Matt's Movie Review: ‘Browns’ just as clever as other Perry films

March 26, 2008 10:16 am

— Entertainment guru Tyler Perry shows off his writing talents once again in the number two weekend opener, “Meet the Browns.” Continuing in the line of Perry films, “Meet the Browns” delivers a very clever blend of comedy, drama and romance for fans and first-timers alike.
A struggling mom, with her three kids, tries to make it in the Chicago suburbs, until she receives an unexpected letter from Georgia. The letter calls her to Georgia to her father’s funeral, whom she had never met, and to stay for the reading of the will. There, she meets the Browns and is eventually instilled with hope for a better life, away from the harshness and diffuculty of the suburbs.
Angela Bassett gives a great performance as Brenda, giving a fresh appeal, by a nationally acclaimed actress, to the film. Perry uses many of the same actors from his plays in his films, but with Bassett’s notoriety certainly a new fan-base can be achieved with “Meet the Browns.”
Margaret Avery (“The Color Purple,” “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins”) takes a minor role as L.B. Brown’s (Frankie Faison) wife. David Mann, a seasoned actor from many of Perry’s stage productions, is once again Mr. “Leroy” Brown. Mann reprises his role very well of Brown, who wears his clothes too tight, out of date/style, and still owes Madea back child support.
“Meet the Browns” gives many laughs even without Madea’s antics, who unfortunately, is only reprised for a short car chase scene, with her and Joe running from the police…at ten miles an hour.
Like all of Perry’s productions, life, death, relationships, family, hardships, and perseverance, are all themes and lessons snuck into this well-rounded film.
Grade: A

Matthew Breazeale is a journalism student at Delta State University. Email him at news@starherald.net