Watch For Colored Girls
Watch For Colored Girls movie
- IMDB rating: 3.80
- IMDB votes: 631
- Release Date: 2010
- Category:
- Drama /
StumbleUpon
Del.icio.us
FavoritesMore information :
- The movie is based on Ntozake Shange's play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf." Unlike the original play which featured only 7 women known by colors performing the collection of 20 poems, the movie has given each of the 20 characters names. Each of the poems deal with intense issues that particularly impact women in a thought-provoking commentary on what it means to be a female of color in the world. Written by Anonymous
- tags: For Colored Girls, Colored, Girls, movie, based, Ntozake, Shange's, play, "For, Have, Considered, Suicide, When, Rainbow, Enuf, Unlike, original, which, featured, only, women, known, colors, performing, collection, poems, given, each, characters, names, Each, deal, with, intense, issues, that, particularly, impact, thought-provoking, commentary, what, means, female, color, world, Written, Anonymous
Added: 5 November 2010
Vote: 12
Decent but not Box Office quality (belongs on Bravo channel)
This is and will be a signature piece to Tyler Perry, however it's soboring i don't know if it's worth the full 15.75 to watch it..
This movie is watchable and tolerable unlike his other rehashed, VERYclich?' flicks but it just falls down the tubes with the entertainmentportion, i was bored to death, The movie is basically Waiting toExhale, Whats love got to do with it and Precious all thrown togetherin a big Gumbo pot however i did enjoy Kimberly Elise acting whichprobably saved this entire movie from being thrown out a week into it'srelease. Janet Jackson, I LOVE YOU GIRL! but baby! Stop!!!!!! Youcannot act! i've punished myself long enough waiting for you to have abreak-thru acting role that would get you another Oscar but girl..you've lostit.. When she cries it's like watching tear's fall from oneof those baby doll toy's, they are so forced it's painful to watch.
Phlyica Rashad did a fantastic job with the poorly written portions shedid have, she made due with what she had and ran with it.. put thiswomen in more movies and give her bigger scripts!
Obviously Tyler Perry doesn't need anyone to tell him he does or doesnot know how to direct but he does have a lot of work to do..
I had to give this 5/10 because although there were flashes of greatacting and directing it just was not worth the money.. seriously.. Waitfor it to get on TV, you wont be as mad or empty when your leave..Luckily i got to watch it for free but i saw some frustrated andconfused people leaving and a lot of people just did not talk about themovie after they left out, everyone just filed out quietly and went totheir car's as if they were dazed..
this movie would go well in anyone's collection if you like Black art'ssuch as the color purple, roots, etc...
Added: 8 November 2010
Vote: 8
If they gave an academy award for crying ...
I imagine that Janet Jackson's agent said that Ms. Jackson will be inthis film if she gets a good crying scene, because the Motion PictureAcademy looks favorably on actors and actresses who cry. Then ThandieNewton said, if she gets to cry, I want to cry also! Then KimberlyElise said, if those two get to cry, me too! And word got around, andthe entire cast demanded equal crying time. Aside from the rivers oftears, there was an ocean of poetry (at least they said it was poetry,although it sounded more like plain old prose to me). I'm not sure whatrelation the "poetic monologues" had to do with the story, but I guessyou had to be there. I wonder how this film will do with audiences. I'mnot sure most audiences are ready for more than 2 hours of unrelentingmisery.
User: Apryl N ParisAdded: 5 November 2010
Vote: 10
The movie is AWESOME... but.....
The movie is so fluid and beautiful. The words of Ntozake Shange are sopoetic, this plays like a musical.... each person takes the words, addscharacter, and makes them weave together with harmonies that echo longafter leaving the theater. It was moving and it was wonderful. Thismakes me want to go back and try to read this and other works by theauthor! ... but the anachronisms were awful. In one scene, they have aroom with a plasma TV, but the phone is on the wall with the old cords.NO ONE has a cell phone. So many things that distract from thisbeautiful movie. Is it set in the late 60's / early 70's (hence thecommon use of words like 'Colored') or is it set in modern times (wherewe would see the fashions and hear the concerns we have? I loved this..but I think that Mr. Perry should have had an editor to proofread tomake sure he was in one time or another. I do not fault him for doingthe re-write of the story, because he did a great job.... just so many'oops' in timing issues.
