The Good, The Bad and Madea

After watching a morally bankrupt celluloid character one night, and a righteous film family the next, you'd think each of the subjects would equate to the film's quality. Wrong. Roger Ebert has said (and I'm paraphrasing), that its not what the film is about, but how it is about it. Two great examples of this are Woody Allen's MATCH POINT, and Tyler Perry's MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION.

MATCH POINT surrounds the rise of tennis pro Chris Wilton into Britian's social uppercrust. There isn't anything that will stop Chris from obtaining whatever he wants, be it professional, social or sexual. Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays Chris nearly perfect, and although we despise his intentions, actions and emotions, there's a certain draw to him despite his amoral behavior.

MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION is in dark contrast. Each of the main players is a righeteous person, attempting to make sound judgements based on their family, friends and God. There's a genuine concern for each family member, and despite their flaws, behavior and past sins, a strong willingness to forgive one another.

In terms of quality, these two films couldn't be farther apart. Allen lures us into Britain's high society by intoxicating us with a family's luxurious estate, attractive individuals and wordplay that sizzles between the characters lips. In spite of all the misdeeds, MATCH POINT is throughly engaging due Allen's sharp, yet realistic twists and a morally provactive script which doesn't have to scream its message to be heard. Perry's FAMILY REUNION is all about yelling, and if you haven't heard the message, Great Granny Madea will beat it into you. Several scenes are staged to have "wise" characters spill lengthy monologues of right and wrong, treating its audience like a child in grade school.

Many viewers will see MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION as a good-hearted, spiritually enriching romp, while MATCH POINT will be deemed a dark and disturbing drama which rewards the wicked. This is too simplistic of a take for both films, one which many will determine based on each film's synopsis, and not the subtlety, or lackthereof, of each film.