A Madea Family Funeral

Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry, Bow Wow, Loretta Devine, Isaiah Mustafa, Natalie Desselle, Crystal Collins
2011
United States
Completed
English
106 minutes
Detailed introduction
This film (drama)Also known asMadea's Big Happy Family,is aUnited StatesProducerwomen sex,At2011Released in year
。The dialogue language isEnglish,Current Douban rating6.7(For reference only)。
Madea, the beloved and outrageous character, continues her wild and comedic journey on screen. Upon learning that her niece Shirley is in poor health, Madea rushes over to visit her without a second thought. Shirley is indeed in a very bad state; battling cancer, she wishes to see her three adult children before she "passes away." Respecting her wishes, Madea brings back Tammy, Kimberly, and Byron. Initially, the family gets along well, sharing small stories from their lives. However, as time goes on, familial tensions start to surface.
Shirley's three children each face their own struggles: Tammy's child is unruly and undisciplined, which she feels helpless about, and she is also frustrated by her failed marriage; Kimberly often inexplicably snaps at her husband, her anger often directed towards him unfairly; Byron, on the other hand, has had the toughest life; after spending two years in prison for drug use, he seems to be on the verge of relapse, burdened by the pressure to use drugs again.
Now, the challenge falls on Madea’s shoulders as she strives to help the entire family get back on track. In this process of "putting things back in order," Madea demonstrates her "wild love" for her family, her understanding of life, and countless humorous moments. Of course, the road is bumpy, and family secrets are uncovered along the way. However, the outcome remains consistently heartwarming.
One-Sentence Review
It still embodies the classic Tyler Perry comedic style.
— Chicago Tribune
It humorously showcases contemporary American family life.
— USA Today
Behind the Scenes
From Stage to Screen
The film is directed by Tyler Perry, a successful African American writer and director in Hollywood in recent years. His produced film "Precious" garnered significant acclaim at the Oscars, and his independently made film "For Colored Girls" dazzled with an all-star cast. However, Tyler Perry's forte remains in producing outrageous African American comedies. While these films may not hold the societal depth of "Precious" or the poetic and artistic quality of "For Colored Girls," they are highly popular among African American audiences.
This film, "Madea's Family Funeral," is adapted from Tyler Perry's play of the same name, which features a fictional character named Shirley who is diagnosed with cancer and knows her time is limited. Her wish is to gather her children around her to leave this world surrounded by family. The character of Shirley is inspired by Tyler Perry’s mother. In 2009, Tyler’s mother was diagnosed with cancer and passed away shortly after. Events that surrounded his mother’s final days motivated Tyler Perry to write the play's script, subsequently adapting it into a film script. Tyler Perry states, "Every family goes through these things; someone leaves, and not everyone’s life is perfect. It’s normal, and the key is how you deal with it. Some will be devastated by the loss, while others will find determination. Overall, I hope these experiences encourage people to reevaluate their lives. There are always family fluctuations before and after a loved one’s passing because everyone has their own life experiences, yet the changes in a loved one bring them back together. Old conflicts, dissatisfaction with life, and unhealed grievances will surface at such times. This story comes entirely from life; that’s why I kept the play relatively serious. However, on screen, I adapted it into a comedy. I don’t want audiences to feel sad when they see someone passing on screen because life doesn’t mourn with you; we have to keep moving forward. Yet, if you have similar life experiences, you're bound to be touched by this story."
The leads from the stage version, Shad Gaspard, Natalie Desselle, and Tyler Perry himself in a drag role as Madea, all appear in the film version. Regarding the transition from stage to screen, Shad Gaspard remarks, "The sensations are quite different; making a film and performing on stage are two concepts. Although they share some similarities, they are still two different systems. Personally, making a film feels slightly easier; there’s no strict timing, and you can look back at your performance and continuously make adjustments. However, the challenge lies in precision, as every expression will be seen by the audience on screen. Each shot in the film is relatively independent, so I must focus on my part, while on stage, all actors are a cohesive unit, needing to coordinate and interact.”
Back on Track
Since "Madea's Family Reunion" in 2006, Tyler Perry's "Madea series," centered around the character Madea, has been successfully running for five years. These films share a common theme, always focusing on family conflicts, starting from the issues and ending with their resolution; Tyler Perry also often plays the role of Madea himself. Without exception, these films are aimed at African American audiences, showcasing jokes, humor, and unique dialects found in the culture.
In recent years, Tyler Perry has slowed down his production of comedies to pursue films reflecting the realities of African American life. However, for Tyler’s fans, he is still that comedy director. Tyler says, "For me personally, it’s vital to make a film that audiences love and that gets wide distribution. Furthermore, in comedies, I cannot envision a better theme than family comedies, so I had to return to Madea, extract a story from life, and turn it into a film. I am very excited to once again film the story of Madea and her family, and Lionsgate continues to support me in making it." Regarding his drag performance, Tyler humorously states, "It’s practically a hallmark of these films; if I wasn't playing Madea, much of the appeal would be lost. Since the audience enjoys seeing me portray Madea on screen and stage, why not cater to their desires?"
Lionsgate is equally delighted, as Tyler Perry's "Madea series" is a budget-friendly endeavor. With low investment and a dedicated fanbase, it is easy to recover costs and even turn a profit. Mike Pesce, head of Lionsgate’s production department, states, "Tyler Perry's films have a loyal audience, and family dramas often yield surprising results, so we are eager to produce such a movie. With strong DVD sales of the play, we are confident in this film. There hasn’t been another character like Madea on screen; even similar figures don’t exist. We don’t want this unique cinematic character to fade away. For us, Tyler Perry is like family; his talent, humor in his creations, spontaneity, music, and appreciation for African American culture are our wealth and treasures. It’s also these qualities that give Tyler a stable fanbase. His films never lack an audience."
Trivia
- The film is adapted from the play of the same name written by Tyler Perry in 2009 and staged in 2010.
- This is the eleventh film in Tyler Perry's family series.