FOR COLORED GIRLS review thread

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 10/22/10 at 1:50pm

Well the first review of FOR COLORED GIRLS has come in, and it's a doozy from The Hollywood Reporter.

"For once, Tyler Perry doesn't put his name above the title, but perhaps he should with "For Colored Girls" to distinguish this train wreck of a movie from the stunning theater piece of 36 years ago by Ntozake Shange."


I'm hoping for better, but not really expecting it.

The Hollywood Reporter: For Colored Girls -- Film Review

Updated On: 10/22/10 at 01:50 PM

[trentsketch]

Posted: 10/22/10 at 6:29pm

A few people not at liberty to review the film have been sneaking information to the big film blogs. Two different anonymous sources have contradictory views at Hollywood Elsewhere. http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2010/10/split_perrygirl.php

The common thread on all the sites like this is Perry didn't do enough to transform the material, only providing superficial changes to create the appearance of narrative in what's essentially just a character piece. The actors are mostly getting good notes, with the not-well-known-enough-to-nominate performers getting the best marks. Someone even claimed Macy Gray was the breakout acting performance in the film. http://incontention.com/2010/10/15/gray-and-elise-the-pick-of-for-colored-girls/

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/22/10 at 7:46pm

I was hoping against hope that this would be a great film, especially since it's rare now that Whoopi actually acts. Sad...

[Kad]

Posted: 10/22/10 at 8:10pm

I'm not surprised. The material would have been hard for anyone to adapt to the screen- much less Tyler Perry, who, is as a director, is competent at best.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 10/22/10 at 9:14pm

How disappointing, though I can't say I'm surprised. I'll still see it and hope for the best, though.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 11/4/10 at 4:14pm

Roger Ebert: **1/2

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 11/4/10 at 4:29pm

"Tyler wishes for the seamlessness of Altman's The Company, a beautiful commentary on life as a constant mode of performance, but when he cuts to Nyla and her teacher, Yasmine, in ballet class, or from some frenetic new episode in one of his character's lives to an opera attended by Jo and her hubby, it's to emphasize little more than the fact that his story is full of nothing but drama—and it makes you want to wail, all Mary J. Blige-like, for no more of it."

http://slantmagazine.com/film/review/for-colored-girls/5127

[auggie]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 10:31am

Cleveland Plain Dealer is mixed:http://www.cleveland.com/moviebuff/index.ssf/2010/11/tyler_perrys_for_colored_girls.html

This quote did catch my eye though:
Equally hard to stomach is Jackson, reaching ever so hard for supporting- actress nods, in a teary-eyed assessment of her husband's extracurricular activities. Save the tape and use it in your next how-not-to-act-in-a-movie lesson.

[madbrian]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 10:36am

Well, I seldom go to the movies, but there a five newbies that had my interest. For Colored Girls, Fair Game, Megamind, Due Date, and 127 Hours. I'll cross For Colored Girls off my list, at least until video.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 10:50am

The reviews are honestly all over the map.

The film gets a big rave in the New York Times today.Very intriguing.
FOR COLORED GIRLS

[Roscoe]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 11:00am

An intriguing review:




Real Colored Girls Are Offended And Bored

Posted: 11/5/10 at 11:05am

I can't WAIT to hear Medea rip into that poetry!

[trentsketch]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 11:39am

This is a really interesting situation with the film. The bad reviews are almost all saying that it is the production design--sets, lighting, etc.--that bring the film down, with some also commenting on Perry focusing on tragedy. You know, the tragedy that exists in the stage play? Some reviewers just seem reluctant to admit that Tyler Perry did anything right as a filmmaker.

The good reviews say it's messy but worthwhile for the performances and the beautiful dramatic poetry. All the actors have received rave reviews and scathing reviews. Even Perry is receiving some raves. In other words, it's a highly polarizing, highly theatrical film that was never, ever going to hit it off with mainstream film critics. I think I'm seeing it in theaters now.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 11:52am

Yay! I have been craving another poorly made, reactionary, sanctimonious, anti-sex Tyler Perry joint for so long!

Posted: 11/5/10 at 11:58am

Doesn't anyone ever get bothered by the fact that in Tyler Perry's world, the only wise black women are men?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 12:27pm

I don't care what anyone says. It's got Thandie in it. She could be in a snuff film and I'd go see it.

[Brick]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 12:48pm

That NY Times review spent 3 paragraphs defending Perry and his (awful, though popular) films. And I didn't hear one piece of defense that actually answered why his films are so clunky and contrite. I'm sorry, because he comes from the "chitlin' circuit"? I don't care. No one gives musical movies, comic books, or any other adaptation genre a break when they are terrible films. Why should any bar be lowered for him?

[Edna Turnblad]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 10:49pm

Granted, I didn't read the entire reviews, but on Rotten Tomatoes, the several of the top critics who didn't like it seemed to think, based on the excerpts that I read, that the film was bad because it drew so heavily from the play. For me that's what makes a good adaptation. I wonder if that means they just don't like the play.

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 11:45pm

I like his films. They are much better than his plays. The problem is he has a "formula" that he doesn't really stray away from. I saw a clip of Janet and wasn't really impressed. Her tirade in "Why Did I Get Married Too" was impressive though.

I was afraid he wasn't going to do this piece justice. But I won't pass judgement until I see it.

[Brick]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 12:00am

No, most of the reviews I'm reading that don't like it complain Perry didn't find a way to make the poetic language work. His film goes back and forth from contemporary melodrama and the poetic monologues. I don't see this as being a NINE situation, where critics are ignorant of the piece and don't see how the film isn't representing the material well. In fact, I'm surprised by the number of critics who are quite knowledgeable of the play, and some even the original production.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/7/10 at 1:24pm

I saw it this morning and have to say that I found it to be an absolutely incredible film. If I didn't know Perry had directed it, I never would have guessed, it really is a departure from his previous films, but that has a lot to do with the source material. I personally enjoyed the use of monologue and how it was done here, but I definitely can see how it would turn some people off. I looked at it the same way as if it were a musical. These women take a break from everyday language to say what they need to in the only way they can at that moment, exactly as if it were song.

The performances were all 100% top notch but special attention must be paid to Kimberly Elise who for years now has shown what a versatile and brilliant actress she is. I hope that even though these reviews haven't been too kind, her performance is remembered come awards season because she truly deserves it. Even Janet Jackson turns in a heartbreaking performance, something Perry hasn't really let her latest films with him (and her only films).

I guess this will just be another one of those movies that I love and everyone else hates. But there's a long list of those... :)

[TBone]

Posted: 11/7/10 at 1:58pm

I saw the film yesterday afternoon and agree with Jordan 100%. Especially about Kimberly Elise... just incredible.

[BroadwayBound17]

Posted: 11/7/10 at 4:15pm

The film was completely beautiful. It kept my father (who definitely has a problem with falling asleep in movies) awake the entire time. Despite the fact that my father and I were the only white boys in the entire cinema in a sold out movie, it was breathless. That wasn't supposed to be racist, just kind of funny in my book.

Go see it, you'll love it. Completely oscar worthy material and made me feel as if I have my life wasn't so bad. The characters are SO easy to relate to. And if you can't relate to one character, you know someone who could relate to that character.

This is a beautiful movie that I personally feel will be recognized for years as a true classic.

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/7/10 at 5:03pm

Kimberly Elise just rocks. Period.

Updated On: 11/7/10 at 05:03 PM

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 11/7/10 at 6:12pm

Regardless of some of the terrible reviews, I am still excited to see this film.....Most of the time I dont agree with the reviews I read anyhow.