Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Farewell Play – Review/Summary (with Spoilers)
In the last play Tyler Perry portrays Madea, we get one final reminder of why, despite some controversy, Madea is a renowned figure.
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In the last play Tyler Perry portrays Madea, we get one final reminder of why, despite some controversy, Madea is a renowned figure.
| Director(s) | Tyler Perry |
| Screenplay By | Tyler Perry |
| Date Released (BET+) | 8/27/2020 |
| Genre(s) | Comedy, Drama, Romance, Young Adult, Musical, Religious, Stage Play |
| Duration | 2 Hours, 16 Minutes |
| Noted Cast | |
| Malik | Jacoby Brown |
| William | Kendrick Mays |
| Darlene | Alexis Hollins |
| Robin | Ashlee B. Gillum |
| Titi | Kwaylon Rogers |
| Aunt Bam | Cassi Davis Patton |
| Madea | Tyler Perry |
| Cora | Tamela Mann |
| Mr. Brown | David Mann |
| Sylvia | RaVaughn Brown |
| Devin | Anthony Lewis |
| Omar | Walter Fauntleroy |
This content contains pertinent spoilers.
Plot Summary
As with most Madea plays, the central drama is family drama. Everyone was supposed to come together for Malik’s graduation, but the problem with that is that it includes his dog of a father, William. Someone who doesn’t get along with Malik’s mother, Darlene, her sister Robin, their husband Omar, or Malik’s sister Titi. Add in Aunt Bam, Madea, Cora, Mr. Brown, alongside Darlene and Robin’s best friend Sylvia, and you may think this would be a one against all.
However, as secrets are revealed, and we get Devin, Malik’s friend, thrown into the mix, as usual, Madea finds herself tasked with setting people straight, with some help from Mr. Brown and even Bam. Thus leaving the characters and audience with something to think about.
Things To Note | Question(s) Left Unanswered
- What was up with Darlene’s wig? Was that the wig cap or lace front we saw or just where they had their microphone taped?
Collected Quote(s) & .Gifs
There is a reason the rearview mirror is smaller than the windshield.
— Madea
Take your time to get married. That’s why so many people get divorced, ’cause they’re only saying, “I do” to one person. […] if you want your marriage to last, when you say “I do” that first time, you have to commit to at least 4 or 5 different people. Listen, every 7 to 15 years, the person that you’re with gonna become somebody else. That’s just life. People evolve, they change, they become somebody else. They get older, their bodies change, everything. So every 7 to 15 years, you gonna be with somebody else. See, the problem is, people only saying “I do” for the first 7 to 15. So when that new person shows up, they don’t know what the hell to do, so they want a divorce. That’s why so many people renew their vows, ’cause they knew who they married the first time ain’t who they’re married to right now.
— Madea
Character Guide
Malik (Jacoby Brown)
23-year-old Malik is a recent law school graduate, who soon will be in New York interning at his aunt’s law firm.
William (Kendrick Mays)
Malik and Titi’s father, who, thanks to Sylvia not being that good of a divorce attorney, pretty much got everything in the divorce. Thus leaving Darlene in the struggle.
Darlene (Alexis Hollins)
A single mother for roughly two years, it is only due to the help of family and friends she has been able to keep her son in school and make ends meet.
Robin (Ashlee B. Gillum)
Darlene’s sister, who is on her second marriage and has troubles with her ex-husband due to the way he handles their children when she isn’t around. Thus leading to multiple trips to court and the ire of her new husband Omar.
Titi (Kwaylon Rogers)
Darlene’s youngest child, who has long lived in her brother’s shadow and this has created quite a bit of insecurity. What doesn’t help is Madea and many others teasing her style and looks.
Aunt Bam (Cassi Davis Patton)
You know Aunt Bam. She is a woman of a certain age who likes weed, younger men, and sex. Granted, she still is very much about her bible and loving the Lord, but she ain’t against having some fun. As long as she doesn’t have to move too quickly and can get someone with muscles to assist her.
Madea (Tyler Perry)
The matriarch who is known for carrying a pistol and weed, and being as feared as she is loved. For with a slick mouth, a penchant for violence, and always ready to tell you about yourself, Madea is entertaining as long as she doesn’t have her sights set on you.
Cora (Tamela Mann)
To the best of her abilities, Cora tries to be the peacemaker. She tries to be with her daughters, Robin and Darlene, and just in whatever situation she is in. However, sometimes Madea pulls rank as her mother and forces her to deal with being someone’s child and the voice of reason.
Mr. Brown (David Mann)
A religious man with an eccentric style, what Mr. Brown may lack in book smarts he makes up for in singing talent and personality. This often makes him sometimes the life of the party but also the joke of it as well.
