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"MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION" (2006) (Tyler Perry, Rochelle Aytes) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Moderate Minor Extreme Moderate None Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Mild Minor Mild Mild Moderate Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Moderate None Heavy Heavy Moderate QUICK TAKE: Dramedy: Two sisters try to decide upon their romantic futures all while getting advice from their outspoken aunt. PLOT: Half-sisters Lisa (ROCHELLE AYTES) and Vanessa (LISA ARRINDELL ANDERSON) are at different stages in their romantic lives. Much to the delight of their domineering mother, Victoria (LYNN WHITFIELD), Lisa is engaged to investment banker Carlos (BLAIR UNDERWOOD) and seemingly lives the good life. Yet, hidden behind the faux veneer of happiness is the dirty little secret that Carlos has her under his thumb and routinely beats her for any number of trivial matters. Vanessa, on the other hand, doesn't get along with her mother and has pretty much sworn off men, instead focusing her energies on her two kids and God. Thus, when she meets bus driver and single father Frankie (BORIS KODJOE), she isn't sure how to react, although she senses he's a good guy and the two start dating. Of course, they can always seek advice from their highly opinionated, outspoken and politically incorrect aunt Madea (TYLER PERRY) who lives with her "dirty old man" brother Joe (TYLER PERRY), is proud of family lawyer Brian (TYLER PERRY), and has recently been assigned as the foster mom to teenage delinquent Nikki (KEKE PALMER). As her nieces try to decide their romantic futures, Madea prepares for the big family reunion where matriarchs May (MAYA ANGELOU) and Myrtle (CICELY TYSON) have a thing or two to say about the state of affairs in the family and world. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? If they're fans of the first Madea film ("Diary of a Mad Black Woman") or anyone in the cast, they might. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For mature thematic material, domestic violence, sex and drug references. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: TYLER PERRY plays the opinionated, outspoken and politically incorrect woman who dispenses advice and justice how she sees fit (that includes roughing up teens with bad attitudes). He also plays her lecherous and flatulent brother, as well as her granddaughter's lawyer husband. ROCHELLE AYTES plays her niece who's dominated by her mother and can't decide what to do about her physically abusive fiancé. LISA ARRINDELL ANDERSON plays her half-sister who reluctantly and cautiously enters into a relationship with Frankie (all due to issues in her past). BLAIR UNDERWOOD plays Lisa's investment banker fiancé who mentally and physically abuses her. BORIS KODJOE plays a bus driver and single father who starts dating Vanessa and has to prove that he's an okay guy who won't hurt her in any way. LYNN WHITFIELD plays Lisa and Vanessa's domineering mother who lives vicariously through Lisa (and taps into her trust fund), tries to force her to marry Carlos, and looks down on Vanessa and everything about her life. KEKE PALMER plays a teenage delinquent who gets her life in order thanks to Madea's help and advice. MAYA ANGELOU and CICELY TYSON plays family matriarchs who address their relatives about the state of the family, world and being black in it. 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 several slang terms for sex, along with a moderate number of other expletives and colorful phrases. Sexually related dialogue and one instance of song lyrics are present, and some clothed kissing occurs in bed. A male stripper removes his shirt and has a clothed woman around his waist while standing before being interrupted, some lecherous old men ogle women, including a somewhat scantly clad teen who's bending over, while various women show cleavage. Various bad attitudes are present, including a grandmother who beats up on various teens as well as a man who beats his fiancée. Those moments, including one scene where he seems ready to take her out and throw her off the balcony may be unsettling or suspenseful to some viewers (but the woman eventually gets revenge by throwing hot grits in his face and repeatedly beating him with a skillet -- played for cathartic comedy). Other tense family material includes a mother being demeaning to her adult daughter and talk of past abuses, including rape and sexual favors. Related thematic elements are present, as are several instances of crude humor. Some characters drink, while several drug references are made. 