Well, recently I’ve been seeing many more movies than I planned to, especially after taking into consideration the serious trepidation I have for and subsequent frustration I experience after bad movies. However, I purposely left my house to see this movie. I knew the experience had serious ‘infuriating potential’ TM as the two things I knew about the movie beforehand were; the movie was directed by Tyler Perry(Never really liked his movies especially the maddening Madea series) and that it had received generally negative reviews from critics. What should have convinced me not to go was the fact that the movie was conspicuous by its absence from my younger brother’s list of movies to see in 2013(the same list I wrote about in my review of Fast Six)
Madea movies are just annoying . . . and that’s a man . . . for those who weren’t sure
I’m sure you’re already asking yourself why I still left my house, having budgeted for fuel/transport and movie tickets. Some might class me as some form of masochist who bizarrely enjoys the frustration I get after these terrible experiences. While a few others will think I purposely set out to see a movie with the aforementioned ‘infuriating potential’ TM, in order to have something to rant about(more understandable but still bizarre). Well, you were all wrong. I did it for the most common cause of man’s gaffes/mistakes/downfall right from the beginning of time and the Garden of Eden. I did it for a lady (and yea, she’s not related to me, she’s a friend . . . a beautiful,lovely, fair friend). She really wanted to see the movie so I agreed. We got there with enough time to spare, got our snacks(economic downturn? Nah! not today) and proceeded to the cinema hall.
Okay, I guess I’ve fulfilled my normal quota of pre-review jabber, now unto the actual movie review. The movie was a very good one (and No!, It’s not because of the person I saw it with), a fact which continues to astound me. It wasn’t the edge-of-your-seat, exhilarating, blockbuster experience that Fast and Furious Six was but it was worth every kobo. The story is basically about a lady in her mid-20s and married to her childhood love meeting a young billionaire who was interested in investing in her field of expertise. This billionaire goes on to tempt and seduce her with words, gestures and his vast wealth, before eventually convincing her to leave her husband. However, through some nicely executed twists in the plot, it is discovered that the lady consoling the protagonist’s(the original lady’s) husband after the separation, was previously married to this billionaire and both she(this new lady) and the billionaire had HIV/AIDS. In a feat of chivalry, her husband attempts and succeeds in rescuing his wife from her HIV-ridden billionaire lover who had started physically abusing her. The experience is narrated by the protagonist (now significantly older) who has become a marriage counselor to an unrelated woman who had come to her for marriage advice.
Temptation in progress . . .
The plot is quite simple and easy to follow with little or no subplots. It’s not one for lovers of intrigue, action, special effects or adventure. Nevertheless, it still has the ability to provoke prolonged periods of thought especially for individuals in relationships and married couples. Students of human behaviour like myself would really appreciate the movie. The actors were praise-worthy as they were able to depict, with excellence, the range of emotions and thoughts couples go through especially during tough times. The speeches and conversations were also worthy of acclaim as they practically painted a real life picture of a situation that most couples face in different forms and to different degrees in their everyday lives. It basically reiterates the point Pascal made in this article on relationships.
The movie also excellently contrasts the lives of people from different backgrounds and different ends of life’s spectrum while also painting a vivid image of the ways different characters react to meeting people with lives varying vastly from that which they have got used to. For instance, the protagonist’s boss, a female professional matchmaker from Georgia(in the USA) begins speaking with a false French accent after spending just a week in Paris. Furthermore, the protagonist, a homely, Christian lady from a modest background was seduced completely by the billionaire’s fast life and savvy use of words and mind games.
Movie Scenes
Kim Kardashian was featured in the movie but played a minor role and to be fair, wasn’t the calamity I expected her to be(I guess this is worth mentioning . . . but I’m not sure why . . .) . Brandy also featured in a slightly more important role but acted her part with aplomb. The other characters also showed aptitude and were all very commendable. The movie did end on a slightly poignant note and didn’t really place enough blame on the husband for not putting in the work needed to keep the relationship going. However, that did little to detract from the general quality.
In conclusion, this movie is definitely one that will appeal more to the ladies. I wrote that with ‘a clean mind’ and it is in no way intended to sound like the deranged mutterings of ‘a chauvinistic pig’ (By the way, why is it always a ‘pig’? You never hear anyone calling someone ‘a chauvinistic goat or cow’, Why?). It’s not the best movie out there and I don’t think it was written with that intention, but it’s gone a long way toward redeeming Tyler Perry’s damaged reputation to me . So, I’ll say the movie probably doesn’t deserve all the negative reviews and conversely, is rather good. See it if you can, it’s definitely not a must see, but neither is it the terrible movie most reviewers have portrayed it as.
Final rating – 7.25/10 – and that’s fair
By I.V Okata . . . Great Movies? Count me in . . .
Follow him on Twitter @IzutaDGaffer
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