Tyler Perry's New Family Affair

By
Shirea L. Carroll

He has done it again. How is still uncertain, but as predictable as Tyler Perry’s plays-turned-movies are, his newest flick, A Family That Preys, manages to evoke real emotion in spite of its predictability.

Produced, directed, and written by Perry, A Family That Preys stars Alfred Woodard and Kathy Bates, as Alice And Charolette, two close friends and matriarchs doing their best to keep their families together. Total opposites racially, economically, and morally, both families find themselves connected in the midst of scandal, deceit, and hardship.

Like so many of Perry’s box office hits, anything and everything that could possibly go wrong does. Sanaa Lathan as Woodard’s newlywed daughter, Andrea, is having difficulty securing a job, which leads to bigger issues respecting the marital vows she took with husband Chris, played by Rockmond Dunbar. Actor Cole Hauser, plays William Cartwright, a man who believes he has it all, while leaving those closest to him with nothing. Overcome by greed and arrogance, the only way William knows how to play is unfair. Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson, and KaDee Strickland are also featured in the movie with supporting roles that provide the film extra drama, laughter, and secrets.

Allowing the audience to witness the characters highest of highs, and lowest of lows, Perry knows the formula to truly connect with his audience and make them feel. Not just pay, watch, and laugh but to really feel, and somehow relate to every character and their story. This is especially true in one scene where one of the characters slaps another character – a scene so good, details will be spared so as to not ruin the impact.

In spite of the best slap scene ever, A Family That Preys lacks surprises. Even in a Tyler Perry film where he is not dressed up as his most famous character, Madea doesn’t make an appearance, it’s easy to figure out who is going to do what and why.

But what A Family That Preys does have in abundance shouldn’t surprise anyone familiar with Perry’s work: Drama that runs the gamut of emotions topped off with an ending that satisfies