There is a lot to unpack for this film. I like the film but, there are a few things that could have made the film a little better. I believe Tyler Perry failed to emotionally tie viewers to this film. I like films where you are on the edge of your set and want to watch the film all the way to the end. About halfway into the movie, I wanted to take a break and watch the rest later. I will try to break it down into the good, the bad, and, the unknown.
The Good- The beginning of the film did take me back to my childhood of having crab boils, spending time with family, and singing and dancing. It did take me to a place of nostalgia. The music was good. It wasn't great but, it was good. The costumes and scenery were amazing. Some of the actors did a great job of bringing some sort of emotion out of me.
The Bad-I have seen several, if not, all of Tyler Perry's movies and plays. There is usually a reference to The Color Purple somewhere. The reference I found was when Leanne was giving birth and the whole African dance scene. This reminded me of when Celie was about to shave Mister. They would cut back and forth from Celie to the African ceremony. The same thing took place here. The scene would cut back and forth between Leanne giving birth and the African dance scene. I guess this was to draw some sort of emotion from the viewer. I believe it failed to do so. There was a lack of chemistry between Bayou and Leanne. There could have been more time spent developing their love story. The important parts of the movie are long and drawn out. The least important parts are rushed. Some of the southern accents seemed forced. The acting could have been better for some of them.
The Unknown- Why did the father hate Bayou so much? What is Leanne's back story? If the man in the movie isn't Bayou's dad, who is? Why is Bayou's family the way they are?
The movie had the potential to be better than it was. I liked it but probably wouldn't watch it again,
The Good- The beginning of the film did take me back to my childhood of having crab boils, spending time with family, and singing and dancing. It did take me to a place of nostalgia. The music was good. It wasn't great but, it was good. The costumes and scenery were amazing. Some of the actors did a great job of bringing some sort of emotion out of me.
The Bad-I have seen several, if not, all of Tyler Perry's movies and plays. There is usually a reference to The Color Purple somewhere. The reference I found was when Leanne was giving birth and the whole African dance scene. This reminded me of when Celie was about to shave Mister. They would cut back and forth from Celie to the African ceremony. The same thing took place here. The scene would cut back and forth between Leanne giving birth and the African dance scene. I guess this was to draw some sort of emotion from the viewer. I believe it failed to do so. There was a lack of chemistry between Bayou and Leanne. There could have been more time spent developing their love story. The important parts of the movie are long and drawn out. The least important parts are rushed. Some of the southern accents seemed forced. The acting could have been better for some of them.
The Unknown- Why did the father hate Bayou so much? What is Leanne's back story? If the man in the movie isn't Bayou's dad, who is? Why is Bayou's family the way they are?
The movie had the potential to be better than it was. I liked it but probably wouldn't watch it again,