Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral continues the Madea series’ tradition of being, well, a lot. It’s a bizarre blend of poorly executed humor and melodramatic plotlines, presented with a low-budget aesthetic reminiscent of a sitcom. The film’s issues stem from Perry’s continued success with this formula, leading to a lack of innovation or improvement.
The movie’s structure is undeniably strange. Madea, along with her nephew Brian and brothers Joe and Heathrow (all portrayed by Perry), feel detached from the central narrative. These characters, accompanied by Madea’s friends Miss Hattie and Aunt Bam, primarily serve as commentators on the main events. While this could have been a comedic strength, the humor falls flat due to Perry’s writing.
The core story revolves around a family grappling with secrets and infidelity during what is supposed to be a celebration. Heathrow, a new character, is the grandfather of several siblings gathered for their parents’ anniversary. Jessie, one of the siblings, is dealing with the secret that his fiancee, Gia, is having an affair with his brother, A.J. This affair is revealed when Gia and A.J. happen to be in the room next to A.J.’s father is cheating with Renee, a family friend, when he unexpectedly passes away. Adding to the chaos, Madea and her crew are staying at the same hotel due to the typical lazy coincidences found in Tyler Perry films.
A.J. and Gia’s knowledge of A.J.’s father’s infidelity becomes a burden, as revealing it would expose their own affair. A.J. responds by being generally unpleasant, using his father’s death as an excuse, while still pursuing Gia, who is sharing a room with her fiancé Jessie. The film also includes a sister and her husband, whose plot relevance is minimal.
The secrets are exposed, and events that could be emotionally charged are treated as farcical, though not in a genuinely funny way. The widow, Vianne, quickly recovers from her husband’s death and begins a relationship with Mike Tyson on the night of the funeral.
The film’s dialogue is a mix of peculiar themes:
- Comments about characters’ body odor: 5%
- Madea’s generalizations about “black people” and their funeral traditions: 15%
- Miss Hattie or Aunt Bam almost revealing secrets, leading to Madea silencing them: 15%
- References to the deceased’s persistent post-mortem erection: 10%
- Madea, Joe, or Heathrow’s rambling about the past: 30%
- Improvised-sounding, banal conversations: 25%
The script feels excessively long, with many scenes and lines that could be removed, especially those involving Perry’s characters. An extended sequence involving a traffic stop by a white police officer exemplifies the film’s failed attempts at humor. Cutting these unnecessary elements would improve the film, even if it would still be flawed.
A Madea Family Funeral Parents Guide:
Considering the content, here’s a breakdown for parents:
- Crude Sexual Content: The film is filled with sexual innuendo and references to infidelity, including jokes about a dead man’s erection.
- Language: Expect frequent use of strong language throughout the film.
- Drug References: There are multiple references to drug use.
- Thematic Elements: The film deals with themes of infidelity, death, and family secrets, which may be sensitive for some viewers.
- Stereotypes: The film relies on stereotypes, particularly in Madea’s character, which may be considered offensive by some.
Conclusion:
A Madea Family Funeral offers a chaotic and often misguided experience. While some viewers may find humor in its absurdity, parents should be aware of the film’s crude content and mature themes before allowing their children to watch. The movie’s reliance on stereotypes and its questionable handling of sensitive topics may also be a concern for some viewers.
Rating: PG-13 for crude sexual content, language, and drug references throughout.
Runtime: 1 hr., 49 min.
