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Tyler Perry’s ‘Madea’s Family Reunion’ is a movie that attempts comedy, romance, and family forgiveness all underlayed with the charming aspect of familial violence. Remember if you watch this folks, when Madea beats up on a child it’s ‘discipline’ or ‘patience’ and therefore humorous, but when a husband beats up on his wife that’s abuse and makes for good drama. Frankly, the contrast made me more than a little sick. Don’t worry, this wasn’t the only hypocritical message in the film, there are others that I’ll just let you watch for yourself if you can stand to.
I began watching these damn films because the first one I saw, a capture of a stage performance of ‘Madea’s Highschool Reunion’, was fucking hilarious. It didn’t pull as many self sabotaging judgmental punches as all the other movies that followed and that seem to follow a set format.
One woman is in a bad relationship with some wealthy man who does her wrong. Marriage is of course involved or looming on the horizon. After more abuse than you can shake a gerbil at the woman finally flees to Madea’s house for safe haven. A variety of once delinquents, a crusty lecherous old man, a not so successful sister/friend to the other woman are also in the house. Madea proceeds to inspire the woman done wrong to violent acts against the wrong doer as punishment and revenge. Meanwhile the tension between sisters/friends is resolved (also thanks in part to the liberating feeling of getting back at someone). The original woman or the less successful sister finally gets over their inability to trust and finally falls in love with a nice young black Christian man. There is a wedding and a big musical finale. Ta f-ing da.
Am I the only one that cares about these similarities and distinctions?
last modified Aug 28, 2006 at 19:26
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