For Colored Girls (2010)
Brief review: Tyler Perry won me over with his latest tear-jerker, "For Colored Girls" - a sad and thoroughly emotional multi-layered story about the messed-up lives of various black people, adapted from Shange's 1975 stage play. While the first half of the movie is quite brilliant and consistently gripping, the second half of the film becomes way over-dramatic, and it features a couple of tediously overlong monologues, but as a whole, the film works on many levels, mainly due to it's beautifully-written script and the absolutely fantastic performances from the incredibly talented all-black cast. Kimberly, Janet, Loretta, Thandie, Anika and Phylicia all deliver an award-worthy performances, as they portray their characters' feelings and emotions to perfection. The supporting performances from Kerry Washington, Tessa Thompson, Whoopi Goldberg are quite solid as well, plus there's a great cameo by the popular soul singer, Macy Gray. Technically, "For Colored Girls" succeeds as well. Perry's direction is skillful and accomplished this time around, the editing is pitch-perfect, the pacing is smooth, and the plot, though structurally complicated, never sags or drags.
Brief review: Tyler Perry won me over with his latest tear-jerker, "For Colored Girls" - a sad and thoroughly emotional multi-layered story about the messed-up lives of various black people, adapted from Shange's 1975 stage play. While the first half of the movie is quite brilliant and consistently gripping, the second half of the film becomes way over-dramatic, and it features a couple of tediously overlong monologues, but as a whole, the film works on many levels, mainly due to it's beautifully-written script and the absolutely fantastic performances from the incredibly talented all-black cast. Kimberly, Janet, Loretta, Thandie, Anika and Phylicia all deliver an award-worthy performances, as they portray their characters' feelings and emotions to perfection. The supporting performances from Kerry Washington, Tessa Thompson, Whoopi Goldberg are quite solid as well, plus there's a great cameo by the popular soul singer, Macy Gray. Technically, "For Colored Girls" succeeds as well. Perry's direction is skillful and accomplished this time around, the editing is pitch-perfect, the pacing is smooth, and the plot, though structurally complicated, never sags or drags.
Overall summary: With its dramatically-realistic story, flawless plot structure, and powerhouse performances from the entire cast , "For Colored Girls" is Tyler Perry at his best.
6 comments:
I loved this movie. I know Perry can get overly dramatic at times in his films, it seems to be a trademark of his. Like he wants to stomp home that there is bad shit going down. He did that in Why did I get Married? and in Diary of Mad Black Woman. The drama was already there, no need to amp it up.
I'm a big fan of plays in the 60s/70s that revolve around the tension of race, and so I definitely had my eye on this movie. Plus, the--as you aptly put it--powerhouse of a cast? Tyler Perry was really the only one I wasn't so sure about. But after reading this review, I'm definitely going to have to take a look at it.
Melissa, I liked it quite a lot as well. I have to admit, it had a strong emotional impact on me, especially certain scenes. What did you think of "Why Did I Get Married Too"? It was pretty mediocre IMO, but still watchable. Perry is very 'dramatic', no doubt about it.
Hufstader, I was pretty amazed by the performances in this one. The were beyond excellent! Actually, it's hard to pick a favorite. Plus, multi-layered was brilliantly-structured and never confusing. You should definitely check it out - I reckon you're gonna love it.
WDIGM Too did not impress. I thought that he was retreading and there was nothing new. I did like it, though.
I kinda did too :)
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