I'm not usually a fan of Tyler Perry movies but when I watched I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009), I realised that a low rating does not always mean a movie is bad. Some movies can be far more entertaining than critics give them credit for. Not every movie will appeal to everyone and sometimes a story that gets mixed reviews can still offer something worthwhile to the right audience.
Seeing Taraji P. Henson on the cast was what drew my attention. She has appeared as lead in some of Perry's movies and she is talented as an actress. In this movie that mixes comedy, drama, family troubles and the possibility of change, she shows through impressive acting what happens when the person who needs saving the most is the one who refuses to admit it.
Written, directed and produced by Tyler Perry, I Can Do Bad All By Myself is an American romantic comedy drama starring Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, Brian White, Mary J. Blige and other supporting actors.
The movie is about April (Taraji P. Henson), a nightclub singer who has built a life around herself and has little interest in taking responsibility for anyone else. She enjoys her independence, drinks too much and spends much of her time with her married boyfriend, Randy (Brian White). Then things take an unexpected turn when she discovers three children breaking into her home to steal food. The children are her late sister's kids and their situation leaves April with an unwanted responsibility.
The children's arrival forces April to confront a part of her life she has been avoiding. She is not interested in becoming anyone's guardian and the children are dealing with their own pain and uncertainty. Then Sandino (Adam Rodriguez), a Mexican immigrant enters her life as a handyman and gradually becomes an important presence in the household. Unlike April, he is patient, caring and willing to offer help without expecting much in return.
His relationship with April develops as she begins to question some of her choices and consider the possibility that she deserves more than the life she has settled for. With the children needing guidance, she struggling with her personal life and Sandino offering a shoulder to lean on, will she let people in and allow herself to change?
My Review And Rating
Though this movie is rated quite low which has become a common thing with Tyler Perry's movies, I still enjoyed watching it. The plot is a familiar one that touches on the theme of second chances and finding oneself. The storytelling is averagely okay but the acting is what makes the film interesting.
Taraji P. Henson delivers convincing acting as April and I like that this character is not presented as a perfect person who suddenly becomes good because children enter her life. She can be selfish and stubborn to the point that you want to ask her what she is doing with herself especially when she puts her relationship with Randy ahead of her wellbeing. April is a character I believe most viewers can relate with. I found Henson's performance engaging as she can be sharp and funny one moment and then let the hurt beneath April's behaviour show in the next.
The other actors were spectacular in their roles, especially Adam Rodriguez and Mary J Blige. I liked the chemistry between Henson and Rodriguez, it was convincing. Also, the addition of the Madea scenes grounds the movie as Perry's work and further enhances the comedy part.
One part of this movie that didn't sit well with me is how the emotional issues are handled. April's repeated return to Randy (Brian White) even when his unwillingness to leave his marriage becomes painfully obvious, can be frustrating to watch. I wish the movie had explored more deeply why she remains attached to him instead of relying heavily on their arguments and emotional confrontations. The children's experiences also deserved more attention. Their loss and emotional difficulties are serious matters yet the film moves past them too quickly like it's on a time crunch.
Still, I like that the movie focuses on how people can become trapped in unhealthy relationships, hide behind their independence and struggle to accept the help they need.
Rating this movie, I'd give it 7 out of 10 stars. I Can Do Bad All By Myself is an imperfect but watchable comedy drama with a strong central performance by Taraji P. Henson and a story that touches on some relatable struggles.
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Rating: 70/100
