For Colored Girls

Director: Tyler Perry

Run Time: 2 Hours

Rating: R

The Bouw-Man.

Tyler Perry has to be one of the hardest working people in the showbiz industry today.  Seems like he makes at least two films a year (doing both the directing, producing and sometimes acting), continues to work on two TBS television shows (“House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns”) and also has found time to compose and work in some theater.  To think, he’s only really been around in Hollywood since 2002.  Due to his success, and many fans, he is able to make any type of movie he so chooses.  Whether it’s a silly comedy or a “hard as nails” drama, he has created an audience niche where enough people seem to come out for anything associated with Tyler Perry.  His name is a product, and so far public for the most part is buying what he’s selling. 

 

The trailer put together “For Colored Girls” is as scary to me as any of those horror films that made there way to the big screen over the last month.  If not for Tyler Perry and the fine assortment of African-American actors and actresses associated with this picture, I can’t imagine material such as this would have a lot mass appeal.  I got pretty depressed watching just the two-and-half minute preview, so I can imagine what people have to look forward to if they decide to go all the way and see the entire two-hour film.  I’ll assume the acting is pretty good based on the cast, but it just seems to be too angry and sad for it to be entertaining at all.

Prediction.

As stated earlier, Tyler Perry has created a pretty substantial following.  Based on this fact alone, the film should do OK financially.  However, for the non-Tyler Perry fans, I don’t think there’s much incentive or reward to see “For Colored Girls.”  $18 million opening weekend sounds right for a wide release of small appeal.    

Opening Weekend Gross: $18 Million

Noodles.

When I saw the preview for this I was immediately struck with a sense of excitement and foreboding. The excitement came from seeing so many talented actresses in one film that has the potential to be a really quality drama. The negative feeling I had came when I saw that Tyler Perry wrote, directed, and produced the movie. 

To be clear I am a big fan of Tyler Perry the business man. What he did to secure his programs on TBS was gutsy and brilliant in this age where black shows either have to be Seinfeld out of the gate or they get canceled. I'm a big fan of his character Madea. I think its a hilarious, sometimes thoughtful study in African-American culture. My problem is that for every good play or movie that he makes, there are several more that range from okay to mediocre. (Can anyone say "Meet The Browns"?) So what I'm hoping for in  'For Colored Girls' is that he took his time to really polish the script, and just let these glorious ladies play.

Prediction.

Tyler Perry has a pretty steady opening weekend number. His fan base is pretty reliable to come out for at least $15-25 Million most of the time. If the reviews are to be believed this film is probably going to rank at the lower end of the scale. For my prediction, I will say that this under performs his usual films and clocks in just under $15 Million.

Opening Weekend: Gross: $14 Million

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