The words of Ntozake Shange swirl and simmer and make so much happen inmy head. I have to wonder if in 50 years, will this still resonate likethe words of William Shakespeare in his time.
Added: 7 November 2010
Vote: 12
Some people can't tell the difference between crap and good film
This is really bad at its worst. Tyler Perry, who has made some of theworst films and easily the worst television in HISTORY, including Houseof Payne and Meet the Browns admits he's lame in many interviews, notbecause he's humble, he knows his work is crap and often apologizes forit. The source work for this movie is too good for him to be allowed tomake a very lousy soap opera out of it and any director worth his saltcould have done better. He is such a terrible actor, he can't tell whenhe's directing how to give advise because real actors would neverlisten and when they do they make crap like this. If you look atTyler's body of work (look at Rotten Tomatoes) when 100 out of 110reviews say it's awful you can't say it's the critics picking on him,he just stinks. For those who liked this (see other reviews) I'm surethey think McDonalds is good food and Ray Romano is a good actor. Theyjust don't know the difference. Take a film appreciation class beforesaying..."This should get Oscars"!! Tyler Perry will NEVER EVER benominated for an Oscar nor anyone he directs unless it is by accident.Please stop, Tyler or get some tips from a genius like Carl Franklin ifyou haven't seen his films and what ENTERTAINMENT is about! I eventhink Miley Cyrus has more talent than Tyler and I hate her acting!!!
User: gwendolynkleeAdded: 11 November 2010
Vote: 6
Left the theater depressed!
While this movie obviously had great talent, it was so depressing Ibarely made it through. Every woman had a heavy burden, from being HIVpositive from her husband, having her children dropped from a 5th storywindow (the worst part), being raped by a casual acquaintance, beingpregnant as a teen and having a back alley abortion, and more......itwas all just about too much to take in one sitting. I don't have aproblem with drama, but this was overload. I wouldn't recommend it toanyone. Much of the dialog was in prose and though it had a few greatlines, it was difficult to follow/understand. When we left the theaterand talked we found we'd both wanted to leave early in the movie...Iwish one of us would have made the move!!!
User: AliAkbar01Added: 11 November 2010
Vote: 9
The intention of Perry was right but the whole movie was made in an instant...
For Colored Girls is meant to be an heart-warming movie but insteadends up flat and over-dramatized. The purpose were right but the talentof writing is lacking and it a pity because their was some strong leadin the casting... At first i wasn't really fascinated about Tyler Perrymovie's but after this one my perception of his work has definitelychanged , the guy can make movie's and he proved it well with this one, but it a shame that it didn't work well in the scripting part. Someof the lead actress were good and some of them were just plain bad , iam talking here about Janet Jackson who should seriously re-considerher acting career , while in contrary Thandie Newton shined even if thepoor writing was in the mix... Loretta Devine is one hell ofover-dramatic actress she is good but when it comes to movies like thisshe just cannot relate to her character , instead all of her attentionget's to the over-dramatization part. On the whole For Colored Girlshas some strong leads but the movie is not a classic and it's farreally far away from last year's Precious...
User: lxlaAdded: 10 November 2010
Vote: 6
Excellent , excellent
This movie was powerful, intense, truthful, and mesmerizing. the filmconsists of some of the most powerful actresses and actors in thebusiness. Hollywood take notice, give them their props and most of all,see the movie , over and over again, Oscar buzz, do you hear thebuzzing of a winner @@@@@!!! congratulations Tyler and to all of theteam Janet, Thandie, Kerry , Phylicia, Whoopi, Loretta, Kimberly andTeesa , you are all superstars. thank you for such a powerful tearjerker. Most of all I love that all women from positive walks of life., from a magazine editor , nurse, mother, landlady , dancer, socialworker. Tyler has done such a great job, I cant stop talking about it ,go go go for Oscar, the Sag award , all of it,.
