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Friday, September 4, 2009

When Tyler Perry Is Considered....


Okay, naturally like everybody else I was totally and completely horrified when I first heard the news that Tyler Perry was chosen by Lionsgate to write, produce, and direct the classic play, "Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf" (I'm sure they'll shorten that title). I mean, WTF?

But then, after further reflection, I decided to keep a Zen attitude about it until the finished product....I mean, we've been bitchin' and moanin' (some of us, anyway) since I first started blogging about how mediocre Perry's scope of limited filmmaking is....he had a formula, followed it, then moved on to the next one in his factory line.

But maybe this is his chance to show there really is something else there, without him having the pressure of having to actually create the material himself. In my opinion, the Spike Lee films that I usually enjoy the most he did not write, and he definitely owns the film when all is said and done---maybe Tyler can do that as well. We should at least give him a chance and try to stay positive about it, no matter how great the initial disappointment.

On another note, speaking of Tyler and Spike, this project and Lee's "Passing Strange" lends a little gravity to the thoughts I've had for using on-stage media for film source, yes?

UPDATE: Hmmmm, maybe I spoke too soon...this from a commentor on Shadow And Act in response to a reader who wanted to start an online petition:

[NothingButAMan] – I TOTALLY support your idea of an on-line petition!! Being a former “Hollywood” girl I have great insight to this tragic situation. Stewart, who is an AMAZING talent, had been working solo on the project for the past 4 years (wrote script, secured rights, gained A-list talent, etc) only to have it stolen in a moments notice when she introduced the project to Perry who was only to exec produce. Sooooo- do you want me to start the petition or you? Another example of BLACK ON BLACK crime – this has to stop!!!!

From IW: Wow. Tyler is surely stepping in it....he might have bitten off more than he can chew. This from one of my loyal readers Ms. Lady Deborah:

IW,

I am going to try and keep an open mind until after I see the film.

For Colored Girls was one of the most important pieces of art for women of my generation. That was us up on that stage, talking like we did when we were hanging out with each other. Saying things that often we not spoken out loud during our young days of womanhood.

Those brothers coming from Nam, they were the men we were building relationships with and often paying devastating costs for doing so. Our anger, our joy and our love was/is right there.

It caused quite a bit of friction within the Black community. I remember when it played in my hometown, the brothers were all laughing and feeling the first part of the choreopoem-until the rough subjects like rape, violence and negative views starting being presented. Those moments caused many men to become outraged and declare that it was male bashing. But, we fought back in defense of what was said, because so many of us had lived those moments in our personal stories. Even though many of our men and families did not want to acknowledge that as a matter of fact.

I hope that Tyler realizes if he does not handle this material in a proper manner-he is going to catch the blues from multiple generations of sistas.

For Colored Girls is now a classical work of theatre. He'd better step real correct! I want to hear our voice and the voices of our younger sistas in a manner that I understand.


IW: Like Bernie Mac said in "The Player's Club": "they's gonna be trooouubbbllllee...."

11 comments:

Keli said...

I have to admit I've never read the book but I think its time I did before seeing the film. I think we should be fair and unbiased going into the movie...and appreciate that Tyler Perry is telling our stories...even if one dimensional. We have to start somewhere...

Cowgirl in the sand said...

I hope to god he doesn't screw it up.

Cowgirl in the sand said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I think we should support Tyler Perry on this one who knows he may surprise us.I'm not a fan of all of his work but he has a few stand outs "Why Did I Get Married" being one.

msladyDeborah said...

IW,

I am going to try and keep an open mind until after I see the film.

For Colored Girls was one of the most important pieces of art for women of my generation. That was us up on that stage, talking like we did when we were hanging out with each other. Saying things that often we not spoken out loud during our young days of womanhood.

Those brothers coming from Nam, they were the men we were building relationships with and often paying devastating costs for doing so. Our anger, our joy and our love was/is right there.

It caused quite a bit of friction within the Black community. I remember when it played in my hometown, the brothers were all laughing and feeling the first part of the choreopoem-until the rough subjects like rape, violence and negative views starting being presented. Those moments caused many men to become outraged and declare that it was male bashing. But, we fought back in defense of what was said, because so many of us had lived those moments in our personal stories. Even though many of our men and families did not want to acknowledge that as a matter of fact.

I hope that Tyler realizes if he does not handle this material in a proper manner-he is going to catch the blues from multiple generations of sistas.

For Colored Girls is now a classical work of theatre. He'd better step real correct! I want to hear our voice and the voices of our younger sistas in a manner that I understand.

Marvalus said...

I am going to play devil's advocate for a moment and say:

If Ms. Stewart has been working on this for 4 YEARS and it did not come to fruition, maybe it wasn't stolen...maybe it took Tyler putting his name on it for it to get the green light. We are on the outside looking in and what looks to be to us may not be the true story. Who else in HollyHell has the pull that Tyler has to get this film to screen? And can film it IN HIS OWN STUDIO!!??

clnmike said...

This may not be that bad, he is basically doing some one elses work. The only way he can screw this up is by changing it or screwing up technical wise.

Anonymous said...

I am by no means a TP fan or supporter, However this may be a watershed moment and project for him.

If he pulls it off then it means that he grew and reached a deeper level, and therefore has a understanding of cinema & art.

If he fails then it will confirm what many people already think, that he is a Chitlin' Circuit playwright, who became a Chitlin' Circuit movie director and producer.

Wonder Man said...

I hope he's not touching this story

SimzBrazil said...

What in the hell made Tyler Perry think he could pull this adaptation off? Especially since Nzhinga already had so much invested in it. I seriously cant imagine him stealing such a gritty play and thinking "oh this will be a breeze." He must know his own faults right?

Unknown said...

~smh~
I have had a love/hate relationship with Tyler and his movies for a while, hating and defending all at the same time. He has been stuck in the same old formula and for him it works but educated minds need more.
I, like Ms. Lady Deb, am trying to keep an open mind until the product is finished but darn -Beyonce...
~smh~