Rating: 4 / 10

Starring

Angela Bassett, Tyler Perry, David Mann

The Plot

Brenda (Bassett) is a single mom who, amid financial struggles, receives word from Georgia of her father’s death. She never met the man, but with her three kids in tow, she makes her way down to meet the kooky, crazy family she wished she’d never met, but manages to appreciate anyway.

The Good

The characters, if nothing else, are entertaining. Leroy Brown (David Mann) is the token funny-but-kinda-stupid guy everyone has somewhere in their family. He substitutes words like “constipation” for “consolation.” I mean, who can’t relate to that?

There is also Vera Brown (Jennifer Lewis), the aunt/sister/daughter figure who just can’t stay away from the liquor cabinet. Above all others, though, there’s grandma Madea (Perry), who embarks on the longest police chase in history, the TV says, so that she’ll get to be on “Cops.”

I guess this movie was made for DeKalb viewers: Madea gets toted off in a cop car labeled “DeKalb Police” (albeit DeKalb, Georgia).

Bassett also handles her character with poise and realistic human behavior. She embodies strength like all real-life single mothers, while struggling to stay independent and maintain her self-respect. Her juggling act of emotions convinces viewers to stay invested in what becomes of Brenda.

The Bad

It is entertaining, but I couldn’t quite figure out if this movie was a comedy or a drama.

While Perry’s script featured interesting, realistic characters, the movie never quite got off the ground. It’s as if the movie spent the hour-and-40-minute duration stuck in those introductory first several scenes.

It seems that quite some time was spent developing the people to carry out the plot, but I guess Perry got too tired running from the DeKalb, Ga., Police to follow through.

The Lowdown

The movie definitely had the tools to make a three-dimensional, relatable story. The funny scenes I expected from Perry, however, didn’t stand a chance of being remembered next to Brenda’s unfortunate story. I really wanted to laugh, but thought it’d be inappropriate.