Sylvia (RaVaughn Brown)
A New York attorney who tried to help Darlene in her divorce but, for reasons noted in the play, she was distracted and unable to help Darlene to the extent she needed.
Devin (Anthony Lewis)
Malik’s college roommate, who is 3 years his senior that Titi is in love with despite him not paying her the time of day. Yet, with how close he is to Malik, he finds himself more than comfortable enough to insert himself into Malik’s family drama. Thus raising some eyebrows.
Omar (Walter Fauntleroy)
Robin’s husband, who is a doctor, and isn’t really allowed to assert himself when it comes to her personal affairs, especially in regards to her ex and the kids she has with him.
Review
Highlights
It’s Hilarious – 89
While it is only the usual suspects who are funny, Bam, Mr. Brown, and of course, Madea, you wouldn’t think that Perry has been writing, solo, 25 years worth of material. For when it comes to his stage plays, while many may say the movies and shows vary in quality, when it comes to the live theaters, there has been nothing but consistency.
Some of the highlights come from nearly everyone making fun of Titi, which could be seen as problematic, depending on your sense of comedy. There is also Madea waving her gun, Mr. Brown on weed, and Bam’s usual flirtatious and ignorant antics that’ll make you actually laugh out loud.
The Usual Good Advice (From A Christian Point of View) – 88
More than anything, what the Madea plays have always been memorable for are two things for me: The first being when, like in this entry, everyone gets to sing a modern-day or old school hit, and then the advice Madea gives when she reads people. In Madea’s Farewell Play, the focus is marriage. Be it Darlene dealing with an ex who likes to provoke her or Robin’s way of handling her ex and her current husband, Omar.
Now, when it comes to exes, Madea is cut and dry, let them go, forgive, and release whatever power you are allowing them to have over you. However, if you in the thick of it, as the quote above says, she tries to guide you toward roughing it out a bit. Mind you, not if there is violence or anything crazy, but a recognition that people change. For as said on Black Love, who you marry in your teens, college, and beyond, they won’t stay that way until death, and who would ever want someone that stagnant?
And while there surely are other moments which may touch and speak to you, those are what jumped out to us.
On The Fence
Titi – 73
We don’t know Titi, but we will say there are many times when Titi was not an asset. Heck, as noted above, being that Titi is misgendered many times in the production, you might feel a certain way about that. However, what doesn’t help is Titi doesn’t really have redeemable qualities. They don’t elicit laughs, even though it seems they are doing some catchphrase of theirs, and they ultimately just seem like Perry trying to put someone on and, maybe, take advantage of their internet fame.
But, to be fair, I could simply not be who Titi’s demographic is, and some may find them the best part of the production. I mean, their pop was only second to Perry/Madea.
There Is Just Enough Drama To Get Into Non-Series Staples – 76
You will get the gist of what’s happening with Darlene and her family, but I wouldn’t say if Madea and her crew weren’t part of this to the extent they are, you’d find the story and performance good enough to compensate. For as much as they play a role in building up Madea’s advice and act as fodder for Brown, Bam, and Madea, there is just something about their melodrama, even as there are twists and turns, that makes it clear this isn’t the selling point.
Granted, with this being two hours, I feel the need to say the story doesn’t make you feel the time length at all. However, at the same time, I wouldn’t say it is so engaging that it’ll lead you to follow the careers of anyone involved to see what happens to them next.
Overall
Would Watch Again? – Worth Revisiting
Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)
Madea’s final play may not necessarily be a classic to put on a loop, but considering how many farewells from other characters and series usually are lackluster, Madea stands above many. Hence the positive label. Madea’s Farewell Play is everything you love about Madea and her crew throughout the years, with a serviceable new bunch of family members who give you just enough to not make the show feel like a drag.
Ending Explained (Spoilers)
We learn Sylvia and William have been a thing for a little over two years, and William was likely having an affair with her. But, at the same time, soon after their divorce, Darlene started seeing Devin while waiting for Malik. Leading to one thing or another and him becoming her secret lover who reveals, at the graduation party, he is not only with Darlene but proposes!
This grandeur gesture is originally rejected but then accepted after Madea talks some sense into her. However, Titi is devasted, and Malik confused. But, in time, both get over it.
As for Robin? Well, we don’t see her ex, but she does get warned about possibly losing her man over worrying about what her ex is doing. Especially since, based on Robin’s phone calls, it isn’t like her ex is doing anything to harm the children. Jeffrey simply isn’t doing things the way she wants.
Sequel Potential
While this is Madea’s last outing, Mr. Brown, Cora, and Bam could continue on. Heaven knows with the size of the family, surely there is no end to the drama, and if they really wanted to end the Madea saga and all those part of it, they could have a funeral.
