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Parents' Guide to

Tyler Perry's Good Deeds

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Message movie lacks humor to draw in teens.

Movie PG-13 2012 111 minutes
Tyler Perry's Good Deeds Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 4 parent reviews

thetruth561
thetruth561 Adult
April 18, 2020
age 10+

The Truth

I have no idea at all why this movie is rate so bad. You have no taste in MOVIE! It's a very good movie that has a lot of positive message. There isn't nothing really bad about the movie and it deserves a chance.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Aidens_Mommy
Aidens_Mommy Parent of 5-year-old
July 29, 2012
age 15+

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.

This title has:

Too much swearing
See all 4 parent reviews

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 (Thandiwe 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?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (2 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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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