User: wtsouthallAdded: 7 November 2010
Vote: 5
Tyler Paerry Has Improved His Craft
I saw this movie just last night and must admit that it was a prettygood movie. I base how good a motion picture is by how much I thinkabout it long after I have left the theater. I gave it an 8 because itwas captivating and well cast. Phylicia Rashad is a true class act andKimberly Elise must receive an Oscar nod for this performance! However,I felt sorry for every African American man that had to go home with ablack women.
Once again, Mr. Perry has succeeded in profiling black men as rapist,loser's, gay down-low brothers, mentally challenged & unemployed andnow, child murderers. I sincerely hope that no parent of a small childallows there kid to see this. Because they might assume that they toowill get thrown out the window if daddy can't find work and is having abad week! One cannot help but wonder....what message is Tyler Perry issending to our black women by throwing black men under the bus in everymovie he makes. While I believe that the subtle message that I havepicked up on is dis-hearting...it may be a reality.
Tyler Perry has stepped his game up with the overall direction of thisfilm. I laughed, and almost cried in several scenes....it was thatpowerful. But, it would have been much better if almost every AfricanAmerican man in the film was not portrayed in such a negative light.
W. Southall
Added: 13 November 2010
Vote: 4
For Colored Girls and Every Girl
For Colored Girls is the first film I've seen all year that I believeis deserving of an Oscar win for Best Picture. And if the entire castcould receive an individual Oscar, this cast is worthy enough to. It'sthat good--- extremely well-acted, unique story-telling, a real and rawscript and just an engaging treat to watch. Producer, director,screenwriter and actor Tyler Perry (Madea series) had done anoutstanding job bringing Ntozake Shange's celebrated play For ColoredGirls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf to life ontothe movie screen. The cast is a dream, with some of the best AfricanAmerican actresses in Hollywood playing lead roles: a stony JanetJackson (Poetic Justice, Why Did I Get Married?/Too?) as Jo, a rich,cold-hearted unhappily married woman, a zany dressed in all whiteWhoopi Goldberg (Sister Act, The Color Purple) as Alice, a crazyreligious mother, a wildly out of character Thandie Newton (Crash,2012) as Tangie, a nymphomaniac and eldest daughter of Alice, anemotion-filled Kimberly Elise (Set It Off, John Q) as Crystal, anabused wife and mother of two, a smiley, pretty Anika Noni Rose (ThePrincess and the Frog, Dreamgirls) as Yasmine, a gifted ballet dancer,a colorful soprano voiced Loretta Devine (Death at a Funeral (2010),Woman Thou Art Loosed) as Juanita, a health worker who's in love with awomanizer, a mother-esquire Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show t.v.series) as Gilda, the nosy neighbor of Tangie and Crystal, a gloomfaced Kerry Washington (I Think I Love My Wife, Lakeview Terrace) asKelly, a social worker who can't have kids and up-and-coming actress---a cute, energetic Tessa Thompson as Nyla, a dancer in Yasmine's classand the sister of Tangie. Some of the best acting ever is showcasedwhen each of the women break out into hypnotic, beautiful monologues ofpoetry as their characters are at their most vulnerable moments. Allthe women are harboring secrets and deal with some very painful, sadand terrible situations in the film. You feel for each and every one ofthem to the point of tears, anger and shock. *SPOILERS: One woman israped (in a shocking scene which is so shocking because the guy whodate-rapes her seemed like a good guy), another woman's children arekilled in front of her by their father (such a jaw-dropping horrificscene), another woman goes to get a back alley (literally) abortion inthe most dirtiest accommodations by the creepiest abortionist (achilling, the singer Macy Gray) and another woman contacts HIV from herin-the-closet gay husband.* Melodramatic? Yes, but at the same time, ithas to be, especially with the tragedies these characters face. The menin For Colored Girls did excellent jobs portraying their characters aswell, especially the bad characters--- they couldn't have been easy toplay. Michael Ealy (Takers, Barbershop series) scarily plays Beau, theabusive, alcoholic husband of Crystal. Khalil Kain (Girlfriends t.v.series) is Bill, the not-as-he-seems man Yasmine dates. Omari Hardwick(The A-Team, Kick-Ass) is Carl, the in-the-closet gay husband of Jo.Hill Harper (Soul Food t.v. series) plays Donald, a cop and partner ofKelly, and is the only good guy in the film--- followed perhaps next bythe can't-stop-cheating Frank, Juanita's partner, played by RichardLawson (How Stella Got Her Groove Back). Is For Colored Girls, 1995'sWaiting To Exhale for this generation of African American women?Perhaps. Themes of sisterhood and man-bashing are within For ColoredGirls just the same. But For Colored Girls explores more of learning tolove one's own-self and what that means when you're a woman and AfricanAmerican. Although For Colored Girls is aimed at African Americanwomen, every woman of any color can relate to most of the issues thefilm touches upon. I was happy to see not only black women but otherraces of women at the showing I was at. Maybe this is because ForColored Girls deals with so many themes that every woman can at relateto at least one of them. It's a brave, beautiful, touching film that ismade especially for colored girls and for every girl. Here's to anOscar!
