Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns - PG-13

Watch Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns Video Movie Review

Feel-good film is formulaic but OK for teens+.

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Rating: PG-13 for drug content, language including sexual references, thematic elements and brief violence. Studio: Lions Gate Entertainment Directed By: Tyler Perry Cast: Angela Bassett, Tyler Perry, Rick Fox Running Time: 100 minutes Release Date: 03/21/2008 Genre: Drama

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this dramedy is noticeably less raunchy than other Tyler Perry movies, while still emphasizing the standard, uplifting "work hard, don't take any shortcuts, and have faith" messages for which he's become famous. There's not much swearing, few innuendoes (and only one passionate kiss), and plenty of relatives who offer solace and support to one another. There are mentions of drug dealing, pimping/prostitution, and illegal gambling -- as well as suggestions of mild drug use -- but love, decency, and faith pretty much conquer all.

Families can talk about Brenda's struggles as a single mom. Do you think the movie portrays her realistically? Have any parts of the movie been "Hollywood-ized"? If so, which ones? Families can also discuss why Tyler Perry is so popular. Have you seen his other movies? What do they have in common? Who are they targeted at, and why do they appeal to that audience? Do you like him better as his character Madea or as a "regular" actor? Why?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: S. Jhoanna Robledo

Brenda Brown (Angela Bassett) is having a bad run: She just lost her job, her electricity's been cut off, her unpaid babysitter is disgruntled, and she can barely feed her kids. So when a letter shows up at her Chicago apartment inviting her to her long-lost father's funeral -- with three bus tickets to Georgia enclosed -- she's left with no reason to say no. It turns out to be a smart move. The unnamed Georgia town she visits is truly an escape, an antidote to the harsh big city. Here, relatives who hardly know Brenda embrace her family warmly, the slow pace teaches her to give pause, and a handsome neighbor (Rick Fox) takes Brenda's son, Michael (Lance Gross) -- and Brenda, too -- under his wing. But the call of the city proves too great, so she and her kids go back, only to face tragedy that brings them South once more.

It would be totally predictable to say that MEET THE BROWNS is predictable (the same thing has been said about nearly every single Tyler Perry movie). As Perry's movies go, this one is actually less stilted and slightly more inventive, plot-wise. The characters don't speak in clichés as often as they have in the past, and the warmth feels genuine.

Ultimately, it's a feel-good film, despite its flaws. Perhaps that's largely because the central character is played by Bassett, who manages -- for the most part, though not fully -- to transcend the cloying storyline. That said, even she can't save the bits that are played all-out for laughs, especially the funeral scenes at the church and cemetery, which just aren't all that funny. (Neither is Perry's Madea cameo.) Memorable moviemaking it isn't. But entertaining? If you like Perry's work, yes.

Fans may also enjoy Perry's other movies, including Why Did I Get Married and Madea's Family Reunion.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Some innuendo, but nothing explicit. One passionate but tasteful kiss. Some cleavage. References to pimping/prostitution.
Violence Father and son have an ugly shouting match; a woman and her ex argue; drug dealers beat up another dealer; an old woman and her husband get involved in a low-speed chase; a teen is shot.
Language Mostly of the "shut up," "ho," and "pimp" variety; also some use of "hell," "damn," and "ass." The "F"-word is implied in one case, but not fully said.
Message
	Social Behavior Some references to inappropriate behavior like pimping and doing and dealing drugs; overall this is a feel-good movie that values decency and hope.
	Commercialism Visible signage for restaurants (Ribs'n'Bibs, Tasty Sub). Other logos/brands include North Lake Medical Center, U-Haul, Georgia Trailways, Chicago Transportation Authority, Quaker Oats.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco One scene in which a woman lights a joint; some drug dealing in the streets; one woman always has a glass that appears to contain whiskey; some wine is drunk at dinner.