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Tyler Perry's Good Deeds
- Review Date: February 24, 2012
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2012
Common Sense Media says
Message movie lacks humor to draw in teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that as with any Tyler Perry movie, Good Deeds explores themes of family, class, and what it means to follow your dreams. There's some sexuality (a few kisses, one brief love scene that focuses on the couple's faces) and strong language ("s--t," "ass," "bitch," etc.). Violence is limited to a skirmish between two brothers (one is left whimpering on the floor) and one near-attack in a homeless shelter. Perry's films tend to focus on grander messages about the nature of a happy and fulfilled life, and this one is no exception.
What's the story?
Wesley Deeds (Tyler Perry) seems to have a perfect life. He's the CEO of his family's software business, lives in a swanky San Francisco apartment, drives a Porsche, and is engaged to a gorgeous woman (Gabrielle Union) from a just-as-posh family. But Wesley is just going through the motions to please his overbearing patrician mother (Phylicia Rashad) and overcompensate for his angry troublemaker of a little brother (Brian White) when he meets Lindsey (Thandie Newton), a down-and-out single mother who happens to be the night janitor in his building. As the two strike an unlikely bond, Wesley realizes everything that he's been missing in life by doing what others expect of him.
Is it any good?
Perry is such a powerful Hollywood player that he seems able to churn out anything and make a profit. In GOOD DEEDS, he creates yet another "message film" about what it means to have it all but want more (not in the material sense, but in the spiritual, life-affirming way Perry specializes in). He once again surrounds himself with a cast of fine actors, but there's something missing in this movie -- humor. For a filmmaker who started out as a comedian and who's best known for his character in drag (Madea), Perry's "dramedies" are heaving on the drama and low on the comedy.
The main problem is that Perry himself, despite his imposing height and size, isn't an actor of gravitas. As his compact on-screen brother, White possesses more of the screen (albeit in role that's a bit of a caricature) than the 6-foot-5 billionaire does. And as for the romantic subplots, Perry has zero chemistry with either Union or Newton, making any stilted declarations of love (whether physical or verbal) awkward and uninteresting. Wesley is just too bland to be a believable leading man, and his story so predictable that the audience knows exactly what will happen the moment Perry and Newton first meet-cute.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about Good Deeds' messages about family and fulfillment. Wesley's life seemed perfect, but he wasn't happy -- why? Teens: How can you balance honoring your parents and following your dreams?
Those familiar with Perry's other films can talk about the enduring popularity of his movies. Which do you enjoy more -- his dramas or his comedies, and why?
Perry's movies have been compared to morality plays. How do their overt messages -- to be honest, hardworking, faithful, etc. -- impact the film's entertainment value?
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Teen
February 25, 2012
AGE
Great
Really Great movie but you have to be old enough to understand the concepts.
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Teen, 13 years old
March 11, 2012
AGE
Pretty funny,good movie.
Great movie though contains lots of sexual references and sex talk but generally OK.
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Teen, 16 years old
July 4, 2012
AGE
good deeds is good indeed
this is a very good movie one of tyler perrys best
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Parent of 11 year old
July 17, 2012
AGE
Must Watch!
Good Deeds is not your normal Tyler Perry movie. It doesn't involve any comedy but it is a serious, fantastic movie! The story tells of a poor woman named Lindsey and her young daughter Ariel are trying to find some where to live. Lindsey is a night janitor for a business that a very rich man named Wesley (Tyler Perry) and Lindsey doesn't get payed very much. One late night Wesley sees Lindsey and starts to talk to her because they don't know each other very well. But one night Lindsey sneaks Ariel in the building to give Ariel a place to sleep and for her self (her janitors closet). Wesley sees them finally in the closet and feels bad. So Lindsey lies to Wesley why the were sleeping in here so they leave. The next day Lindsey finds a homeless shelter to stay at The first night is fine. But the next night is awful, a homeless man pushes the two out of the bed that they share and they leave scared. Then the next day at school for Ariel she tells the teacher that she has no where to stay and this is where it gets sad.... I'm not giving out too much!!! The only bad parts is when Lindsey is obviously drunk and one night Wesley drinks through his problems. The is one little brawl in the elevator between two brothers and some language in that scene. One of the brother murmurs " oh s**t " to him self quietly and the only other language is mild. And a couple has a "playdate" but it is cut off screen after 5 seconds. This sounds like what every one says when they really like a movie but this movie is truly my favorite movie. :)
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Parent of 5 year old
July 29, 2012
AGE
I hate Hollywood and their horrible mouths!
I'm disappointed in Tyler. He has started to let his Christian beliefs go to the wayside and it's showing in his movies. The language gets worse and worse every time. I never thought I would see a TP movie with "Godd*mn" in it! Every Christian knows that that is a word we should NEVER say and he shouldn't have it in his movies for others to have to hear. It's very offensive. I know it's in every movie anymore but I was always proud that he didn't have anyone say it in his (that I can recall or have heard) Tyler, please don't allow language like this in any more of your movies.. I would hate to have to quit going to see and buying your movies but I will and so will a lot of your fans.
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| Topics: | brothers and sisters, friendship |
| Studio: | Lionsgate |
| Director: | Tyler Perry |
| Cast: | Gabrielle Union, Thandie Newton, Tyler Perry |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 111 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 24, 2012 |
| DVD release date: | June 12, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual content, language, some violence and thematic material |
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