User: Imade EdwinaAdded: 19 November 2010
Vote: 2
Thank you Tyler Perry
Wonderful, excellent movie Tyler Perry and beautifully and delicatelymade. I loved the details and the statistics that were indirectlyincluded. Everything in this movie is occurring in 2010, including thestereotypes that women have against men and vice versa. This was a verydeep film. Not everyone has to understand, and not everyone canpossibly understand until they have dealt with or seen some of thesituations that occurred in the film. This film possessed an undeniablerealness that I know touched the hearts of those that have pained andsuffered or are still paining to this day. To me, this film was notmade to like or dislike it was made to touch hurting hearts through thevoices of those that otherwise might not have been heard, understood,or taken seriously. Some will see this film and it will hit close tohome. Young women that have never read the play may have a greaterchance at seeing the film because media plays such a big part in thelife of young adult in 2010. This film will reach out to those thatneed it most. That is art, and this is art. So thank you...forcontinuing to reach out to those who need it most, and not just givingus entertainment.
User: mariesanti316Added: 21 November 2010
Vote: 1
Deserving, outstanding..
I agree with most of the other reviews. The acting is fantastic, manyare finding complaints with Janet Jackson, that was her role, coldalmost inhuman, controlled. This movie is overwhelming, earthshattering and heartbreaking. Whether you liked or not , it made youfeel something. Isn't that what it is suppose to do. I was drawn intothe emotion of the movie immediately. However the poetry completelythrew me off. I agree with the critics, the transition from the poeminto the film is not fluid. The poetry is oddly placed and not in syncwith the context of the film. In fact I found myself wanting to getpast those scenes and on with the film. I am going to read the poemsfirst and go back and watch the film again and see if that makes adifference. Except for that, the film is deserving of all that is good.
User: secondtakeAdded: 22 November 2010
Vote: 1
A gorgeous, layered, over-the-top emotional ride...I really liked it
For Colored Girls (2010)
An artful, gutsy, moving experience.
You could easily see this movie and say that it's overly artful,overtly gutsy, and overwhelmingly moving experience. You would have tolike this kind of high drama. Very high drama. And I do, and so I lovedthis movie.
If you've seen "Crash" you know how this movie is put together--aseries of high powered characters in tough situations are followedseparately in an interwoven and increasingly connected urban universe.This is a work about women, African-American women, and about theirultimately horrible plight in a world of greed, horror, and men, whodon't come off very well. So they turn increasingly inward, and to eachother, to survive.
Director Tyler Perry has great material here--the Ntozake Shange playthat wowed Broadway in 1975. One of the strengths here is one of thethings people find irritating--the characters speak at times in longlines of poetic monologue. It isn't realistic, but it's beautiful, andin fact it really is poetry, and is part of the overall style. Thishelps form the overall aura of the movie, as well, of highbrowseriousness in a gutsy, often low income narrative. The story getstweaked for 2010, though some of the themes don't make sense for ourtimes, most glaring the backstreet abortion.
The acting is fabulous, and uniformly so. Everyone is able to reallypour it on, which is difficult when they are sometimes speaking throughactual poetry. And so through all the tears comes a realization thatthis very artificially outrageous drama has deeply deeply seriousintentions.
