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"This Aquarium
Looks Suspiciously Like
That Other One..." |
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Directed by Tyler Perry
- Written by Tyler Perry
Starring Gabrielle
Union, Idris Elba, Tasha
Smith, Gary Sturgis, Lou
Gossett, Jr.
Distributed by Lions
Gate -
2007 - 95m - Rated PG-13 |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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C |
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I've had this feeling once before. |
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Remember "Jersey
Girl?"
It was that Kevin Smith directed film that arrived at the tail end
of the Ben Affleck/Jennifer Lopez obsession.
It was the Affleck/Lopez film that didn't completely suck. (You do
remember "Gigli," right?)
It was also director Kevin Smith's attempt to get away from Jay &
Silent Bob. Smith headed off into the direction of moving away from
his writing and directorial tricks and trademarks. Instead, he
presented a straightforward plot, simple story and practically
gimmick-free filmmaking.
It wasn't, by any means, a horrible film. It also wasn't Smith's
best, and it had his many fans begging for Smith to return to his
roots.
Tyler Perry's "Daddy's Little Girls" is very similar in its
presentation, impact and, ultimately, its lackings.
"Daddy's Little Girls" isn't a bad film. If you enjoy Tyler Perry's
"Madea" themed films, then you are likely to enjoy "Daddy's Little
Girls." However, Madea is nowhere to be found in "Daddy's Little
Girls" and, in fact, neither is Perry.
Perry directs the film and proves, in fact, that he's an ever
improving director with his own distinct style.
If you've had no appreciation for Perry's previous films, then it's
unlikely you will appreciate "Daddy's Little Girls." Perry does
everything pretty much the same as always, but in fact does a little
better than usual. However, there's no comic diversion from "Madea"
and, in fact, not as much comic diversion to soften Perry's
occasional tendencies to get downright self-righteous.
If you've ever watched a Tyler Perry film then you're likely aware
that Perry doesn't put a lot of gray into his characters. Quite
honestly, they are GOOD or BAD. It's a plot device that can work
incredibly well, but can also make his films, at times, seem
downright formulaic and predictable.
Again, if you like like formula you are likely to enjoy "Daddy's
Little Girls." If you've tired of the formula, then "Daddy's Little
Girls" will serve as, at best, a decent video rental about a subject
sorely missing from contemporary film...that of the responsible
African-American male who is also a great parent.
The story centers around Monty (Idris Elba), a man who finds himself
losing a custody battle with his ex-wife for his aforementioned
"little girls" despite the fact that even his ex mother-in-law
agrees that he's the better parent. When the ex-wife (Tasha Smith)
suddenly moves the kids in with her boyfriend/drug dealer, Monty
fights back and hires a high-powered lawyer (Gabrielle Union). It
goes without saying that from this point on the film will center far
more on Monty than his little girls, and the lesson won't be so much
about family as it will be that "African-American men aren't always
what's portrayed in the media."
True enough. Unfortunately, the more interesting storyline is left
behind for the chemistry of Elba and Union and a storyline that has
been played out far too often before.
Sounds a lot like "Jersey Girl," eh?
While Perry attempts to throw in a bit of gray when Monty's "past"
rape conviction is uncovered, this touch is almost too intense to
balance with Monty's attempts to gain custody of his little girls
and win over the heart of his lawyer.
Surely you saw the romantic storyline coming, right?
What should have been a positive, inspiring and heartwarming family
film dissolves into an inexplicably convoluted story in which none
of the final storylines make sense.
While undoubtedly Monty's girls live in quite the harrowing
situation, anyone even remotely familiar with "the system" knows
that it doesn't work this way. This storyline is, quite simply,
nothing more than hyped up melodrama. Does it occasionally work?
Sure, but it only occasionally feels authentic.
Shouldn't a film about a man fighting for his daughters feel
authentic?
Likewise, the "love" story feels manufactured and Perry attempts to
create drama for Union's character that also never feels authentic.
Is Perry's usual audience of lower to middle-class African-Americans
who go to church really going to identify with a six-figure,
high-powered lawyer who can't find a date because her standards are
too high?
Ummm. No. Actually, they're not.
I won't even go into the stylized gangbanging storyline that made me
wonder if the Jets and the Sharks were going to break out into song
and dance.
Tyler Perry has grown. I won't deny it. As a filmmaker, his style,
technique and skills are undoubtedly higher than when he started his
"Madea" films.
While Perry's writing has always been a tad simplistic and
formulaic, it's also been his strength to many of his fans and
devotees. Perry creates a sort of Capraesque universe in which
miracles happen, good overcomes evil and you laugh a little, cry a
little. "Daddy's Little Girls" feels much like did Smith's "Jersey
Girl"...like Perry's trying to go in a direction and just doesn't
have the knowledge to pull it off effectively. Without Perry's
trademark quirkiness and gimmicks, "Daddy's Little Girls" is left to
rely on its own merits to sell itself.
It just doesn't work much of the time.
The performances are generally reliable, though none really
stand-out with the exception of the young Sierra McClain as Monty's
12-year-old daughter. Elba is fine (though his Atlanta accent is a
bit off) and Union offers a stylized, yet satisfying performance as
Julia, the high-powered lawyer. Louis Gossett, Jr., Malinda
Williams, Tasha Smith and Gary Sturgis do nice jobs in supporting
roles.
"Daddy's Little Girls" isn't a bad film. In fact, on a certain level
I can highly recommend it for Perry's legion of fans. They are
unlikely to be distracted by the points made here and unlikely to be
disappointed. It would be nice to see Perry's fans to support this
film...perhaps then we could see a little less of Perry in drag and
a little more of Perry's artistic growth.
Yet, "Daddy's Little Girls" also feels like a bit of a missed
opportunity for a high-powered, influential writer/director like
Perry to make a TRULY powerful statement supporting African-American
men in America. Instead, "Daddy's Little Girls" dissolves into
bubble gum family caricatures that feel shallow and don't really
leave a lasting impression.
As I left the theatre for "Daddy's Little Girls" I was acutely aware
that I'd had this feeling once before...after viewing "Jersey Girl."
In both cases, I admired the filmmaker for going a different
direction but couldn't deny feeling like I'd just seen a simple,
average film that should have been a whole lot better. |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
Email Me! |
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How We Rated This Film
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TC Candler -
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| Richard Propes
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C |
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Jacob Hall
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TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Jacob Hall's
Comment
n/a
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