Behold a Hollywood double-standard (one of many):
To some degree, the numbers speak for themselves. After the $50 million take of "Diary," Mr. Perry returned with the $63 million "Madea's Family Reunion," the $31 million "Daddy's Little Girls," and last year's $55 million hit "Why Did I Get Married?," which gave top billing to singer-turned-actress Janet Jackson. In the case of "Married," its $21 million opening weekend was almost double that of the George Clooney vehicle "Michael Clayton," which opened the same weekend.
"If you look at the papers and magazines from that week, you'll see plenty of stories talking about George Clooney but almost nothing about Tyler Perry," the film critic Elvis Mitchell said during an interview at this year's Sundance Film Festival. "There's obviously something out of balance there, where all the attention is going to a movie that's only being seen by half as many people."
You can take race out of it and it kind of makes sense. George Clooney is George Clooney. Tyler Perry is a former playwright who dresses in drag and overacts. A no-brainer, right? You can add race back into it and it also kind of makes sense. Movie critics, the vast majority of whom are white, don't understand the Tyler Perry attraction at all. All they see is a mediocre movie with often-mediocre acting and a boisterous grandmother who sometimes seems out of place in otherwise serious storylines. They don't get the culture of it, the popularity of the plays on which the movies are based, and how desperate black people are to see themselves on screen as something other than criminals or cops.* Until they get that, they won't get Tyler Perry. Still, as they continue to give him thumbs down, he'll continue to rake in the cash. In the end, it more than evens out. [NYS]
*I might get it, but I still don't really like them. To each his or her own, though.
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Elvis makes a valid point, however, I have to tip my hat to you as well Lauren. It took my years to see Diary because the title alone sounded so stupidly stereotypical. After seeing it though, I really enjoyed it. Can't say to much for the rest of his movies, but overall, black people do want to see more than crackheads and hos on the big screen.
love the way you wrote this up, Lauren!
i do not get the TP phenomenon, but my sister swears by his movies.
"All they see is a mediocre movie with often-mediocre acting and a boisterous grandmother who sometimes seems out of place in otherwise serious storylines."
I think that says it all. Race regardless. I'm not making excuses - as y'all know, I love TP and his movies, but if critics/writers see the movies as mediocre - then they aren't going to write about them. Not Another Teen Movie (and all those other knock offs) make a lot of money too, comparitively, and they don't get written about….b/c they stink.
Tyler Perry is in on the joke though.
HE KNOWS that the initital reaction to his titles/basic plots summaries are going to create question marks in people's minds, but laughs to the banks (he has to have more than one) when the word-of-mouth spreads like gravy on a biscuit.
Go 'head Tyler, MAKES THAT PAPER!
Not just with Tyler Perry movies but black films in general critics just don't get. A lot of good black films get bad reviews and I'm talking about positive images of blacks. I think this is because the majority of critics who are white simply don't get it. If you take the same film and have one with white actors and then one with black actors with the same exact plot and dialogue, most likely the white version will probably get the better reviews.
Refreshing to know I'm not alone in my dislike of Tyler Perry movies and tv show. I commend you in your unbiased commentary but as a black woman, I also don't get why black people like these movies. Of course there is plenty 0f racism involved in that industry but I'm not going to support a poorly made, soap opera-like movie just because the final scene is "positive". I get that we are starving to see ourselves on screen but why aren't we starving for quality? That's what I'm starving for. I rather not see us at all than to see us in bad taste. I'll rally around a good movie or tv show but that is either not what people want to see or not what the industry is willing to support. I think the issues we face in the music industry are the same.
I couldn't have worded it any better. Perry's movies are entertaining, but are faaaaaaaaaar from being oscar-worthy. There more like expensive plays (plays on film). But the reason they sell, is because of the demographic they touch. I still think the best black movies are the ones that were created in the past (like The Color Purple, Crooklyn, Boyz n the Hood, etc.), but they were robbed of their oscars because "black" wasn't as acceptable back then as it is now. But when it comes down to it, who should we be relying on to make movies about ourselves. Why does every "black film" have to be a comedy? Who's selling black people out? The "great" director is the one who creates a film out of love & passion, not becuz of the profits and fame. Why do u think Indie films win the oscars?
I love Tyler Perry movies and take them for what they are….Pure enjoyment. folks need to get a clue but not a serious one because it's not that series….
I would much rather support a Tyler Perry movie than a "Who's Your Caddy?" or "Soul Plane" any day.
@Ike:"Why does every "black film" have to be a comedy?": Because black DRAMA's don't sell in Hollywood unless its a "Boyz in the Hood" type movie.
@Lauren: When you saw "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" was there an unbalanced amount of laughter from the audience? I was baffled at the laughter from the audience and actors(i.e. Howard) at the most serious moments of the play?!?!
why is it an either / or situation? crappy Tyler Perry movies /plays or crappy Hollywood movies? why not just say "no" to mediocrity when/whereever it's offered and regardless of who's offering it?
what Shani said.
"Michael Clayton" was one of the best films of 2007 and "Why Did I Get Married" was trash! And Ike is a moron!
I think the Tyler Perry movies are great! Not only do they offer comedy but, they also offer a spiritual aspect of the black culture and still relate to some of todays social concerns that we all may or may not address in our every day lives. So what if white critics don't get it. It is about time that we begin to make movies/plays that we understand. If that is what it takes to reach the people,so be it. Its got to start somewhere.Let it be known that not all of us are only interested in mainstream Hollywood.Go T.P.