If you like movies for how they are made--the editing, the filming, theset design--you'll be impressed. It's highly artful in a Hollywood,expensive way, an uncompromised production. Of course, as a viewer, youhave to like that, especially when it gets artsy, as when a mother anddaughter speak in two simultaneous monologues and the camera, and thesound, film back and forth between them, while still delicately keepingboth threads continuous and palpable throughout. And the moment hashuge symbolism, too, because it's about how they never understand eachother, even when they pretend to try.
If there's a large problem here, it's in the endless excess. There ismore tragedy, and more emotional crisis, than you can handle in amovie. I think it starts to be a parody of itself, and toward the endyou are just ready for a catharsis. The choreographed ending is alittle predictable and breezy, too, though even here, when the womengather on the roof, there is still a complex, interwove poetic power.
So, forget the cynics and the impatient, if you can, that have slammedthis film. It's not a typical Tyler Perry movie at all. It's a smart,beautiful film.
Added: 22 November 2010
Vote: 1
Not the brightest bulb in the chandelier...
When I saw the previews for this movie entitled "For Colored Girls" Iinitially scoffed and refused to offer up a penny to watch this movie.But after it's release, I had heard overwhelmingly positive feedbackabout the movie from peers (mostly black women) and friends - So, Idecided to watch the movie because Tyler Perry never ceases toentertain me ;)
First and foremost, I must say that IF YOU ARE A MAN YOU (probably)WON'T APPRECIATE THIS MOVIE. This really is the type of movie you watchwith your girlfriends...or even by yourself (that way when you cry, noone you know will witness it).
There were many strong points in the movie, but there were also somecringers..
Cringe-tastic/Eyebrow Knitting Moments: 1, One big blotch that standsout in this "masterpiece" is the awkward recitation of poems, most ofwhich weirdly placed to fit certain circumstances. In fact, the firsttwo poems that were said, I didn't even understand because there wassuch an abrupt transition from modern day talk into elaborate, flowery,(and dramatic)storytelling.
2, The problems discussed in this movie (abusive relationships, daterape, broken relationships, abortion) are not just limited to blackwomen. These issues are universal, and I'm not sure I really see theneed to label the whole movie "For Colored Girls" And as a black women,I would like to see black women portrayed in a morepositive/influential light.
Despite those main burps, this movie had some notable moments. 1, Theacting is superb - from everyone. Normally, I'm not a fan of JanetJackson or Kerry Washington, but I must say that every actress gave aphenomenal performance in this movie. I would say that Janet hasdefinitely grown as an actor, and I respect her more after watchingthis movie.
2, The movie makes you think, and each women's situation leaves youwith a different lesson. Amongst some of the lessons viewers learn:(1)Don't trust someone you barely even know. (2) Get involved! If yousee someone being abused - get help. If you see your child going downthe wrong path - guide them in the right direction. (3) If a man's nottreating you right, leave him! No one deserves to be treated like adoormat or a punching bag. (4) Take Responsibilites for your actions.If you've made a mistake, don't deny it and keep making the mistakeover and over...and most importantly MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE. Whatdoesn't kill you only makes you stronger (and that is the truth.)
Some people say that this movie is an insult to black men. I say, thismovie is not about black men. It's about women in pain experiencingdifficult situations, and surviving through it. The lack of great blackmen should not be important since this movie's central idea is notabout great black male role models.
Overall, I think the movie was pretty okay, especially considering thatthe director had the difficult task of transforming a play into a film.I would recommend, as others have said, watch the movie for yourself.Come to your own conclusions, and don't walk into the theater with aclosed mind or a fixed attitude.
=D
Added: 23 November 2010
Vote: 1
Thank you Tyler Perry.
This movie was an amazing story. Heartfelt, serious, and beautifullydone.
Although the content is heavy and sad, I recommend this as a girls'night out movie. Possibly, a mother/daughter experience. (The movie israted "R" for a reason, though - be sure you are aware of that.)
Men, you should see it as well. It may not be your "cup of tea" but itwill certainly enlighten you to what women deal with on a daily basis.
It certainly will give you much to talk about and open doors forconversations that you may not normally have.
