For Colored Girls: Movie Review

Tyler Perry is stepping outside of his comfort zone with his latest film, For Colored Girls. It’s the first film that he’s written and directed that’s not based on his own material. The story is adapted from the award winning stage play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, which was penned by Ntozake Shange in 1977. Was Perry able to successfully adapt the material for the big screen?

Check out the review…

The Players:

• Director: Tyler Perry:
• Screenwriters: Tyler Perry, Ntozake Shange (Play: For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf)
• Cast: Janet Jackson, Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine, Tessa Thompson, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Michael Ealy, Hill Harper, Richard Lawson
• Cinematography: Alexander Gruszynski
• Original Music By: Aaron Zigman

The Plot:

For Colored Girls centers on 9 women who each encounter some form of abuse, neglect, or harassment whether it’s physical, sexual, or emotional. The characters begin the film as acquaintances but as the story progresses they become unexpected allies during some of the most terrifying moments of their lives.

The Good:

• Thandie Newton: Perry brought together a variety of talented actresses to star in this ensemble but one of them stole the show — Thandie Newton. The British star steps completely out of her comfort zone as Tangie, an over-sexed bar tender who uses men, ignores her mother, and hates her sister, all because she hates herself. The actress has played drug addicts, seductresses, and overall bad women in the past but none like this. Tangie is a different kind of monster.
• The Relationships: The theme that binds all these characters together is pain. They’re all damaged in some way and are forced to reach out and help each other when they’ve reached rock bottom. Those moments are the most beautiful to watch because there’s no judgment, just community.
• The Down Low Life Style: This is one of the first major films that I’ve seen tackle the “down low.”  Over the past few years, television specials and documentaries have covered this phenomenon of African American men who’re in heterosexual marriages but are engaging in sexual relationships with other men. I won’t reveal what character encounters this dilemma but just know it has some serious consequences.

The Bad:

• The Men: All the men in this movie are dogs. Liars, rapists, philanderers, are just some of the words that can be used to describe them. Only one of them seems to be a decent guy and that’s Hill Harper’s character, who plays a cop and the husband to Kerry Washington in the film. It’s understood that this is a movie directed towards women who’ve experienced trauma, but do they all have to be at the hands of a psychotic male? There are some good men out there. They do exist.
• Monologues/Choreopoems: The story was adapted from a play that consists of monologues and chorepoems, which combines music, dance, and dialogue. Perry had to weave together legitimate conversations mixed in with these sections of the play. Unfortunately, some of them don’t fit and are hard to follow. To say it’s difficult to keep up would be an understatement.

Overall:

For Colored Girls has some strong acting. That’s it’s greatest accomplishment. The story is a bit lopsided and unfair to men, but despite that even the male actors brought their A-game. Some serious issues are addressed and discussed so beware, and make sure you bring your tissues.

Rating: 7.5/10

For Colored Girls hits theaters on November 5th

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Will you be seeing For Colored Girls this weekend?