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The movie "Straw" by Tyler Perry I just felt compelled to write about and share my thoughts and my heart for advocating in the mental health community; mental health in the Black Community; mental health Awareness. I am someone who lives with Bipolar-my experience living with it has been a challenge still challenging, breaking and being broken. Yes mental health struggles have broken me still break me. I've lived through psychosis, mania, depression and mixed episodes while raising my son as a single mother. I swear Janiyah's heart towards Aria reminded me no matter the broken parts of me I had this little person relying on me. Living with mental illness is an unexplainable brokenness it's a relentless condition to live with. Watching Taraji character "Janiyah" break down mentally from experiencing such a traumatic moment in her already broken life. Those moments were triggering, yes, her moments triggered me just because I lived it I still live it was such a true reflection.

I've been diagnosed with Bipolar since I was 19, living it for 31 years. This movie has struck a core within me it reminded me why I got involved in the mental health field. To save a life by bringing awareness of sharing my close and personal journey with Bipolar and all its impactful possibilities it can have in someone's life. Many of the mentally ill can be so misunderstood just reflecting on the scene when "Janiyah" Taraji's character went through a series of memories towards what caused her psychotic break or the psychosis she experienced; and just in the series of events brought her to that pivotal moment of committing crime(s) or how she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. So many men and women and adolescence end up in jail from these moments of a mental break down or lacking awareness and perhaps others saw the mental state of someone but didn't get involved because our community is taught to turn a blind eye of helping each other even when it's obvious and being witnessed.

Straw just brought up so many thoughts it reminded me of the fire and passion to stay involved and to further help someone like a "Janiyah" from a woman's perspective with a mental health condition and surviving the ugliness of having Bipolar and still surviving. Due to my faith and by God's grace I can go through those broken moments because they still happen but I know my faith is still here and it's been my saving grace. Not to say I live a normal life but truly what's normal these days. I've been able to endure even when nothing makes sense to why am I having these moments, but it wasn't until I learned awareness that's when I decided to fight back. Awareness is what saved my life many people aren't aware of, but it can be the first step to a better life not a cured life but better, to bring hope and healing. Creating a healing community is something I pray about to continue fighting for the mental health of others. I've been blessed to find myself at the center of advocating although I am one person and sometimes, I can't reach everybody but if I can reach one person that brings me joy, and everybody deserve to feel and see God's grace during those broken moments. God may not take it away, but resources and people are in place to help those hurting and who suffer in silence.

Straw was an amazing depiction of mental health and the broken parts no one talks about. I commend Tyler Perry and the cast for the amazing work, and this put mental health at the center of bringing awareness because you never know what the next person is experiencing. Thank you Tyler for bringing mental health to for frontline and mainstream.

If You See Something Say Something.

Blessings to the mental health community we must do better.

Truly, Ayana H.

I gave Straw a try because of all the hype and, admittedly, because Taraji P. Henson is a phenomenal actress and to her credit, she delivered a strong, committed performance. Unfortunately, that's where the praise ends.

Like many of Tyler Perry's films, Straw falls into the same tired formula: a struggling single mother, dramatic twists that defy basic logic, and a storyline that leans heavily on stereotypes rather than fresh storytelling. The plot was not only predictable, but at times completely unrealistic, even bordering on absurd.

It's disappointing, especially considering the platform and influence Tyler Perry has. There's a clear opportunity to tell deeper, more nuanced stories, especially about Black women, that doesn't rely on trauma, caricatures, or recycled plotlines. But once again, that opportunity is missed.

Let's be honest: aside from Henson's solid acting, this was a painfully poor film. We need to be more open and objective when discussing these movies. Hype doesn't equal quality, and it's okay to say it: Tyler Perry's films consistently falls short.

Tyler Perry's Straw is an emotional knockout. It's a raw, honest look at how people carry silent pain until something small becomes the breaking point. Taraji P. Henson is phenomenal as always-her performance is layered and deeply moving. Sherri Shepherd is the real surprise here. She is absolutely amazing, bringing heart and depth that lingers long after the credits roll. This film reminds us that everyone's struggle looks different, and sometimes it only takes one moment to unravel it all. It has the heart and weight of an early 2000s classic. The only thing that keeps it from fully landing in that space is the cinematography. While it gets the job done, it doesn't elevate the story the way it could. Tyler has worked with this DP before, and I'd really like to see a stronger visual approach next time to match the caliber of the performances and script. Still, Straw is one of Perry's most honest and powerful films to date.

The casing was great . The acting was nothing but marvelous . So I was a bit suspicious being a Perry film . Although , you have definitely got me back Mr. Perry . Sherri showed out for sure . I'm a grown 46 year old man from Flint , MI ( King Hood / Taylor St - Dayton Ave ) and was in tears 😭. Thanks for a great movie that all of us can appreciate and relate to . I'm assuming Ma. Henson got paid correctly because she deserves it. I've seen far less actors get awards Sherri needs supporting award . Mr. Perry you did that. All the naysayers should give props where they belong ( Spike Lee ) !!!!

Taraji p. Henson earned every dollar on this project - she acted her heart out and truly carried the film. The writing still has that signature tyler perry cringe we've all come to expect, but this time it's handled with a bit more finesse and a noticeable step up in overall quality. Honestly, this is the best story he's written in a long while. The pacing kept me engaged, and the twist was genuinely unexpected - it caught me off guard in the best way. I really appreciated how everything wrapped up in the conclusion. If you're hesitant, i say give it a shot. It's worth watching and delivers a solid experience.