Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

A Masterpiece!

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Well, it's Black History Month, so why not start this off with a bang?Thought I would diversify my reviews with my first ever Madea film, though, unfortunately, not my first Tyler Perry melodrama. See, I've seen a couple of other Lifetime Tyler Perry films and they were so heavy handed, I was hoping for a comedy I thought this was. I was wrong.This was billed as a comedy. Everything I heard about it stated it was funny. I smirked once. Something about imaginary rabbits. That was cute. But the rest of it, not funny. Dramatic, sure. Somewhat Christian message, okay. But hilarious, it was not.Just like the other two Perry films I've sat through, it's a heavy drama with some roundabout religious themes. I mean, I kept thinking aside from Passion of the Christ, this has to be the only other Rated-R Christian film I'm seen. Wow, was I surprised when I did research following that this was NOT Rated-R for all the adult themes and scenes.I digress. It's rated PG-13. Fine. Maybe to sell the movie further to the church-going crowds, I guess. But, this boob-sagging, man-in-drag Madea is anything but a role model for Christians, or even non-religious folk. She/He was a good Gallagher, I suppose, with her/his prop gun that was overused for no real reason.So we have a lawyer's prize wife that needs to get over her cheating, soon-to-always-be ex-husband and fall for an incredibly decent man. That's really the entire gist of the way-too-long two hour drama. Oh, and she's such a bad person/character. She starts off as stupid and blind, then turns clingy, then into a thief and vandal, then into selfish ex-rich girl, then a runaway bride…really she's so reliant on men, even men in drag, she really fits the Perry role model. Tyler's movies really emphasize on how MEN are KINGS and WOMEN are ALWAYS SECOND.Surprisingly, I didn't hate on the movie. I loved that new suitor enough to be interested (Shemar Moore's "Orlando.") He was the only good character that I could cling to and root for. Everyone else either tried too hard to be a caricature of a stereotype or idea of a broken person. Luckily, I can see where they where going with the "funny" scenes to know this movie was meant for a singular audience, but probably not for me.Unfortunately, after they had me in the romance of the title character's Mad Black Woman (even though I always thought that referred to Madea's gun-toting "heroine") the last third got so heavy handed and shifted gears into a Sunday School play of impossible odds, they lost me.It's harmless, really. Not fully recommended, but I guess if you like a more Christian Nutty Professor Reboot, you could do worse. ***Final thoughts: I gave Madea a shot. I was open-minded to finally, after 11 years and 68 Madea sequels I avoided, see one of her/his films. Sadly, she/he was so fake and not really funny, I don't think I need to see the follow-ups.

If you're looking for full on Tyler Perry comedy, don't watch this one. Every time I watch this movie, I laugh and I cry. I've known women who've been cheated on, and it changed them from sweet and happy, to vindictive people who trust no one. I've known families torn apart by drugs and alcohol, and the pain I see in Diary of A Mad Black Woman is dead on. Yep, I know older ladies who carry a pistol in their handbags. Maybe that's why I am so attached to this film. I know these people. DOAMBW is rough on the emotions. The pain is palpable, and we need Madea to break up the hard parts. It's like when you have sickness and death in the family, and you get punchy and silly. You have to laugh to keep from crying. The pretty people in this movie are really beautiful. Who could ever get tired of looking at Kimberly Elise and Shemar Moore? When I hear the voice-over of Kimberly Elise reading the diary entries, it's so realistic. It's the exact things you think when you are falling for someone and trying not. I've read a lot of negative reviews about this movie, but I just don't see the problems. It isn't a documentary after all.

A couple is getting into divorce, when the woman still loves the man and doesn't want to finish the marriage. You must be aware of how dramatic and sad it can be. I believe women who had been through a divorce are more likely to enjoy this film, since I'm just a poor 19 year old guy who hasn't dated for more than three months."Diary of a Mad Black Woman" is a very well written film that is dramatic at most scenes, but we still have some few funny scenes-- such as the dinner's conversation after Charles' recuperation. The cast is extremely competent, with a special congratulations to Kimberly Elise that is excellent in many scenes. I didn't like the fact that the dinner's scene looked like a Shakespearian monologue, the filmmakers should have been more careful in there. Also, I didn't like that many references to god and religion, since I'm an atheist and feel very cheated with this Christian mentions-- which doesn't mean I don't respect people who are in trouble and look for help in a church, I can understand that and I would probably do the same if I believed. After all, this is a good movie with some few flaws, but if you're looking for a romantic drama, this is a good choice.

Wow...where do I begin??First of all, I'm slowly but surely becoming a fan of Tyler Perry's films. I haven't liked ALL of his films, but for the most part I love a lot of his films like: the "Why Did I Get Married" films, "I Can Do Bad All By Myself", and now...I can add "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" to this list! I have to admit, I held off from watching this movie for YEARS because I thought (just based on the title) that the movie was perpetuating the stereotypical image of the "angry black woman" and frankly I didn't want to support that.Well, I finally broke down and got a chance to watch this movie the other day, and let me tell you....I LOVED it! This movie pretty much changed my life! I have been harboring some resentment and anger over an ex boyfriend who did me wrong for years, and while I had started to get over it, it wasn't until I saw this movie that I truly was moved to COMPLETELY forgive him for how he treated me.What Helen (Kimberly Elise) went through with her husband in the film can in NO way compare to what my ex put me through. What her husband did to her makes the problems that my ex and I went through look like a tiny paper cut. I really admire her character's strength, and ability to FORGIVE towards the end of the film. It just showed me that we as women can overcome any type of adversity if we simply try hard enough, forgive the person, forgive ourselves, and ask for God's help. Now, I have firmly resolved to truly FORGIVE my ex completely for how he treated me and to just move on instead of reliving the past. This film moved me so much. :) Of course the cast was great as always. I saw a different side to Shemar Moore (Orlando) that I don't usually see too often. Steve Harris (Charles) was the guy that you just loved to hate in the film. He made it pretty easy believe me! LOL! And of course Madea was in the film and pretty much stole every scene "she" was in lol. I was howling with laughter at the jokes! Overall, like most of Tyler Perry's films, this film takes you through the ringer, but shows towards the end that you can overcome any type of adversity or trials. It really is a feel-good movie towards the end, and if you're a woman who's ever had a bad break up or had a man do you wrong, you will be able to relate to Helen in the film and this movie will uplift you. :) I'm so glad I watched it! Definitely 8/10 stars for me!