Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Woman, let loose: Grandma nearly upstages the Mad Black Woman

By Mike Prevatt

From a distance, it's hard to peg the star of Diary of a Mad Black Woman. In one trailer, it's a comedy featuring what appears to be the gun-wielding, African-American equivalent of Mrs. Doubtfire. In another, it's a drama about a thirtysomething black woman trying to empower herself--which also includes the glock-sporting tranny granny.

In making the film adaptation of Tyler Perry's 2000 stage production, the Atlanta playwright and former music video director Darren Grant seem to be aiming for the approval of every demographic within the African American moviegoing constituency, as if to broaden the project's appeal. From ghetto yucks and bling worship to community barbecues and soul-saving church rave-ups, Diary neglects no Southern black cultural or social institution. Nor does it sidestep its stereotypes; surely this oft-misrepresented community stands for more than crass seniors, egocentric men and dependent women.

However, beyond the typecasting is a film not without its bright spots. If Diary is about anything, or anyone for that matter, it's the redemption of lost souls through love, God and self-will. In particular, it's the story of Helen (Kimberly Elise, The Manchurian Candidate), who, after being thrown out of her marriage by her bad-boy husband (Steve Harris, "The Practice"), seeks strength in herself, her faith and her doting new boyfriend (Shemar Moore, The Brothers) to rebuild her life.

Though weak subplots and trite dialogue roughen the narrative, Helen's journey is a compelling one--mostly due to Elise, who also carried the equally evangelical and vaguely feminist Woman, Thou Art Loosed. However, she's nearly upstaged by Perry, who dons the drag for the attitudinal Grandma Madea (as well as taking on two other roles). Madea may be a lure for the drama-phobic, but her secular comic relief is welcome in light of the film's crushing earnestness. Too bad she didn't keep the diary.--Mike Prevatt