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"DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN" (2005) (Kimberly Elise, Steve Harris) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Heavy Minor Extreme Mild Heavy Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Mild None Minor *Minor Moderate Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Heavy Mild Extreme Heavy Heavy QUICK TAKE: Drama/Comedy: A woman tries to come to grips with the fact that her husband of eighteen years has just kicked her out of the house for another woman and wants a divorce. PLOT: Helen McCarter (KIMBERLY ELISE) would seem to have it all -- a huge house, an even bigger bank account, and a successful lawyer for a husband in the form of Charles (STEVE HARRIS). Yet, despite their appearances and 18-year marriage, he treats her like dirt in private and has fathered several children with Brenda (LISA MARCOS), his lover of the past several years. Helen suspected but is still shocked by this, but not as much as when Charles kicks her out of the house and wants a divorce. Since she signed a pre-nup that leaves her nothing and he alienated her from her friends and family over the years, she has nowhere to go, much to the concern of Orlando (SHEMAR MOORE) who's been hired to transport her and her belongings wherever she wishes. Upset over what's occurred, Helen sees the amiable Orlando like any other self-centered man and makes him leave. Desperate for a place to stay, she arrives on the ghetto doorstep of her gun-toting and highly opinionated grandmother Madea (TYLER PERRY) who allows her "dirty old man" brother Joe (TYLER PERRY) to live with her. Madea forcibly confronts Charles in his home, wanting revenge on him, but ends up jailed and then under house arrest. Helen tries to get her life back in order, all while dealing with her conflicting feelings toward Charles who has his own problems when a former acquaintance, Jamison Jackson (GARY STURGIS), orders Charles to defend him in court regarding his arrest for shooting an undercover cop. Those aren't the only family issues, as Helen's sister Debrah (TAMARA TAYLOR) is a junkie who's been kicked out by her husband, Brian (TYLER PERRY), for putting him and daughter Tiffany (TIFFANY EVANS) through so much. With the advice from her nursing home resident mom, Myrtle (CICELY TYSON), as well as Madea, Helen tries to figure out what to do, a choice that becomes more complicated when she starts falling for none other than Brian's friend, Orlando. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? Unless they're fans of someone in the cast, it doesn't seem too likely. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For drug content, thematic elements, crude sexual references and some violence. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: KIMBERLY ELISE plays a married woman who's shocked when her husband leaves her for another woman and orders her out of their house. She must contend with her conflicting feelings toward him, as well as her awakened ones toward Orlando (with whom she may have sex). She drinks some. STEVE HARRIS plays her highly successful defense lawyer husband who's nice to her in public, but treats her like dirt in private, including having a long-running affair where he's fathered several kids with another woman. He kicks her out of their house and wants a divorce, but eventually changes his ways when he needs her help. SHEMAR MOORE plays a decent and caring man who initially clashes with Helen, but ends up falling for her (and may have sex with her). TAMARA TAYLOR plays Helen's sister, a former singer turned junkie who no longer lives with her family. LISA MARCOS plays Charles's snooty lover and mother of his children who looks down on Helen, but abandons Charles after his troubles begin. TYLER PERRY plays Helen's highly opinionated grandmother who takes her in and wants her to get revenge on Charles. She uses some profanity, smokes and wields a handgun on various occasions. TYLER PERRY also plays Madea's lecherous brother who lives in her house and comes on to various women in a "dirty old man" fashion. TYLER PERRY also plays Helen's brother-in-law who's all but given up on Debrah, his junkie wife. GARY STURGIS plays a thug who wants Charles to get him off of charges for killing an undercover cop. He threatens Charles if he doesn't take his case and then later gets violent with him. TIFFANY EVANS plays Debrah's daughter who wants to join the church choir, but must contend with her father who doesn't want her to follow her mom's footsteps from music to drug use. CICELY TYSON plays Helen's mother who lives in a nursing home and gives her daughter some advice about life and love. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this dramedy that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of a large number of mild expletives (the majority being 45 "hells"), while other such words and colorful phrases are uttered. Some sexually related dialogue is present (including from a lecherous old man toward various women); a couple is seen making out several times and sex is somewhat implied between them. Violence includes a suspect shooting his lawyer several times (no blood), leaving him paralyzed, and that injured man's angry wife later nearly allows him to drown in the bathtub into which she's just dumped him. A few other moments of domestic violence are also present and some of those scenes may be unsettling or suspenseful to some viewers. That material, the main couple's pending divorce and another couple having severe marital problems leads to various tense family scenes, while various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes. Some characters drink and/or smoke, while a few smoke pot and one is noted as being a junkie (although no related use is seen with her). Some imitative behavior is present, a grandmother occasionally sports a handgun and an old man briefly farts. Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Miscellaneous people have drinks at a reception. Helen drinks some wine and then finishes off the bottle (while upset at her husband having an affair). Madea tells Helen (who's just shown up on her doorstep) that only crack heads come around there and then wonders if Helen is "on the stuff" (she's not). We hear that Debrah spiraled out of control (and became a drug addict) when Helen moved away and broke off all contact with the family (due to Charles). Joe smokes a joint and an older woman wants a hit. He reminds her that the last time she had some, they had to call the rescue squad due to her mixing pot with lithium. Joe then offers the joint to another guy who declines it. We later see that older woman smoking a joint with Joe, and then becoming and acting paranoid from it. Referring to Deborah, Brian says, "The mother of my kids is a junkie." Charles' former acquaintance says that he ran so much coke for Charles in the past that he paid for his house. Helen has wine, as do some miscellaneous people. Some miscellaneous people have wine. After Orlando says he'll pay for an expensive meal with Helen, she says she doesn't hang with drug dealers (she's mistaken, as he's not that). Miscellaneous people have drinks in a club where Helen has one and Orlando has a beer. Madea tells Brian that just because music led Debrah to drugs doesn't mean it will do the same for his daughter. Orlando and Helen have wine. Helen has some wine. Miscellaneous people have wine. We see Debrah entering a rehab center. We see footage of Joe smoking some pot and asking another guy if he wants some (similar to an above scene). BLOOD/GORE Joe farts. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Charles treats Helen like dirt, is having an affair (and has children from that several year relationship), forcibly removes her from their house and wants to divorce her (knowing she'll get nothing due to the pre-nup she signed). He's even mean to her (at least for a while) when she's the only person who will care for him after he ends up paralyzed. While shocked and upset about Charles kicking her out of the house, Helen is mean toward Orlando who's been hired to move her and her belongings. Helen tells Madea that she hadn't told her that Charles hits her. After being kicked out of their home, Helen returns and tries to steal money from him while he's not there. Charles has a former acquaintance who wants Charles to get him off the charges that he shot an undercover cop (including wanting him to bribe the judge). Joe tells Madea (his sister) that she's huge and big (referring to her size/weight). A suspect (who's just been found guilty in court) grabs a handgun and shoots his attorney several times (we don't see the impact or any blood). Brenda has a bad attitude about Charles once he's disabled, and then leaves him. Despite him having just proposed to her, Helen blows off Orlando for at least three weeks (while caring for and getting her revenge on Charles). Helen pulls out her signed divorce papers as well as her wedding ring to give to Charles (all in front of her family at dinner -- to make him feel bad). FRIGHTENING SCENES Charles physically drags Helen (who's hysterical) out of their house. A suspect (who's just been found guilty in court) grabs a handgun and shoots his attorney several times (we don't see the impact or any blood). Mad at the way he has and still treats her, Helen violently dumps Charles from his wheelchair into a filled bathtub where his head barely floats above the surface before sinking below it. She waits for a moment before pulling him up. Later, she doesn't feed him as a means of torture. GUNS/WEAPONS Madea answers the door with her handgun drawn. Madea fires a shot from her handgun into the ceiling to make Joe move to another part of the house. Madea cocks her handgun in her handbag to make Joe be quiet. A suspect (who's just been found guilty in court) grabs a handgun and shoots his attorney several times (we don't see the impact or any blood). Madea occasionally pulls out her handgun for show. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "Get the hell out of my car," "What the hell they got me into," "You go to hell," "Shut the hell up," "Crazy as hell," "(Oh) Hell no," "What the hell /is wrong with you/you doing/is your problem?" "Floozy," "Ho" (whore), "Call the po-po ho" (call the police, whore), "Bastard," "You're crazy as hell," "Mad as hell," "Fool," "You're nasty as hell," "You're sad as hell," "Beat the hell out of him," "Slut" and "Lord have mercy." Madea fires a shot from her handgun into the ceiling to make Joe move to another part of the house. Madea runs a chainsaw down through Charles' sofa. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) A tiny bit of suspenseful music plays in one scene. