Tyler Perry’sDiary of a Mad Black Womanis on its way to Netflix. The first in a franchise with over a dozen movies, 11 plays, and a long-running show,Diaryquickly became a massive success. It earned $50.7 million at the box office on a budget of just $5.5 million, and it helped Perry become a household name practically overnight. Nineteen years after its release, the romantic comedy has endured as a classic hit.
Led by Kimberly Elise, Steve Harris, and Perry, the movie introduced Madea, who would be the only major member of the franchise to explode into extraordinary popularity. Having started Perry’s on-screen career with a bang,Diary of a Mad Black Womanis coming to Netflix on September 1, where it will joinTyler Perry’sA Madea Homecomingto offer more insight into how the wide and wild world of Madea began.
Did You Know: The originalDiary of a Mad Black Womantoured around the United States for a full year in 2001, four years before the movie was released.
Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Cast
Diary of a Mad Black Woman is a drama film directed by Darren Grant and written by Tyler Perry. Released in 2005, the movie follows the emotional journey of Helen McCarter, played by Kimberly Elise, as she rebuilds her life following a tumultuous separation from her husband. The film explores themes of empowerment, forgiveness, and personal growth, with Tyler Perry also featuring in dual roles as Madea and Brian.
Notmany of theMadeamovieshave ever earned much love from critics. OnlyTyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009)has ever secured a positive score on the Tomatometer. Even then, it sits at only a 61% score. The charm of theMadeafranchise is not in its talent for promoting critically acclaimed content, but it lies in its ability to entertain regular viewers withover-the-top performances and absurd humor.
While it does rely on a sense of comedy that can be overstated at times, the franchise has always beengrounded by heavy themes and a strong helping of love. While Madea can behave with a shocking distaste for decorum, she is still counteracted by the realistic situations around her. InDiary of a Mad Black Woman, the story centers on a young woman struggling after her husband abandons her. It is a relatable setting, made only more touching by strong acting and a sense of genuine care.
13 Best Tyler Perry Movies That Don’t Feature Madea
Although the Madea franchise is Tyler Perry’s most recognizable work, he’s demonstrated time and again his proclivities for diverse storytelling.
Even for those who have seen the later movies, it is worth visiting or revisiting the original to see where it all started. When the movie was being made, Perry was a largely unknown performer, and the absurdity of his role was still fresh and new. The humor still holds up today, despite how much of it rests on shocking viewers. While it has become controversial, given its reliance on stereotypes, it needs to be seen before audiences can settle on an opinion. WithDiary of a Mad Black Womanheading to Netflix, that will now be easier than ever.
WhatScreen Ranthas said about theMadeamovies:
While Perry has garnered criticism for his somewhat stereotypical portrayal, the overwhelming popularity of the Madea feature films has proven that the character has struck a nerve with audiences at large.Every Madea movieis its own unique entity, and the prolific black creator has also never strayed away from tackling deeper issues through his iconic character. The strongest aspect of the Madea movies is that they appear to be simple comedy on the surface, but are actually careful dissections of themes such as class, infidelity, and the sometimes turbulent nature of an average family.Tyler Perry’s Madea Movies In Order (By Release Date & Chronologically)
$50.7 million
16%
86%
Major Awards
BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Theatrical Film, Black Movie Award for Outstanding Motion Picture (Nominee)
