Tyler Perry, Seriously?

Are you kidding me? About a month ago, colleagues demanded I surrender my black card for saying I do not like Tyler Perry movies. I stood by my opinion then and am even more firm in that opinion now. Now, let me first say, I'm far from being a hater. I applaud the man for his accomplishments, especially the establishment of a studio. These are triumphs which should certainly be recognized and applauded by all. Nonetheless, that does not mandate that I subscribe to the newsletters from his parishioners. I've genuinely tried to find some redeeming quality in his films to no avail. His is an experience to which I can't relate. Let me put it as I so matter of factly told my colleagues last month, I'm just not that black.

Tyler's films are nothing more than filming of his plays on movie sets. That is it and nothing more. Now, this formula has certainly worked for him, contributing to his fond following and even landing him a friendship with Lady O. That is certainly no small feat. Nonetheless, this formulaic redemption through Jesus or through some scripture undertone is so overworked in the black play circuit it is just nauseating. Now, he has added the flair of nuanced Jesus peace or churchiness as my mother calls it, which makes it more palatable to the mainstream. In marketing we would call this building a better mouse trap. It is essentially the same as those other chicken house circuit plays, but I'll be the first to credit Mr. Perry with the marketing genius of packaging it as though it isn't so.

Now, I was all set to give Mr. Perry the benefit of the doubt with The Family that Preys. I certainly had no intention of spending my time or money to see it in the theater, but basic cable was a sure bet. Until today, I hadn't seen one of his films in its entirety. I mean come on, the ending is known in the first five minutes. Still, my colleagues badgered me at work and asked what kind of black person I was to not like Tyler Perry's movies. For all of my non black readers, please allow me to explain. Black people have an inane tendency to think we all like the same things, collard greens and chicken circuit plays. Fortunately, this has not been my experience, thus, I am unable to relate to these things that apparently comprise blackness. At any rate, I was urged to see this movie because it was different, not typical TP, so much deeper, "oooh, and when you see the reason she cheated and the connection to her father's infidelity". So I'm expecting better things.

NOT! Again, Mr. Perry overlaps too many stories and themes in one film. Spike Lee also has this problem. Now, the casting was superb. Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates are stellar, but even they couldn't save The Titanic. Can a husband seriously be as stupid as Chris (Rockmond Dunbar)? They obviously said to hell with office etiquette. That receptionist should have been fired long ago. Abigail (Robin Givens) overstepped her boundaries at the party and was far less than professional, yet she claims to be the queen of decorum later. Seriously? Are you kidding me? There were so many gaping holes in this plot that were so beautifully captured in the Grand Canyon scene. And come on, Mother Cartwright has Alzheimer's and no one votes her out? Now Mr. Perry, cancer would have been okay here, but Alzheimer's. She should have voted herself out.

I could go on. Suffice it to say, it is much better for Tyler, but that ain't saying much. It is better than his chicken circuit bit, but still lacking in depth and completely unrealistic. So, for all of you who told me it was so great and on a Spielberg level, I say seriously, you must be kidding me. You black people are still so easily entertained. Through a little prayer or churchiness---some Xian theme and you all are all over it. This is no Color Purple.