Not Just 'For Colored Girls,' but an Excellent Movie for Everyone

By JAMIA JORDAN

Converting Ntozake Shange’s award-winning “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf” from stage to screen is clearly not an easy task, nor one that just anyone should even attempt to tackle.

Based off of this 1976 Broadway play, Tyler Perry yet again succeeded in finding a way to carry his audience through the ups and downs, pains and joy, love and hate of the lives of the characters in his film “For Colored Girls.”

This film opened this weekend reaching a gross of $20,100,000. It did very well in the box office, especially when compared with other newly released films such as “Jackass 3D,” “Secretariat,” and “Conviction” which all individually received lower than $6,000,000 in their opening weekend gross.

“For Colored Girls” focused on the lives of nine African American women and their struggles predominately with men and love. They each had their own story, but still in a sense connected with one another. Many of the characters started out as complete strangers, but as the interrelated chain of relationships progressed throughout the film, their circle and bondness of woman-hood grew tighter. By the end of the film they were all there for one another, and became unexpected companions during some of the most terrifying moments of their lives.

I had the pleasure of seeing this film on a Saturday night with a few friends. I really enjoyed it. It was definitely a different move for Tyler Perry, especially if you have seen some of his other works. For one, this was the first film that he’s written and directed that’s not based on his own material.

One thing that I did notice in this film was that all the men were “bad.” For the most part, they were the center of almost all of the pain. The theme of this movie is centered on pain. This dramatic film is definitely an eye opener.

I encourage anyone who loves dramatic films with talented actresses such as Janet Jackson, Kerry Washington, and Loretta Divine just to name a few, to go check out this movie. It definitely gets you to thinking and makes you appreciate what you have.

Unlike what the common perception of the word “colored” might have on some people, everyone woman is a woman of color. This film takes you through the struggle that all woman of any race might have with her man.

Overall, this was yet another great film done by Tyler Perry. The story is a bit lopsided and unfair to men, but overall some serious issues are addressed and discussed so be conscious of that, and bring your tissues.