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 Vanessa, Lisa and a friend have champagne in a bucket by them and one holds a glass of some. Seeing the nice car that Brian drives, Nikki asks what sort of drugs he sells. He says he doesn't, adding that he's a lawyer, with the girl then replying that he gets the drug dealers off. Brian then comments to Madea about his wife being clean for the past 15 months. About Nikki moving in with them, Joe states that he's going to need some weed. Lisa, Carlos and another couple have wine. Vanessa has a drink and Frankie has wine in a club where others drink. Victoria says that her mom was a whore and junkie who'd trade her (sexually) for $10 and a fix. A man holds a beer at the reunion. Joe and others have beer in front of them. Carlos holds two glasses of champagne and hands one to Lisa who tentatively accepts it. BLOOD/GORE We see several large bruises on Lisa's chest, suggesting Carlos has beat her more. Crude humor includes the following: Madea sarcastically states that the only thing locked up around their home is Joe's bowels. Joe farts and then talks about that act to Frankie who he's just met. He talks about trying to hold them in (and that it will "blow your ass out") and then farts some more in Frankie's presence. Joe farts. Madea refers to Joe as a lump of nothing, with him calling her a lump of cow manure. There's more fart related material in the outtakes (from Joe). DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Carlos repeatedly intimidates and belittles Lisa, occasionally hitting her. When Lisa tells her mom that Carlos beats her (and often), Victoria tells her that she needs to stop doing whatever it is that's making him angry. She then says that women must sometimes deal with things to be comfortable in their lives. She also tells Lisa to be a good wife and do what he says, concluding that she won't then have any problems. We see that Madea is in court for having removed her house arrest bracelet (for offenses from the first film). Upon first meeting Madea, an angry Nikki says, "You're ugly anyway, old lady." Nikki won't stop popping her chewing gum in the backset and then mouths off to Madea, prompting the latter to reach around and repeatedly slap and whack the teen (we see the motion, but not the actual impact -- all played for comedy). Victoria refers to Vanessa's kids (her grandkids) as "those little bastards" and generally has a bad attitude toward Vanessa throughout the film. That includes comments about where she works, who she's dating (Frankie) and his occupation, where and how she lives (with Madea), and more. Nikki states that other kids are mean to her on the school bus, so Madea boards it and confronts the kids. One teenage boy tells her to shut up, prompting Madea to whack and hit that boy repeatedly (played for comedy). Joe jokes that others used to call Madea "wide load." Madea grabs Nikki and uses a belt to whip her clothed butt (for skipping school). Carlos glares at Lisa for yawning while out with another couple. He then grabs her leg hard under the table, makes her go out and dance with him, and says that she embarrasses him. He then says that if she's thinking of leaving him, he loves her to death and then adds that he means that. We see that Victoria is in cahoots with Carlos and that she's been tapping into Lisa's trust fund through him. She does tell him to stop beating her, but still wants the marriage to go through. Vanessa wakes up to find Frankie and their kids missing and she freaks out. When he returns from taking them for ice cream, she's furious with him until he explains what's going on. When Victoria walks in, Joe lecherously tells her to turn around so he can watch her walk out (meaning he's looking at her butt). Vanessa tells the story of when she was a girl and her mom put her in the tub, dolled her up and then let her husband (Victoria's) come in and rape her. Victoria defends this by saying that was the only way to keep him from leaving her and the kids. She adds that she did what she had to and that Vanessa was her only option. Victoria says that her mom was a whore and junkie who'd trade her (sexually) for $10 and a fix. Some teens wear midriff revealing tops and one wears small shorts that draw the attention of Joe. He then has her retrieve something to drink from an ice-filled barrel, prompting her to bend over and thus have her butt sticking out toward him and other old men who look at her lecherously (Joe even videotapes her). A wedding planner has a bad attitude toward Joe and says she can barely work with black people (despite being black herself). FRIGHTENING SCENES Carlos suddenly slaps Lisa to the floor, causing her to cry. Carlos glares at Lisa for yawning while out with another couple. He then grabs her leg hard under the table, makes her go out and dance with him, and says that she embarrasses him. He then says that if she's thinking of leaving him, he loves her to death and then adds that he means that. Lisa tries to get dressed and then out of their high-rise condo while Carlos sleeps, but he wakes up and confronts her. Despite saying he's going to get counseling, that still doesn't appease her, causing him to lose his temper. He then says that the only way she's going to leave is via the balcony (many stories up) and then grabs and drags her toward that until he makes her repeatedly say that she's staying and that she loves him. During a montage, we see Carlos grab and shake Lisa while mad at her. After Carlos slaps her quite hard, Lisa takes Madea's earlier advice and throws a hot pan of grits in his face, causing him a lot of pain. She then takes a large skillet and repeatedly hits him with it (played for cathartic laughs on the part of the film). GUNS/WEAPONS None. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "I don't believe that crap," "The hell I am," "(Oh) Hell no," "You're ugly anyway, old lady," "Whatever," "Who the hell you talking to?" "Shut (the hell) up," "Those little bastards," "You're gonna rot in Hell" (followed by the other person responding, "I vacation there"), "You need to shut up," "Shut up, old lady," "Dumb as hell," "You'll blow your ass out," "Nasty bastard," "Balls" (testicles), "A lump of nothing," "Go straight to Hell," "Are you insane?" "I've been tearing that ass up" (nonsexual), "Get the hell in the house," "He's a damn fool," "You're such a bitch" and "Rude as hell." Joe jokes that others used to call Madea "wide load." A singer has a stud between her chin and lower lip. After Carlos slaps her quite hard, Lisa takes Madea's earlier advice and throws a hot pan of grits in his face, causing him a lot of pain. She then takes a large skillet and repeatedly hits him with it (played for cathartic laughs on the part of the film). JUMP SCENES Carlos suddenly slaps Lisa to the floor, causing her to cry. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) A mild amount of ominous music plays in a few scenes. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) A song has lyrics where the man sings about wanting to get next to her, that it's hard to wait until no one else is around and then repeats a line about "till I find myself in you" (although it isn't clear if that's a metaphor or the sexual act). PROFANITY At least 2 slang terms for sex ("get some"), 21 hells, 2 asses, 2 damns, 1 crap, 6 uses of "Lord have mercy," 2 each of "Lord" and "Oh my God" and 1 use each of "Good Lord," "Good Lord Almighty" and "Oh Lord." SEX/NUDITY We see Lisa wake up in bed in some sort of one-piece lingerie that shows cleavage. She gets up and follows a trail of roses to Carlos who's arranged a bath for her. He then lowers that lingerie off her shoulders from behind her (in a head and shoulders shot so we don't see anything) and she gets into the tub (again, we don't see anything and this is presumably a dream or fantasy). Vanessa and a friend have arranged for a male stripper to perform for Lisa at her and Carlos' place. The buff guy's dressed like a cop and removes his shirt, lifting an embarrassed Lisa up around his crotch as he stands, but Carlos then walks in and nothing else happens (although the friend says she paid for the guy so he'll continue back at her place -- we see them leave but nothing else). Madea says she'd rather be in prison fighting for her virginity rather than serve as Nikki's foster mom. When asked why she skipped school, Nikki says she's not smart like the other kids. Madea then asks who told her that and the girl says her former foster mom (adding that the woman said that the only thing Nikki would be good at is lying on her back -- meant sexually). Joe then jokes that he thinks he knows that woman and comments on her being good at that. We see some miscellaneous cleavage. Joe asks if Frankie's "going to get some" with Vanessa. When Frankie says they're just going to dinner, Joe says that dinner means "getting some." He then says that Vanessa is fertile, and when she and Frankie leave, he tells Madea that Vanessa will be coming back pregnant. Vanessa shows some cleavage. Vanessa tells Frankie that she's been celibate since giving her life to God and that she'll stay that way until she marries. He then asks if that's what she thought he wanted from her (meaning sex) and she says that men always want something. A song has lyrics where the man sings about wanting to get next to her, that it's hard to wait until no one else is around and then repeats a line about "till I find myself in you" (although it isn't clear if that's a metaphor or the sexual act). Victoria somewhat suggestively says that men like Carlos try to make up for what they lack (presumably referring to penis size). Carlos then says, "You want me, don't you?" She tells him not to flatter himself but then adds that if she wanted him, "I could have you." Frankie and Vanessa passionately kiss in bed while clothed, but we don't see anything else and nothing else is implied as the next shot has their three kids in bed with them (all clothed). When Victoria walks in, Joe lecherously tells her to turn around so he can watch her walk out (meaning he's looking at her butt). Victoria shows cleavage. Some teens wear midriff revealing tops and one wears small shorts that draw the attention of Joe. He then has her retrieve something to drink from an ice-filled barrel, prompting her to bend over and thus have her butt sticking out toward him and other old men who look at her lecherously (Joe even videotapes her). Joe then jokes that if not for all of his medical conditions, he might try Viagra. We see various men shirtless playing basketball. Lisa shows some cleavage. We several shirtless male models at a wedding. SMOKING None. