Alice Pratt (Alfre Woodard), runs a diner and is apparently content to be the non-rich half of the friendship. Charlotte's son, William (Cole Hauser), runs the company and employs Alice's daughter, Andrea (Sanaa Lathan), as his chief accountant. Andrea's husband, Chris (Rockmond Dunbar), works for the Cartwrights, too, but as a construction worker on the company's job sites. Chris' best friend, Ben (Tyler Perry), is married to Andrea's sister, Pam (Taraji P. Henson), who helps Mom at the diner.
Thus: Andrea and Chris make decent money (especially Andrea) but are unhappy because Andrea is too ambitious, while Pam and Ben are decidedly middle-class but happy and content.
Things intensify when Charlotte brings in Abigail Dexter (Robin Givens) to be the new C.O.O., and not her son, who Charlotte doesn't think is qualified. William is angry. Meanwhile, Charlotte and Alice embark on a cross-country road trip for reasons that are supposed to be secret but that you will probably guess after Perry lingers too long on a dewy-eyed Charlotte one too many times. ("We can get a new memory card!" says Alice of their malfunctioning camera. "Oh, I wish it were that simple," says Charlotte with great import and double-meaning.)
Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates are terrific, with their part of the movie feeling like another production altogether. The two veteran actresses have never worked together before, but their chemistry is like that of old friends. Their laughter at one another's jokes and their compassion for each other feels genuine. These two give the film its heart.
Back home, the situation isn't quite as rosy. Perry has a thing for making his actresses face off against each other like the women on "Dynasty," growling their catty dialogue while melodramatic music plays in the background. The high-finance and high-emotion squabbles involving Andrea, Pam, and Abigail (plus the various menfolk) don't do any of these performers any favors. As always, the villains are broad and cartoonish, while the good guys are saintly and heroic. Perry may not be dealing with race issues, but he still writes everything in black-and-white.
Grade: C+
Rated PG-13, some mild sexuality and a face-slappin'
1 hr., 51 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 14 comments
September 16, 2008 at 12:57 pm
"Perry may not be dealing with race issues, but he still writes everything in black-and-white."
Ooh, very nice!
September 17, 2008 at 7:26 pm
This movie's title would be a good one for a zombie comedy . . .
September 17, 2008 at 8:49 pm
***Spoiler Question***
"Meanwhile, Charlotte and Alice embark on a cross-country road trip for reasons that are supposed to be secret but that you will probably guess after Perry lingers too long on a dewy-eyed Charlotte one too many times. ("We can get a new memory card!" says Alice of their malfunctioning camera. "Oh, I wish it were that simple," says Charlotte with great import and double-meaning.)"
I'm a little confused about this part. Do they get into a lesbian relationship?
From what else I can read about this, I thought Charlotte liked one of the guys in the movie. I guess I'm just really bad at guessing. @.@
September 17, 2008 at 9:06 pm
The movie was amazing but the rich sistier was a little to dramatic when it came to being a You Know What. What! I was just following the rules.
September 17, 2008 at 11:06 pm
***spoiler question response***
Or maybe, Russ, you're just really bad at double-entendres. Because I'm going to guess that Kathy Bate's character has some kind of illness that probably affects her memory.
September 18, 2008 at 1:21 am
***Spoiler Question Response II***
Russ, I also thought that Eric meant that they were having a lesbian relationship, but when I looked it up, it turns out something about Alzheimer's is involved and nothing about lesbians. :)
September 18, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I actually viewed the film unlike most of the commenters. I was captivated by the story and how closley it resembles life and the every day decisions people make and the effects of those decisions. Tyler perry as well as his cast is to be commended for such a film that can reach the wealthy in untouchable places and embrace the less fortunate who dare to dream. The moral of the film is reach high, but do not compromise who you are in the challenge of the reach or you just may end up losing all.
September 18, 2008 at 10:40 pm
7's comments made me giggle because I just read the "in my pants" blog entry. Holy cow, every sentence was gold! Especially reaching untouchable places. :-P
(I know, I know, very immature of me...)
September 19, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I think it is refreshing to have a christian writer and director put good clean humor in everday circumstances weather the race is black or white.
September 20, 2008 at 3:00 am
I saw the movie. Real LIFE cituation. Tyler Perry best work. The movie was AWESOME.
September 20, 2008 at 11:42 am
I think that alot of people are way to judgemental towards Mr. Perry. I think (and this is MY opionion) that Mr. Perry is a very talented black man who once faced poverty but turned his "mess" into a message. I think that some people are way to critical, ignorant and just plain HATERS. Mr. Perry, you are a genius. Keep doing what you do. The more haters that sign up, the better.
September 20, 2008 at 5:57 pm
The movie was great and everyone can relate to something in the movie blacks and whites.
September 21, 2008 at 12:20 am
I personally think Mr. Sinder is a jerk and has a hard time seeing any film produced by a black man as good. Plus he probably didn't even watch the whole film. I know from experience that when he use to review shows at BYU he would come late then give bad reviews of the play saying the plot had holes even though he only saw one half of it. Your a JERK Eirk
[ERIC'S NOTE: Everything Eugene has written is 100 percent false -- unless he's not talking about me but about someone else, someone named Eirk Sinder.]
October 10, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Mr. Snider, Stop hating on Mr. Perry. If you are not capable of understanding issues outside of your culture, then leave it to those who do. Meanwhile, 'prey' on expanding your mind. You might learn something!