Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Happy Family resonated deeply with me, mirroring aspects of my own life in ways that allowed for profound appreciation at just the right moment. However, while the film offers sincerity and relatable themes, Perry’s storytelling approach continues to present certain issues. He often employs humor in situations he later condemns, such as Aunt Bam’s excessive marijuana use, and his character portrayals can lack subtlety, leaning into stereotypes where nuance would be more impactful. Despite these shortcomings, Madea’s Happy Family thankfully steps away from the overtly conservative tones of some of his previous works, opting instead for a more universal message of common sense and basic human kindness.
The film centers on Shirley, portrayed by Loretta Devine, who discovers the return of her cancer. Her desire to gather her family for dinner to share this difficult news is repeatedly thwarted by the selfish actions of her children and their spouses, reminiscent of the comedic frustrations found in The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie. It is then that Madea, played by Perry himself, steps in. Taking matters into her own hands, she resorts to her characteristic tough love, threatening to whip her adult children into cooperation to ensure their mother’s wish for a family dinner is finally realized.
Having personally witnessed a mother’s long battle with cancer, I found Perry’s handling of this sensitive subject matter to be genuinely touching. Madea’s Happy Family delivers a soapy drama that connects with a wide audience, maintaining sincerity even as some characters become somewhat simplistic archetypes. Shannon Kane’s portrayal of the villainous and ungrateful Kimberly stands out as a particularly one-dimensional character. Parallel to Shirley’s health struggles is Madea’s ongoing crusade against disrespect, particularly amongst younger generations and stemming from ineffective parenting within unhappy marriages.
The movie opens with a memorable scene showcasing Madea’s zero-tolerance policy for rudeness. Annoyed by a gum-chewing, inattentive drive-thru worker, Madea drives her car straight through the fast-food restaurant in a scene reminiscent of Terminator. While Madea’s actions have been perceived as selfish in past films, notably in Madea Goes to Jail, here her forceful nature serves a more righteous purpose. Perry’s humor in these moments is often crude yet insightful, and the film includes a self-aware sequence where Madea finds herself hilariously outmaneuvered on the Maury talk show. Whether dispensing tough love to misbehaving children or offering blunt advice to her family, Madea’s wisdom, though delivered harshly, often rings true, offering a dose of needed directness in a self-centered world.
Score:
Cast: Tyler Perry, Bow Wow, Lauren London, Loretta Devine, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Cassi Davis, Shannon Kane, Isaiah Mustafa, Natalie Desselle-Reid, Rodney Perry, Teyana Taylor, Philip Anthony-Rodriguez
Director: Tyler Perry
Screenwriter: Tyler Perry
Distributor: Lionsgate
Running Time: 124 min
Rating: PG-13
Year: 2011
Buy: Video, Book
If you can, please consider supporting Slant Magazine.
Since 2001, we’ve brought you uncompromising, candid takes on the world of film, music, television, video games, theater, and more. Independently owned and operated publications like Slant have been hit hard in recent years, but we’re committed to keeping our content free and accessible—meaning no paywalls or fees.
If you like what we do, please consider subscribing to our Patreon or making a donation.