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Victoria refers to Vanessa's kids (her grandkids) as "those little bastards" and generally has a bad attitude toward Vanessa throughout the film. That includes comments about where she works, who she's dating (Frankie) and his occupation, where and how she lives (with Madea), and more. Vanessa and her mom do not get along at all, often arguing, displaying bad attitudes and even coming to blows late in the film. Frankie says the mother of his child is married to someone else and has no time for the boy, while Vanessa states that the father of one of her kids is in jail, while the other is married to someone else. Frankie mentions that both of his parents are dead. Vanessa wakes up to find Frankie and their kids missing and she freaks out. When he returns from taking them for ice cream, she's furious with him until he explains what's going on. Nikki says that she never knew her father and that her mother is in jail. Vanessa tells the story of when she was a girl and her mom put her in the tub, dolled her up and then let her husband (Victoria's) come in and rape her. Victoria defends this by saying that was the only way to keep him from leaving her and the kids. She then adds that she did what she had to and that Vanessa was her only option. Victoria says that her mom was a whore and junkie who'd trade her (sexually) for $10 and a fix. An older aunt comments on having lost her husband (sometime in the past). After exchanging verbal blows, Victoria slaps Vanessa, prompting her to punch her mom (and the two have to be separated). TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT People in abusive relationships and why they stay in them. The notion of the black woman motto being that they always do what they have to do. When Lisa tells her mom that Carlos beats her (and often), Victoria tells her that she needs to stop doing whatever it is that's making him angry. She then says that women must sometimes deal with things to be comfortable in their lives. She also tells Lisa to be a good wife and do what he says, concluding that she won't then have any problems. When asked why she skipped school, Nikki says she's not smart like the other kids. Madea then asks who told her that and the girl says her former foster mom. Nikki says that she never knew her father and that her mother is in jail. Madea's comment that it's not where you come from, but instead is where you're going. Vanessa tells the story of when she was a girl and her mom put her in the tub, dolled her up and then let her husband (Victoria's) come in and rape her. Victoria defends this by saying that was the only way to keep him from leaving her and the kids. She then adds that she did what she had to and that Vanessa was her only option. Victoria says that her mom was a whore and junkie who'd trade her (sexually) for $10 and a fix. There's brief talk of the former slaves whose blood flows through the bodies of all of those at the family reunion. VIOLENCE Carlos suddenly slaps Lisa to the floor, causing her to cry. Nikki won't stop popping her chewing gum in the backset and then mouths off to Madea, prompting the latter to reach around and repeatedly slap and whack the teen (we see the motion, but not the actual impact -- all played for comedy). Nikki states that other kids are mean to her on the school bus, so Madea boards it and confronts the kids. One teenage boy tells her to shut up, prompting Madea to whack and hit that boy repeatedly (played for comedy). Madea grabs Nikki and uses a belt to whip her clothed butt (for skipping school). Carlos glares at Lisa for yawning while out with another couple. He then grabs her leg hard under the table, causing her some pain. We see several large bruises on Lisa's chest, suggesting Carlos has beat her more. Lisa tries to get dressed and then out of their high-rise condo while Carlos sleeps, but he wakes up and confronts her. Despite saying he's going to get counseling, that still doesn't appease her, causing him to lose his temper. He then says that the only way she's going to leave is via the balcony (many stories up) and then grabs and drags her toward that until he makes her repeatedly say that she's staying and that she loves him. After exchanging verbal blows, Victoria slaps Vanessa, prompting her to punch her mom (and the two have to be separated). During a montage, we see Carlos grab and shake Lisa while mad at her. After Carlos slaps her quite hard, Lisa takes Madea's earlier advice and throws a hot pan of grits in his face, causing him a lot of pain. She then takes a large skillet and repeatedly hits him with it (played for cathartic laughs on the part of the film). Reviewed February 24, 2006 / Posted February 24, 2006

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