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) Some viewers may not like lyrics in a song that include "What if God was one of us...Just a slob like one of us?" PROFANITY At least 45 hells, 3 damns, 1 ass, 4 uses each of "Lord," "Lord have mercy" and "Oh my God" and 2 uses of "Jesus." SEX/NUDITY Helen shows some cleavage in various scenes. Brenda shows some cleavage in her short, tight dress. About their pending divorce, Charles tells Helen that he hasn't touched her in years. Madea asks Helen about her marriage to Charles, wondering if she's having sex with him when he wanted. Helen says yes, Madea asks if it was good and Helen says no. We see that Joe is reading a girlie magazine ("I Love the Breast") hidden in the newspaper with a photo of a clothed woman on the cover. He then tells Helen (who's not a blood relative) that he has a job for her, "As soon as I get some Vaseline." He then stares at her clothed butt. Referring to Charles, Helen says that he was her first and only (possibly referring to sex, or maybe just love). After Brian tells his druggie wife to leave, she pleads to stay, and says that she can make him feel good and then asks, "Don't you want to feel good?" Orlando does some playful and clothed kissing on Helen in a montage. Joe states that one can't turn a "ho" (whore) into a housewife, adding that he tried it. Orland and Helen do some passionate kissing. We then hear her narration that although they both wanted to make love, he gave her something better (intimacy rather than sex). Orlando and Helen do some kissing on a bed while clothed. We later see that they've slept together, but we don't know if they had sex. Joe lustfully tells Helen's mom that he has some Viagra, prompting her to reply that she has some Mace. After Myrtle tells Helen it's not wise to open a new door before closing another one (referring to relationships), Joe lustfully asks if he can get her to open the "door" for him (adding "Knock, knock, open up"). Orlando and Helen do some brief and clothed, passionate kissing. Joe watches an exercise show on TV where he gets worked up over the cleavage displayed, and rhythmic pelvic lifts done by the women (he eventually needs oxygen). We see an outtake of Madea telling Charles "You must feel this big" (while holding her fingers apart an inch or so), and then jokingly adds that Helen told her he was that big (referring to genital size). SMOKING Helen smokes twice, while Madea and Orlando each smoke once (and Madea makes a comment about attending church when they have a smoking section). TENSE FAMILY SCENES Helen informs us (via voice-over narration) that looks can be deceiving (referring to her marriage). She states that some days are good, while on others she doesn't think Charles cares. She adds that with every dime and legal case, he's changed. Charles informs Helen that he has to go to the office late at night on their anniversary. Helen asks who she is (meaning his lover) and what she needs to do to make him happy. In turn, he curtly replies, "Get the hell out of my car" (she does and is shocked). About their pending divorce, Charles tells Helen that he hasn't touched her in years. Charles tells Helen that their marriage is over and that she's leaving (meaning he's kicking her out). Helen states that Charles alienated her from her family over the years and that she has no place to go after he kicks her out of their house. We hear that Debrah spiraled out of control (and became a drug addict) when Helen moved away and broke off all contact with the family (due to Charles). Referring to Deborah, Brian says, "The mother of my kids is a junkie." Helen visits her mom who lives in a nursing home. Brian feeds his druggie wife, but isn't happy that she's dropped by, and tells her that she's put him and their kids through enough. Helen lets Charles keep all of his money in their divorce proceedings. We see a brief flashback scene of Charles attacking Helen. Helen mentions having miscarriages in the past. Helen pulls out her signed divorce papers as well as her wedding ring to give to Charles (all in front of her family at dinner -- to make him feel bad). TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT Affairs. Divorces. Being paralyzed. Forgiveness. Myrtle tells Helen that she (Helen) has to forgive Charles, not for him, but for her (Helen). Drug addicts. The comment that looks can be deceiving. Helen tells Orlando that all men are alike and only looking out for themselves. Helen tells Madea that she hadn't told her that Charles hits her. Madea is put under house arrest after attacking Charles' place. Orlando tells Helen that she's just another bitter black woman, with her replying that she's not bitter, but instead is "mad as hell." Helen mentions having miscarriages in the past. The comment that God has the power to show us who is God. VIOLENCE Charles physically drags Helen (who's hysterical) out of their house. Madea drives through the security gate at Charles' house (played for comedy). Madea has Helen rip and thrash Brenda's clothes as a bit of therapy (played for comedy). Charles grabs Helen while mad at her. Madea runs a chainsaw down through Charles' sofa. Helen throws her beverage into Orlando's face while mad at him. A suspect (who's just been found guilty in court) grabs a handgun and shoots his attorney several times (we don't see the impact or any blood, but it leaves him paralyzed). We see a brief flashback scene of Charles attacking Helen. Helen backhands Charles (who's now paralyzed), breaks a photo and then rubs that on his face and stuffs it into his mouth. Mad at the way he has and still treats her, Helen violently dumps Charles from his wheelchair into a filled bathtub where his head barely floats above the surface before sinking below it. She waits for a moment before pulling him up. Later, she doesn't feed him as a means of torture. Reviewed February 7, 2005 / Posted February 25, 2005

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