I Can Do Bad All By Myself Review

Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself Movie Review
By: Kadeem Lundy

Tyler Perry is back with his latest film I Can Do Bad All By Myself. The film, which bears the title of Perry's play stars Academy Award nominated actress Taraji P. Henson in the lead role, Adam Rodriguez, Brian White, Tyler Perry as Madea and newcomer Hope Olaide Wilson. The film also features performances from Grammy Award winning singers Gladys Knight and Mary J. Blige along with Pastor Marvin Winans.
In I Can Do Bad All By Myself, the storyline revolves around a young woman named April (Henson), a nightclub performer whose past problems have led her to become a stubborn, selfish, alcoholic; who feels the need to depend on her married boyfriend (White). However when April unexpectedly becomes the caretaker of her orphaned niece and nephews, she must find it in herself to change her selfish ways and open up her heart. However April is not alone on her journey to change which is sparked when she meets Mexican immigrant Sandino(Rodriguez), who moves into her home, and provides her with the love and friendship which allows her to open up her heart.
What is different about this film than Perry's previous films is for one the musical numbers and performances in the film are used not only to uplift the audience,but to help April examine her life, and find out who she is. In the film April's no nonsense best friend Tanya is portrayed by none other than Grammy Award winning singer Mary J. Blige, who delivers the title track of the film as a means of sending a message to April that she can do so much better in life. In portraying Tanya, Blige approaches the character in making her not only a friend to April but also a mentor. Blige's character dishes out blunt, straight to the point advice, which provides wisdom. Blige stated that she drew upon her own life experiences to bring the character to life on the big screen.
Another memorable performance in the film is given by Gladys Knight, who plays Wilma, a church going woman who had a close relationship with April's family. Ms. Knight balances her character in the film through soulful gospel numbers as well as the motherly advice she gives to April. Ms. Knight stated that the character was very much like herself, which helped her in portraying her character.
Taraji P. Henson gives a great performance as usual in the film. In portraying April, Henson goes from making the character a misunderstood,selfish woman, to someone the viewers can identify with, and learn to accept. Perry uses the character April to convey the theme of learning to love ones self before fully being able to love others.
On another note, Perry's beloved character Madea appears in this film,however she has far less screen time than in previous films. Yet the scenes with Madea serve it's purpose in using Madea to teach people about how to love and respect themselves.
But with every hero, and motherly figure there comes a villain,which Brian White plays very convincing, as the non- likeable Randy. From the minute Randy steps on screen the audience is made to dislike his character, and it seems as if the character never changes but gets worse as the film progresses.
Overall I would highly recommend this film, due to how it's theme pertaining to the importance of family is portrayed (Hope Olaide Wilson makes the audience feel for her character Jennifer by giving a convincing portrayal of what it feels like to be abandoned), character depictions, as well as character development. On a last note the film is more along the lines of a musical drama rather than a comedy

I Can Do Bad All By Myself hits theaters on Friday, September 11, 2009.
4 stars