Southwestern College Collegian

Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: Movie Review

If you haven't met them yet, I encourage you to 'Meet the Browns.' Tyler Perry's newest stage play turned motion picture has his usual ingredients of family, hardship, and laughter. Something about this mixture makes it one of his best works. The story begins with single mother of three, Brenda, in a Chicago housing project finding out her estranged father died and getting news she would soon face a layoff from her factory job. Brenda's struggle continues when her son, a basketball phenomenon, begins selling drugs to help the family's finances. There is more to the story but I don't want to ruin it. So I'll just say, someone gets shot, someone falls in love, and some people live happily ever after. As for the Browns, Perry has once again created a group of people we all can relate to. And if you choke on your popcorn thinking about your crazy aunts and uncles, don't say I didn't warn you. One of the best scenes is the family sitting around the table discussing their father in relationship to Brenda, as only one of her siblings, brother L. B., is aware of her kinship. When the question of her relation finally arises the group faces the fact their daddy was a pimp, as L.B describes. I can't hold it in. Brenda's son is being recruited to play basketball by Lakers talent Rick Fox. He gets shot trying to hustle around the same time he realizes selling drugs isn't the life for him. Fox becomes Brenda's love interest when the trip to her father's funeral finds them in the same small Georgia town. Pop Brown leaves Brenda a 'ghetto' rental house, but who really wants to move into such a structure? Well I guess you do what you have to when you have no money right? Wrong. In Perry's drama, despite the odds, you always win. The horrid house becomes a beautiful castle fit for a queen and her three children. Prince charming, Fox, is even along for the ride. As the biggest critic of all Perry movies I will say this, I hate his approach to the story. If you're a thinker like me you will find yourself fighting the urge to be disappointed, but you just have to remind yourself it's a Tyler Perry movie and you can be lazy. There is no suspense and no real cliff hanger because his characters always win. On the other hand, he writes amazing characters. Although they are not extremely complex, each Brown has its own realistic personality and the cast brings it to the screen stunningly. The movie even gives Fox a chance to shine as an acting talent on screen, and he is no disappointment. For a while there I thought Madea was his only comedic personality, but David Mann as LeRoy Brown will bring you to your knees with his crazy clothes and southern ways. Look out for LeRoy's three hour sermon and choir direction at the funeral. Like eating Sunday dinner at Grandma's house and having a side of family gossip for dessert, this film has flavor. Ashley Holloway is a senior majoring in communication. You may e-mail her at ashley.holloway@sckans.edu.

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