Actor/director/producer/writer Tyler Perry is in all measurable ways a success. The Atlanta-based Perry went from homeless to Hollywood with his gospel-influenced stage plays and then moved into movies and TV. But, like many successful people, he has critics. Industry veterans like Spike Lee and increasingly, some viewers, find his work stereotypical and his shows banal. This year, Perry took on a new challenge – appearing as fictional detective Alex Cross in the movie of the same title, out October 19th. (See trailer below.) This will be one of the few times in his career that Perry is not writer, director nor producer – instead he’s the hired talent. On more familiar ground, he also signed a deal with BFF Oprah to create the first scripted show for her network, OWN. While we give props to the man for going beyond his comfort level, we applaud some of the things Perry’s already done well. Here’s a list of the best of Perry’s work thus far.
DADDYS LITTLE GIRLS (2007)
It’s not a perfect movie, but the fact that it stars Idris Elba is a plus. The lonely, stuck-up career woman that Gabrielle Union plays is a trite Black movie stereotype and Tosha Smith’s character is so beyond rachet she’s unbelievable. So what do we love about this movie? Well, for one, we love the idea that it centers around a blue collar dad, Monty James, played by Elba, who wants to take care of his children. That his kids are the super cute McClain sisters only makes it more endearing. The lasting message – that there are fathers that want to be a significant presence in their children’s lives despite the breakdown of the relationship with their mother, is one that viewers connected to. That Perry can take an important message about fatherhood and make it part of an entertainment vehicle probably did more to advance paternal responsibility than a thousand pulpit speeches. And that, we can appreciate.
PRECIOUS (2009)
Perry was among the big name producers that got behind the film directed by Lee Daniels and adapted for the screen by Geoffrey S. Fletcher, both African-American. Perry’s buddy, Oprah Winfrey, was the other big-name producer. Based on “Push” the novel by Sapphire, “Precious” told a difficult story of an obese African-American girl being abused by both her parents. Despite its dark storyline, the movie was received well and earned Oscars for both Fletcher (for Best Adapted Screenplay) and Mo’Nique (Best Supporting Actress.) By supporting the work of talented African-American artists, Perry continues to develop talent that can blossom inside and outside his orbit.
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article courtesy of BlackAmericaWeb.com