In the theater there were about 20 people (it was a weekday afternoon),four white women (I'm included in that category), one man (with hissignificant other), and the rest, women of color. I believe it touchedus all in very similar ways.
See it. No matter what color of the rainbow you are.
Added: 26 November 2010
Vote: 1
Not a Standing Ovation, but a Commendable Job
As a huge Ntozake Shange fan, I was not skeptical, but rather CURIOUSas to how her work would be translated on-screen, especially when Ifound out Tyler Perry was the director. I have nothing against TylerPerry and actually find most of his movies pretty enjoyable, butthey're definitely a bit cookie-cutter, stereotypical, and trite.That's why I give him kudos for this film, as it was certainly apleasant departure from his previous work. I was pleased with hisdirection and the realistic portrayal of most of the characters in thefilm. (A couple were overdone, but I shall get to that in a moment.)There was definitely a slight fluidity issue, but nothing thatovershadowed the overall success of the film. When I talk aboutfluidity, I mean the cohesion of scenes, but I definitely liked the waythat Shange's actual poems were incorporated into the film. It didn'tseemed forced or like Perry just stuck in the recitals because he knewthey needed to fit in somewhere, but well thought-out and fitting withthe dialogue.
The cast was pretty strong over-all. Kimberly Elise, by far, led thepack with her amazing skill. Every time she graced the screen, theemotion and sorrow in her eyes pierced through my heart. She wasabsolutely PHENOMENAL and I expect her to be well recognized come awardseason. Thandie Newton was GORGEOUS as always, and did great, butseemed slightly overdone at times, especially when she tried to speakebonics. (But that is expected, as she has a natural foreign accent.)I've noticed a lot of people criticize Kerry Washington's character as"overdone," but I really liked Kerry in this film and believed hercompletely. Anika Noni Rose, Tessa Thompson, and especially PhyliciaRashad also stood out to me, though they had some of the lesser roles.All three did wonderfully with what they were given. JanetJackson...eh. I don't know what it is about her, but I have never beenimpressed with her acting. I don't know if she's not digging enough orif screen just isn't her forte, but she never feels believable to meand I feel uncomfortable watching her. I would definitely call her theweakness in the film.
A controversial topic regarding this movie is its "theme" (many labelit a Sisters movie) and the message it portrays. A male friend of minewho was dragged along to see this movie with his cousin found it highlyoffensive to black men. I'm not going to lie---it certainly does labelblack men as "douches." All black men, with the exception of KerryWashington's husband in the film, are portrayed as either emotionally,verbally, sexually, or physically abusive, selfish, andheartless---which as we all know is NOT true in real-life. There areplenty of great black men in this world that are educated, goodproviders, loving, respectful, honest, and that know how to treat womenlike princesses. I don't think was a man-bashing movie, but more-so afilm that highlights many issues women experience that comehand-in-hand with broken families, absent fathers, violent men,rape/sexual abuse. I would recommend this to not just all black women,but to women of all races, as we ALL know someone---whether it beourselves, our moms, our daughter, our sisters, our aunts, our cousins,our friends---who can relate to the struggles shown For Colored Girls.
Added: 27 November 2010
Vote: 1
A Great Film
You know what is ridiculous? It's not this film, its the fact thatpeople have the audacity to rate it a one star. Even if you didn't likeit there must have been something redeemable in the film that causedyou to sit through the entire film. One star should be reserved to theworst of the worst, and this film is not that.
I think people have missed the point of the film. It was not tobrighten your day with rainbows and unicorns. If you want a feel-goodmovie go see a romantic comedy. Four Colored Girls is about reality.Not everyone's reality, but reality for some women. African Americanwomen lead the nation in instances of contracting HIV from partners, insome states teen pregnancy/abortion, and spousal abuse is a very realepidemic worldwide. Tyler Perry shows all aspects of life and theconsequences of not taking personable responsibility for change. We seethat in the extreme case of Crystal's character and what happened toher children.
We all get a glimpse of what recovery looks like. The message is loudand clear, that women who endure these trials are not alone and canendure and recover. I think that message reached it's pinnacle withGilda and Crystal in the last scene in Crystal's apartment and herencouraging words. How one could be bored with this movie is beyondme--sure the poetry could get to be a bit tedious as it increases asthe film goes on, but you have to listen to the 'words' to know why itwas incorporated in the first place and not just roll your eyes becauseit was.
