A Madea Family Funeral (2019) – Summary, Review (with Spoilers)
Madea’s final bow may be a slight disappointment, but the laughs will remind you of why you fell in love with the character.
Madea’s final bow may be a slight disappointment, but the laughs will remind you of why you fell in love with the character.
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| Director(s) | Tyler Perry | |
| Written By | Tyler Perry | |
| Date Released | 2/28/2019 | |
| Genre(s) | Comedy, Drama | |
| Good If You Like | Vulgar Comedy
Seeing The Bodies Of Beautiful Black People |
|
| Isn’t For You If You | Want Depth To Your Drama
Feel The Last Movie Of A Franchise Should Be Epic |
|
| Noted Cast | ||
| Anthony | Derek Morgan | |
| Vianne | Jen Harper | |
| Carol | Kj Smith | |
| AJ | Courtney Burrell | |
| Renee | Quin Walters | |
| Gia | Aeriél Miranda | |
| Bam | Cassi Davis | |
| Hattie | Patrice Lovely | |
| Joe | Tyler Perry | |
| Heathrow | Tyler Perry | |
| Sylvia | Ciera Payton | |
| Will | David Otunga | |
| Roy | Mike Tyson | |
| Madea | Tyler Perry | |
A Madea Family Funeral Plot Summary (Ending Explained on Page 2)
The day Anthony and Vianne were supposed to celebrate an anniversary ends with Vianne planning for a funeral. However, Anthony isn’t the only thing which dies or was dying. Carol has been dying a bit inside because her relationship to A.J. Renee and Gia have been holding a secret which may crush them, and then there is Bam, Hattie, Joe, Madea, and Heathrow. All of which may not have anything physically wrong with them but they are dying from laughter as they peep everyone’s secrets and try not to expose anybody.
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Highlights
This Film Is Hilarious
I got 49 hearty laughs out of this movie. Not the kind which makes you tear up or feel like you have bronchitis, but they were genuine laughs I couldn’t hold back. Most of them came from Madea and her crew, especially as she was trying to keep everyone from spilling what happened to Anthony. One scene in particular which may get you roaring is when she backhands Hattie for saying too much and Joe – plus their reactions to being hit. Also, there is Heathrow and Joe trading jokes about being pimps and just being dirty old men.
On The Fence
The Message Is Rushed, As Well As The Ending
When the Madea plays and movies began, there was an attempt to balance the comedy with having meaningful moments. In this film, Harper does give a powerful moment, but then that is paired with lackluster life lessons which seem dialed in. This is especially true when it comes to Madea’s talk to certain characters which feels written in by obligation vs. Perry really having something to say.
But, perhaps the worst thing about Madea’s final sit down is that it doesn’t feel worthy of being the last movie of this franchise. The writing of Madea’s final advice seems like it belongs in the fanfic of someone who wants to be a writer someday who is paying homage. Not the writing of someone who is putting to rest the character who brought them so much in life.
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You More So Get Into The Characters’ Drama Than Them As People
It was honestly a struggle to learn most of the characters names for the actual people seemed not to matter. We don’t get to really know anyone individually as much as we learn what the drama of their life is and that’s it. Are they cheating or being cheated on pretty much is the dichotomy of nearly all characters introduced in this movie.
What doesn’t help though is there is also this vibe the actors were chosen more so because they are eye candy more than actors who deserved their big break. Now, don’t get me wrong, no one was terrible in their role or anything like that. However, between all men who aren’t Tyler Perry looking like they go to the gym daily and every woman being fodder for commentary by Joe and Heathrow, you get the vibe we aren’t meant to take these actors seriously. Outside of Harper, they are expected to be gawked at more than considered people who can affect our emotions.
Overall
Mixed (Divisive) | Purchase, Rent, Get Tickets, or Merchandise On (Fandango/ Amazon)
I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t disappointed. For what Perry notes likely is the last film for Madea, it disappoints in a multitude of ways. We don’t see Cora or any of the actresses who starred in early Madea movies, and while funny, there isn’t much depth to the story. The majority of the actors seemingly were cast more so because they were attractive than could turn Perry’s lukewarm script into something greater. Then, while Harper is a saving grace, one beautifully done scene doesn’t make up for characters so dull you barely catch their names.
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Hence the mixed label. While this is a hilarious movie, it just doesn’t feel like a real effort was put into this possibly being the final entry. If anything, the release of this feels like a contractual obligation so Perry could be free to do other projects. Thus leaving one of the most comedic characters’ last appearances being lackluster.
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