By Samantha Ofole-Prince
America’s raucously funny granny Mable “Madea” Simmons and her carefully coiffed white wig is back on the big screen in another sentimental movie with a message.
When Madea (Perry) catches sixteen-year-old Jennifer (Wilson) and her two younger brothers Manny (Boakye) and Byron (Siglar) looting her home in the middle of the night, she decides to take matters into her own hands and delivers the delinquents to their only relative: their aunt April (Henson). A heavy-drinking club singer who lives off her married boyfriend Randy (White), April has no room in her heart for the kids — until a handsome new tenant (Rodriguez) starts to crack her tough exterior.
Combining comedy and chaos, the movie is produced, written and directed by one man machinist Tyler Perry and bears his customary trademark of redemption and forgiveness.
With abusive relationships and lots of gospel sermons on the menu, the villains, as usual, are extremely bad people and laughter is plentiful as expected.
With strong cast performances and a musical performance by Gladys Knight and Mary J. Blige who also plays the club owner, “I Can Do Bad All by Myself” is loosely based on Perry’s stage play of the same name.
Riddled with messages which exude compassion, forgiveness and revenge, themes Perry’s films consistently explore, it’s a pleasant melodramatic offering which should fare well amongst Perry’s devoted fan base of church ladies who will enjoy this saccharine-laden tale.
