The Diary of a Mad Black Woman is a 2005 romantic comedy drama movie written by Tyler Perry. It is a movie about a couple, Charles McCarter and Helen McCarter. After 18 years of marriage, Helen is thrown out of her matrimonial home by her husband and replaced by Brenda his mistress who is younger than Helen. Helen is forced to move in with her grandmother Madea where she tries to reconstruct her life and she meets Orlando. At first, she is not sure if she can ever love again but through her relationship with God, she is able to forgive Charles of his deception and adultery and she is able to fall in love again. In the end of the movie, she rejects Charles’ offer to mend their differences and renew their marriage and accepts Orlando’s marriage proposal. This is a movie where many people can relate with as it deals with experiences that happens in the current society. It is a movie where one can learn to deal with divorce matters through forgiveness and finding happiness.
Opponents of the Tyler Perry’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman argue that, the character Madea represents a degraded view of black dignity and feminity. They claim that, Madea seems dangerous and violent in the movie presenting the black woman as violent and she sets the African-American society back in the 20s. Moreover, they argue that she is not only an insult to black dignity but also to humanity through her vulgar words and actions. She calls Charles’ mistress a hoe without thinking twice. On the other hand, what they do not consider is the good things she did in the movie. Madea represents a black granny who settles for nothing else other than respect, fair treatment and consideration. She is just like any other no nonsense granny found anywhere that does not want anyone to mess up with her. Madea plays good roles in the movie where we see her feeding her drug addict daughter in law and this is an act that many people cannot do. Additionally, she urges her son to forgive his drug addict wife and reconcile with her. Besides, she also provides shelter for her grand daughter and her sick brother and this are traits that people should see about her in the movie rather than only seeing her bad side. Furthermore, Madea is an inspiration to the family as she advises them on relationships and marriage issues and how to handle them through her words of wisdom and she hosts all family gatherings in her home.
Another thing that the opponents should consider is that Helen as a woman demonstrates good morals of African women despite the fact that her husband divorced her and kicked her out of the house. She even still cared for Charles after he is almost killed in spite of his deception. Charles also depicts how men are a disgrace to the African community. He kicks his wife out of her matrimonial home just to replace her with a younger woman who is her mistress who does not even care about him. This is seen where she runs away after Charles is almost killed. Charles depicts a bad picture of African men who plays dirty to get on top of their profession. He displays the arrogant characters of men.
The supporters of the movie argue that, even though Madea is tough and harsh in the movie, she represents a character worth watching in the movie. Madea represents many African women who are strict and takes no nonsense. Most of the African women get rough and hard to deal with but they are endearing too just like Madea. Many women can learn to do the good things she did like giving shelter to those who dint have and also giving advice to family members. The movie shows events that happens in people’s everyday’s lives especially women. As many people would want to dislike the movie arguing that is gives a bad picture of the African woman, it is a movie that many African women can identify with.
Through Helen’s life, black women who have problems undergoing divorce can make it. Helen was able to love again after a messy divorce and mistreatment from her husband Charles. She strengthened her relationship with God and was able to forgive Charles. Many women undergoing divorce can identify with her and they will be able to forgive and find happiness like she did.
Having said these, the movie Diary of a Mad Black Woman is an empowering movie to women. It is a must watch movie especially for women undergoing divorce and are unable to forgive their partners. Women undergoing emotional relationships/ divorce, physical or emotional stress and those who want to be independent after failed marriages should learn from Helen and how she handled her situation. What is more, it is a good movie for those who need to find love after lost love and are in search of ways to improve their faith in order to be able to love again. Tyler Perry’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman also relates with people who have loved ones who are drug addicts and shows them that they should be cared for. All the characters in this movie present some form of humanity and it depicts people’s characters in the society. It is a movie that so many people can relate with.
Work Cited
Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Dir. Darren Grant. Perf. Kimberly Else, Steve Harris, Shemar Moore, Tamara Taylor, Tiffany Evans, Cicely Tyson, Tyler Perry. Lionsgate, 2005. DVD.
