Madea Goes to Jail

I scratched my head through most of this movie and remain quite bewildered by it now that I've seen the whole thing. What's with the title? Madea (one of those man playing a woman characters) is really only about half of the movie, the half that deals with Madea is silly at best and irritating at worst, and she only goes to jail for about the last 20 minutes. So what's with "Madea Goes To Jail" as if that's the focal point of the story?

The real meat of the story revolves around the relationship between Joshua (Derek Luke) and Candi (Keshia Knight Pulliam.) Joshua is a DA who rose from the wrong side of the tracks and is now engaged to Linda (Ion Overman) - another DA and something of a "princess" - as she's repeatedly called. Candi, meanwhile, is a prostitute who grew up with Joshua and who reconnects with him. Joshua has a need to help her out of her situation. Something happened between the two years ago that makes Joshua feel responsible for Candi, but it takes a while for that to come out. This story is the "meat" of the movie, far more central than the Madea storyline, and not really related to it in any meaningful way. The Candi story is a heavy one: prostitution, drugs, jail, rape. For a comedy this is actually pretty dark most of the way through. Madea, I guess, is supposed to provide the comedy, but aside from a handful of scenes doesn't really accomplish that. There's a bizarre focus on religion throughout this, highlighted by a decent enough turn by Viola Davis as an unorthodox minister reaching out to the local streetwalkers. Even Dr. Phil appears in this. The exchange between him and Madea was cute for a while, but got tired very fast, and why it was deemed necessary to have yet another portrayal of a Madea/Dr. Phil session run during the closing credits is one of those mysteries no one will ever be able to explain.

If this had just focused on the Joshua/Candi story it would have made for some pretty good material and a pretty powerful movie. Unfortunately, the nonsense surrounding the Madea material drags everything else about this movie down. This is basically a poorly put together and overall unappealing movie. (3/10)

Tyler Perry has really outdone himself this time, making the deep artistic statement "I'm black, and I have a fatsuit." Sure, this statement has been made before by Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, and others, but Perry adds a certain panache to the blackness and the fat suit that makes this more than just a movie about a black guy in a fat suit: it is THE movie about a black guy in a fat suit.

There may be other movies out there which you are tempted to see: "Slumdog Millionaire" may have won several acadmey awards, but where's the black guy in the fatsuit? How is that a movie? Tyler Perry continues to push the boundaries of artistic excellence with drag AND a fat suit, and we can only hope some day he decides to throw bad accents and white face into the mix.

"Madea Goes to Jail" stands out in most of the movies I've seen, for one reason only: It was one of the two movies I've ever walked out on in the theater.

I admit it, I only laughed a couple times...but for the most part ,the humor consisted of nothing but shallow, harshly stereotypical and unclassy "jokes". Tyler Perry's portrayal of African-Americans is almost insulting. Not only that, but Madea was only shown for less than half of it! The only thing saving this from a 1 is Keisha Knight Pulliam's performance. She was the ONLY interesting thing about this crap fest. I look forward to more from her, but please, Tyler Perry, no more.

I said it before...Let's show respect for each other. We can share our opinions without belittling and insulting one another. In his movies and plays, Tyler brings a lot of serious issues to our attention, and he uses the characters to help a lot of people deal with those issues. Now that we are increasing awareness rather than continuing to hide these issues, it's time to do something about them. Don't support Tyler Perry only to be entertained by Madea, Brown, or other characters, or to critique their work. Personally, I wasn't entertained by MGTJ. However, I did leave the theatre with an increased awareness of a very serious issue in our society. There's always a message, worth hearing, in Tyler's work.

If you like APF's (audience participation films), this is the movie for you, and by all means see MGTJ at the theatre. You'll enjoy the commentary, hysterical laughter in anticipation of the punch lines, ab-libbing, etc. Otherwsie, I recommend viewing on cable or satellite - with an open mind. See the bigger picture and ask yourself, "Does this film present issues that I can do something about?" Your commitment doesn't have to be large-scale. Maybe you resolve to challenge your old views.

If you don't like MGTJ, or you don't respect TP as a film maker. Make a better film addressing these issues and calling people to action.

Blessings, ~VP

Short tempered, impatient, cussing, pistol carrying and definitely quick to shoot, but yet, in time of need, the most caring person that anyone could ever have as a relative. Does that sound familiar? I am convinced that in one form or another, most people can relate to having such an individual in the family.

My mother (with the exception of carrying a pistol, cussing, and quick to shoot) was such a person in my family. Her choice of weapon was basically a shoe, knife, or whatever she could find in her hand at the time to throw.

I thought of these things as I watched the movie "Madea Goes to Jail." It is a delightful, fictional tale about a southern family, whose matriarch (Mabel Simmons, a.k.a. Madea) has had numerous encounters with the law enforcement of the county in which they live. The film begins with its main character being chased by the police on a highway. By the way, the news is covering the event, which is enabling people to see it as it is happening.

Madea's family and friends, along with the community, watch with mixed emotions concerning the elderly, dearly beloved, but crazed senior citizen as she tries to outwit the police officers and avoid being captured. Captivity, however, is inevitable and justice must be served. Mr. Tyler Perry, the director of this film, brilliantly brings to the attention of the viewer Madea's criminal past by showing photos of her down through the years. Present-day, Madea stands alone (dressed in an orange prison outfit) to face the consequents of her actions of disregard for authority.

Through the interweaving of each character and their individual stories in the film (the engaged interracial couple, prostitute, and seemingly successful assistant district attorney), producer, and writer of the film, Mr. Tyler Perry flawlessly and effortlessly displayed the power of forgiveness: this film is superbly written and a must see for anyone who's struggling with the challenges of life and perhaps seeking forgiveness.