For Colored Girls

Rare is the opportunity for me to see a movie the very weekend that it comes out but I got to see this one. I had a date night with my husband. We went to see Tyler Perry's latest production, For Colored Girls. The movie was an adaptation of Ntozake Shange's, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, written in 1975. It was also a Broadway production in 1976. The subject matter was critically acclaimed and extremely successful in terms of its relevant content.


I read the book years ago, so I knew that the subject matter was deeply intense. I wondered how it would translate into film, especially at the hands of Tyler Perry. I like Tyler but I know I've said it before, the endings of his movies leave much to be desired. Seeing how he did not write this film, I was a bit excited. By all accounts, he put together a varied but talented cast to pull the movie off. The cast consisted of old and new actresses, male and females in various hues. Most importantly, he did not pen the film.


I liked the movie. It deals with some dark issues, so if you are looking to laugh, there will be few of those. Each woman in the film has an issue that she is dealing with and she also has a color assigned(for lack of a better word) to her. In each case, there is a man involved, some visible, some not. The story is still relevant today just in a different way. You do have to pay attention to the poetry which is weaved into the dialogue. It is done in an appropriate manner and it also clarifies some of the things going on in the film. SN: There were two women who exited the theater at the same time we did and were complaining about the use of poetry. I wanted to scream at their ignorance! The book itself is composed of poetry and prose so that is a no brainer! Let me reiterate that exposure is EVERYTHING!!!


I am not going to give aspects of the film away. I would encourage you to check out the book which is only about 80 pages in length so the movie really makes sense to you. If you don't read it, pay attention to the dialogue, especially when it switches to poetry. I am at odds with the fact that Janet Jackson's name appeared first in the opening of the film. Everyone else in the film was placed in alphabetical order. Is she supposed to be the star? I certainly don't think she is an actress of that caliber, nor do I think she deserved to be billed over  most of the seasoned actresses. (Y'all know TP must be hitting that A$$). Her acting was mediocre at best. Her over done red lipstick was killing me.


Some of the story lines are easier to follow than others. Others are also more captivating and easier to translate to film. For example, Whoopi's storyline is only made clear by listening to her argument with her daughter, played by Thandie Newton. I kept having Celie flashbacks during her monologue. If there is to be any discussion of awards, hands down, I think it should go to Kimberly Elise, followed by Anika Noni Rose. I had a discussion with my cousin about this and she disagreed but mainly because the movie felt choppy. After I explained why, she was in agreement with my assessment. Kimberly Elise has the most comprehensive role when you consider all that she is dealing with in the movie and she plays the complexities of the role quite flawlessly. I have long said that she is one of the most under-rated actresses of our time. Anika Noni Rose's performance is also spot on. It is her monologue which is painstakingly delivered to Hill Harper(who seems a bit aloof) which makes me realize that she has talent that we've not even begun to see. Macy Gray has a small role in the film, but it seems as if the role is tailor made for her. She has a knack for the offbeat, quirky, and dramatic. She doesn't disappoint.

I am not saying that the remaining actresses don't act well. For the most part they do. Loretta Devine's role is probably one of the lightest in the film and she delivers in making you laugh but still gives you something to think about(Take back your stuff!). Tessa Thompson, is a newcomer. I'd like to see where she will go from here. Thandie Newton has a varied resume so to me she was the wild card for the film. While tortured, her role might have been the most fun to execute. Phylicia Rashad paid a nosy matronly old bitty who holds things together. Do we expect anything less from Claire Huxtable? I think not. Kerry Washington is one of my favorites, unfortunately, I wasn't really feeling her in this role. Her relationship with Hill Harper doesn't come off as believable to me and her emotions don't ring true with what she is enduring through the film. What I do appreciate is how Tyler Perry connected all the women because you do start out wondering how they will all end up together. It is not a tidy neat little package but pain hurt, depression, and drama that draws the women in this story together.

So that is my generic take on the film. I want you to see it and share your opinion. I don't want to give away the film. I know many of my readers and I know they haven't yet had the opportunity to see the film. I am going to see it again with my girl, Sonja. I am sure she will have a wealth of opinions for me to consider that differ from my own. I hate when people ruin the good(or not so good stuff) for me so, I am holding back. Holla at me and tell me what you think. Are there going to be awards? for whom? Did Tyler Perry do justice to the film? I love a good debate or another train of thought. Till next time, think about the women in your life. They have all been through or will g through some drama in life that just might take them to the thought of suicide. Let's pray that there is a support system to draw them back and whisper new life into their situation!

Copyright by Pamela Cole Thorpe on November 11, 2010