I'm sure several non-minority groups rated this film one star onprinciple. Perhaps the very nature of the film's name brings to mindreverse racism and exclusion. I assure you the movie is not about race.In no parts was there emphasis on the treatment of black people in alargely white society. And non-minority should in no way be intimidatedby lack of non-minorities featured in this film. If you're ever indoubt of how large-scale and predominantly skewed Hollywood films arein favor of non-minorities you have only to visit your local rentalstore and you can see a variety of films where not a speck of colorexist. Yet there is no movie made to man where an non-minority is notfeatured. Hating on Perry for trying to uplift a portion of the nationthat has largely been ignored is pure folly.
Added: 1 December 2010
Vote: 1
To Tyler Perry, From a Colored Girl.
PLEASE STOP DIRECTING!!
I had a feeling I was done for when I saw the corny, student film styleopening credits (For Colored Girls, For Colored Girls, For ColoredGirls...) Uck!!
Peel away your ego Tyler Perry!!!!! Hint: someone else directedPrecious, that's why it went as far as it did!!
You should have let someone like Baz Luhrmann direct "For ColoredGirls..." I've seen and read this play and I've always loved it! Thefilm could have been so much better!
The other actresses were SO great that you should have hired unknownactresses that were actually strong actresses to play Janet Jackson'srole, Thandie Newton's role, and Whoopi Goldberg's role.
Janet Jackson was PUSHED. I didn't believe her. Janet needed to trainher voice, she was in her throat when she confronts her husband withher fake tears. It look like you guys were adding tear drops at everytake. FAIL!
Im a HUGE Whoopi fan but i didn't like her either. Viola Davis wouldhave been stronger.
Perry I wish you would stop directing. You have money now, produce!And, find good directors to take over the projects you're interestedin.
Perry waste good actor's talent. I want to see Kerry Washington,Kimberly Elise and Phylicia Rashad get Oscar nods, but because of youit's probably not going to happen. If a good director worked on thisproduction they would all be nominated, they're amazing!!!
I've seen and read the play, "For Colored Girls..." it's fantastic!!!If Tyler Perry wanted to keep the poetry as he did he should have madeit a musical like the stage production or let someone like Baz Luhrmanndirect it. A more talented director wouldn't have actresses breakinginto poems in the middle of a scene, just because. He needed to find amore artsy and less disturbing way of adding the poetry.
Thandie newton should NOT be cast in "urban" films. She has notperfected the accent or the behaviour and it's disturbing! She takesaway from the beauty of those characters. She's a spoof of what thatcharacter should be.
It's OK to hire more unknown actresses!!! If their talented, like TessaThompson, your productions would be so much better!! We don't need youthrowing Janet Jackson and Whoopi Goldberg in our face. We don't care.THEY CAN'T ACT!!
Tyler Perry sensationalized bad situations instead of appropriatelydirecting a tragedy.
Disappointed!
Added: 6 November 2010
Vote: 13
Superb Acting saved this film
I had very little background on this film before I saw it. Perhaps hadI seen the play or read more about the concept of the work, my opinionwould be better or worse. But as it stands, I enjoyed it...at least tothe point you can enjoy such a heavy piece of work. I left the theaterfeeling I did when I saw "Precious": glad I saw the film, recognizingit was a special piece of work, but ambivalent about the over-the-topdarkness that resonated in the film. Both films try to take you to aplace you've never seen on film, a place you didn't even think filmwould go ie murdered kids and graphic tales of molestation.
The strong: SUPERB acting, from most involved. Rashad, Elise, Devine,and Rose brought Oscar-worthy performances. Perry will get props herefor choosing a wonderfully-talented cast to pull off a challengingpiece of art. Thandie Newton and Kerry Washingtong both did respectablejobs as did Whoopi Goldberg and the younger cast member whose nameescapes me. Another strong element was the concept. I don't know if itwas pulled off to a tee, which I will mention later, but I found thepoems brilliantly written and delivered and the concept of documentingintertwining lives interesting.
