I Saw That!

One woman's opinions about popular entertainment.

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Amateur boxing coach, Christian (but not so heavenly-minded that I'm no earthly good) singer, writer, self-defense advocate, childfree. feminist www.smartwomenboxingtraining.org

Friday, February 27, 2009

Madea Goes To Jail (2009)

Tyler Perry presents another mix of Christianity, comedy and drama in his latest film to feature the pistol-toting senior citizen, Mabel "Madea" Simmons (played by Perry). Madea is able to avoid the lockup for a crime she did in Meet The Browns (2008). She does get sent up for an incident involving a car, but that doesn't happen until almost the middle of the story. The plot is different from the stage version of this story.

The story mainly focuses on Joshua (Derek Luke), a young attorney engaged to a high achiever named Linda (Ion Overman), who's also an attorney. While in court, Joshua is reunited with an old friend named Candace (Keisha Knight Pulliam) who has become a hooker. As Joshua becomes more determined to help his friend get off the streets, the more irritated Linda becomes.

Unfortunately, the two plots don't mesh well together. It's almost as if two different movies are going on. The cuts between Madea's broad comedy plot and Candace's serious troubles are jarring and abrupt. Madea and Candace don't cross each others' paths until late in the game. There is too long of a tease to explain the tragic event that connects Joshua and Candace. Also, Ms. Pulliam has grown up to be a very pretty young woman (she was Rudy, the youngest Huxtable kid on "The Cosby Show", 1984-1992). However, she seemed a little too polished to portray her down-and-out character.

David and Tamela J. Mann reprise their roles as Mr. Brown and Cora. Perry also plays two other roles in the movie: Brian, Madea's nephew and Joe, Madea's weed-smoking brother. Sofia Veraga, who was in Meet The Browns, plays one of Madea's cellmates. There are various cameos, including judges Mablean Ephraim and Greg Mathis, the women of "The View", and comedian/DJ/author Steve Harvey. One of the funnier moments involves Madea verbally sparring with Dr. Phil.

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