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Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns

Buzz says:   MPAA Rating: PG-13
Current Showtimes: No showtimes available

There are times when one remarkable star can lift the quality of a mediocre screenplay and make the audience feel so much sympathy for their character, compelling the audience to appreciate the film on that one basic level. Angela Bassett does this for Tyler Perry’s latest comedy Meet the Browns.

While many remember Bassett’s roles in Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Grove Back, people forget the dynamic power of this remarkable actress. For years Bassett has been one of the most underappreciated actresses delivering impressive, multidimensional real characters from Betty Shabazz in Malcolm X, Tina Turner in What’s Love Gotta Do With It, Rosa Park in The Rosa Parks Story and fictional women in John Sayles’ City of Hope and Sunshine State.

Meet the Browns continues the family tale of Tyler Perry’s Brown clan that was created for television, video and previous films. The multitalented Perry writes, directs, and co-stars in this tale of a Chicago single mother of three (Bassett) who learns of her father’s sudden death and is invited to his funeral in rural Georgia. Since she never met her father the trip to the funeral is one of family discovery. In a rather predictable blend of serious urban melodrama and silly family comedy, Perry sets Brenda’s (Bassett) life back on track as she faces a choice of leaving the inner city for the stability and tranquility of the South.

Perry’s regulars provide an appropriate mix of raucous humor and silliness: Tamela J. Mann, David Mann, Jenifer Lewis and Frankie Faison are standouts. Former Celtics and Lakers star Rick Fox also delivers a believably charming romantic lead as a basketball coach who becomes a much needed father figure for Brenda’s son, while quietly stealing her heart. Meet the Browns is an entertaining film that will please many.