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An Unbridled Tongue |
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| 2009-07-27 | ||
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Starring: Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, Brian White, Hope Olaide Wilson, Kwesi Nii-Lante Boakye, Frederick Siglar, Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige, Marvin Winans
How do we move past where we've come from; the many hurts and pains that have been inflicted upon us by others? We all know that our ability to love and receive love from others is birthed in how we were loved. As well, the words spoken to us sometimes, to our detriment, will define us. Will we surrender and live life allowing others to define us or will we seek the mercy, truth and love of God and allow Him to define us? This is the resounding message in Tyler Perry's latest film, "I Can Do Bad All By Myself."
Meanwhile, April makes no bones about not wanting the children around. She is, however, determined to keep her surly married boyfriend Randy (Brian White) around. Although he pays her bills there's no real emotional attachment between the two. But you don't miss the fact that there's something missing in April's life and she needs to be restored.
On the days the children work off their debt at Madea's house she and Joe threaten and antagonize the children in pure Madea and Joe form; it's absolutely hilarious.
You can't help but love how April's family and friends never give up on her and will not let her attitude push them away. Recognizing the dysfunction in this family and seeking to make amends for his past, Sandino chooses to stick around holding on to hope, unconditional love and his faith in God. Eventually, he becomes a father figure to the children and a "real" man to April. It is his resilience and loyalty that soon helps April get past the demons in her life, find true love and make a decision that will change her life forever.
Yes, there are many moments of humor in "I Can Do Bad All By Myself", but what holds this film together is the powerful music and the fact that Tyler is purposeful in encouraging people to know that, with God anything broken can be fixed and that love is the medicine that heals the heart, family and community. |
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Synopsis : When Madea, America's favorite pistol-packing grandma, catches sixteen-year-old Jennifer and her two younger brothers looting her home, she decides to take matters into her own hands and delivers the young delinquents to the only relative they have: their aunt April. A heavy-drinking nightclub singer who lives off of Randy, her married boyfriend, April wants nothing to do with the kids. But her attitude begins to change when Sandino, a handsome Mexican immigrant looking for work, moves into April's basement room. Making amends for his own troubled past, Sandino challenges April to open her heart. And April soon realizes she must make the biggest choice of her life: between her old ways with Randy and the new possibilities of family, faith... and even true love.
Tyler introduces us to April (Taraji P. Henson), a tireless nightclub singer who opens the movie singing "Rock Steady" voiced over by Cheryl Pepsi Riley , who spends most of her time caressing a bottle and sleeping all day, trusting no one and is extremely selfish; and makes no apologies for it. One day her sleep is interrupted as Madea (Tyler Perry) as she angrily drops April's niece Jennifer (Hope Olaide Wilson) and two nephews Byron (Freddy Siglar) and Manny (Kwesi Boakye) on her stoop in order to recoup money after finding the trio looting her home. Eager to get her money Madea allows the kids to work off their debt. 
Again April's sleep is interrupted when the Pastor Brian (Pastor Marvin Winans) sends a Mexican immigrant handyman, Sandino ( "CSI Miami's" Adam Rodriquez) to help April around her dilapidated home. Soon Sandino begins to read the heart of this sad and lonely woman, but chooses instead, to love the children as they await foster care. The delay in foster care forces April into an uncomfortable corner as the children must stay with her in the meantime. 
Desiring the see her friend happy, Tanya (Mary J. Blige) who's also a nightclub singer at Club Indigo often shares words of wisdom with April as she drowns her sorrows at the bar. With a straight no chaser type of attitude Tanya helplessly watches as April struggles to live and accept unconditional love from a good man, her friends, her community and the church. After April learns of her mother's death, the children's primary caretaker, Tanya dedicates a powerful song of reflection and truth, "I Can Do Bad all By Myself" to her friend. When asked about the similarities between herself and her character Tanya when performing this song, Mary J. Blige shares, "You saw Mary because I had to channel Mary in order to perform this song. There was a lot of my story in that song and in my character." As well, Wilma (Gladys Knight) stops by club to ask April to let people in and love her, she is brushed off by April. But before she leaves, she too performs, "The Need to Be" an amazing number of self reliance and self love. 
Loosely based on the Tyler Perry stage play with the same name, Tyler teamed up once again with Mr. Reuben Cannon and Lionsgate to produce this story that conveys that even a heart that's been abused and misused can be restored; that with faith, hope and love, true love can come in and birth healthy relationships.