The weak: The exception to the superb acting cast would be JanetJackson. Once again, Perry tries to force her to be better than she is,and once again, he/she comes up short. As another commenter stated, shejust doesn't have it. I will give her props on finding a way to garnerup the tears on cue when going through her poem lines, but as a whole,she is stiff and unmoving as an actress. But she does wear her color (Iguess they all have colors or something?) red well. Maybe that's whyshe was chosen for the role? Who knows except Perry why he continues togo that same well for his films. I digress there though.
Another glaring weakness of the film is that once again Perry's lack ofgood instinct as a director is evident. WHY for the love of all thingsholy did he have the cast recite ALL THE LINES OF THE POEMS? Did he notwatch the film in the edit room and see that the poems were toolong-drawn out for a film and could easily be too much for theaudience? Where are his instincts? Even movie-watching instincts. Itseems he should have recognized that the script needed major tweaking.It's troubling that even now, after all his success in his many films,he still has not captured more sophistication as a director. The filmcould have easily been sliced down by at least 30 minutes and been justas effective--actually moreso--than it was.
I do not know if this is a weakness of the film or if the original playwas written for just this effect, but it is obvious that the authorhated men. Virtually all the men were portrayed not just as mean orinsensitive, but as devils. And there was no subtlety. The blatancy ofthe double standard was rather insulting and off-putting. But again,perhaps that is where the author meant to go with the piece.
In sum, while there were major areas that could have been improved, Ihave to call foul on some of the critics' assault of this film, andtheir proclivity to compare it to other--admittedly weak--Tyler Perryworks. Though Perry's fingerprints are all over this film, includingthe garden variety Madea-esquire funny lines from the residentoverweight character to the stoicism of the well-to-do professionalwith the troubled marriage (Jackson's character is practically a mirrorimage of her character in other Perry films), I do think this film isof better quit than most of his offerings, and he should be givencredit for elevating his game a little bit. Perry knows his audiencewell and though it can be argued that he sometimes seems to "dumb down"for laughs or whatever, he has to be given credit for being loyal tohis fans. Time and time again, he gives them what they expect--a safething to do yes, but an amazing show of loyalty nonetheless. This filmshould not have a score as low as the 3.6 it has right now. The greatacting alone carries it to at least the mid-way mark. Though I want togive it a 6.5 and could thus go for a 6 or 7 on the IMDb scale, I amgoing to up-rate it to counter what I believe is unfairly low number atthe current moment.
Added: 7 November 2010
Vote: 10
This movie is a home run!!!
I saw it last night and am still trying to decided which actressperformed the best - they all did. There is nothing clich? about thisfilm, the setting was perfectly altered to fit the current times,although I would have equally enjoyed it if the movie was set duringthe time the play was written.
For a few of the actresses, this is the best performance I've ever seenof them. The rest, I pretty much expected stellar acting because theynever fail to do that. This movie was so perfectly cast. Everythingabout the movie...I love it! This movie is on my list of favorites. Iam deeply touched.
Added: 7 November 2010
Vote: 9
So many excellent performances
It is always a joy to see talented Black actresses givenmeat-on-the-bone material to chew on. And the brothers did notdisappoint especially Michael Ealy. He broke my heart and made me sickat the same time. The interjection of the poems reminded me of amusical: dialogue then someone breaks out in song. It took me a minuteto get use to it, but I eventually appreciated the "differentness".
While most involved did a wonderful job, the standout performances camefrom Kimberly Elise, Phylicia Rashad, Loretta Devine, Michael Ealy andAnika Noni Rose. I thought Whoopi was too old for the character sheplayed and Janet's characterization needed far more passion than shewas able to present. The visit to the "death room" was out of place inthe contemporary world Tyler Perry created.
But For Colored Girls was an experience. The movie made me thankful formy hard-working father who was always there, my brother-in-laws whotreat my sisters well and for the many men I have been blessed to knowwho would not, could not rape, brutalize nor disrespect a woman. HilHarper's character should have had some company. But then it would nothave been Ntozoke Shange's story.
The performances make this movie worth your time.
