The
full title of the film I saw today is "Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All
By Myself" and justifiably so as he wrote, directed and plays two roles
in this film which is based on a play he wrote.

I
have not seen any of Perry's films but I have read many stories about
his success as a playwright and film maker marketing to the Black
audience. Whatever audience he was aiming at with his main character
called Madea it wasn't for me as I very seldom go for a man playing a woman dressed in drag as a straight character.

The
main reason I went to see this film is that I wanted to see Perry's
work  and I understood his character Madea had only a secondary role,
which is true though Tyler does play 2 different roles.

Starting
with Gladys Knight singing "The Need To Be" I was in tears for the next
45 minutes. It is worth going to see this film just to hear Knight sing
this song and one and half gospel songs not to neglect Mary J. Blige, who I have never heard sing, (okay, okay make your nasty remarks!) do two blow the screen away numbers.

The acting by Taraji P. Henson, who was nominated for her role in Benjamin Button and certainly deserves one for this role, and Hope Olaide Wilson, a young, very accomplished actress with an expressive face
playing a beaten down 16 year old sister of two younger boy siblings
keep all the acting at a high level including that of Blige and Knight.

When
it comes to the men Brian White as the bad guy and Adam Rodriguez as
the good one both come through playing strong roles and it doesn't hurt
they have the looks and bodies to qualify as 'eye candy'. The scenes
with 'Madea' don't overpower the film and add some humor before all the
melodrama comes into the scene though I can do without Perry's
character "Joe".

Marvin L. Williams as
Pastor Brian was a disappoint to me though he has a strong voice. In
part I think this was the fault of the director, yes, Tyler Perry, as
in playing to 'his' audience the scenes with Williams ran too long and
role was the weakest written.

As a
writer I was impressed with Perry's handling of the melodrama and a few
cliches and he certainly manipulates the audience but he gets his
message(s) across. I would really like to see this film with a full
theatre because I know the applause would be thunderous during the
bathroom scene and more than likely half would be clapping along with
the gospel songs just as I was.

As a director there were many amateur shots and using passing clouds between scenes if film directing 101--there was also a few problems with continuity though I am still not sure if during one of Blige's songs the change of dress was suppose to indicate passing of time.

Summing
up I would strongly suggest seeing this film if just to hear Gladys
Knight sing her songs out of the ballpark and to watch Taraji P. Henson and Hope Olaide Wilson do very strong acting.

I look forward to seeing Tyler Perry's future films.