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September 2009
I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF

by Wilson Morales

I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF

Distributor: Lionsgate
Director: Tyler Perry
Screenwriter: Tyler Perry
Cast: Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson, Mary J. Blige, Hope Olaide Wilson, Brian White, Kwesi Nii-Lante Boakye, Frederick Siglar, Gladys Knight, Marvin Winans, Adam Rodriguez



   
















With his latest film, 'I Can Do Bad All By Myself,' Tyler Perry brings many of the same elements to the screen as he has in his previous projects, but this time around, the story is much more cohesive -- at least in some places.
'Bad,' which is based on Perry's popular play of the same title, features several unforgettable scenes and others that make you wonder if the editor forgot where he placed the scissors. Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson and newcomer Hope Olaide Wilson deliver exception performances. Overall, this is another one of Perry's feel-good movies that will likely do well at the box office.

When Madea (Perry) catches a group of kids breaking into her home, she's ready to inflict her justice but decides to bring the youngsters to their Aunt April ( Henson), who's not looking to take care of her dead sister's kids. With a married and intimidating boyfriend (Brian White) in tow, April appeals to her estranged mother to take the children before they cramp her lifestyle.

April's mood starts to change when her local pastor brings over a Columbian immigrant named Sandino (Adam Rodriguez), who's looking for work and convinces April to let him stay in her basement and help around the house. With a rebellious teenager and two other kids that need tending to, Sandino uses his wisdom and compassion to force April to look into her own life and see what wrong can made right.

Along with Pastor Brian (Marvin Winans), Wilma (Gladys Knight), a singer at Marshall Baptist Church, and Tanya (Mary J. Blige), who manages the nightclub, April has plenty of folks ready to help her find the right path.

While Perry's signature character Madea was the main attraction in 'Jail,' his highest grossing film to date, in 'Bad,' she merely serves as a prop to bring in folks while another story takes place. Yet, right from the start, Madea's antics and jokes capture your attention as the movie segues into April's story.

In her first lead, Henson doesn't disappoint. She's lively, conflicted and headstrong. The film's biggest film flaws are in the script. As is often the case with his films, Perry infuses one too many story lines without always connecting the dots. At times, the pacing and editing are awkward and you feel as you're watching a bad soap opera.

With Blige, Winans and Knight as part of the cast, you just had to know that Perry would set a musical number for each of them. The singing was great, but the scenes deviated from the story line and went on longer than expected.
Perry predictably delivers a "lesson" toward the end of the film about the power of love over violence. After watching the movie, you'll either leave inspired or ready to turn in your church membership.