Freelance Writing Jobs | Today's Articles | Sign In

I Can Do Bad All by Myself

Film Review

Sep 13, 2009 Bernice McWilliams

Taraji compels us to watch her train wreck in I Can Do Bad All by Myself only to wonder if she'll survive the aftermath.

I Can Do Bad All by Myself is yet another in the arsenal of plays to cinema productions of the L.A Times dubbed ‘Cultural Monster’ Tyler Perry. It’s a predictable, yet, engaging story of April, played by Oscar nominated actress Taraji P. Henson, a nightclub singer whose life is in upheaval when her sister’s three orphaned children darken her doorstep hoping she'll take them in.

April Played by Taraji P. Henson

April is introduced to the audience in full-blown 60s regalia compromising an Angela Davis size afro, black mini dress and oversized hoop earrings as she belts out a vibrant re-arranged rendition of the Queen of Soul’s Rock Steady. It is an appropriate euphemism for her life, where everything she does is carefully selected to avoid rocking the boat or disrupt the status quo. This is particularly on display when April tap dances to please her selfish boyfriend Randy (Brian J. White), who she puts up with because he pays her way in life. It appears the night gig is maintained for its booty of free alcohol.

The children: Jennifer (Hope Olaide Wilson), Manny (Kwesi Boakye) and Byron (Frederick Siglar) are foisted upon her by Madea (Tyler Perry) after the children attempted to rob her home and were foiled by none other than Madea and her cantankerous brother Joe (Tyler Perry). They were trying to acquire money for food since their grandmother and sole caretaker hadn’t returned home in four days.

Music Advances the Story in I Can do Bad All by Myself

April reluctantly allowed them to stay until she could locate her mother. The list of uninvited houseguests increase when Pastor Brian (Marvin Winans) sends Colombian handyman Sandino (Adam Rodriguez), an exile seeking amnesty and a better way of life in America, to reside with her in exchange of needed house repairs. Each individual jeopardizes her relationship with Randy and existence as she knows it.

This story utilizes music to progress the storyline and reinforce the sage wisdom dispersed by her best friend Tanya (Mary J. Blige), family neighbor Wilma (Gladys Knight) and Pastor Brian (Marvin Winans). While Mary J. Blige’s riveting delivery of the title song was on par and Glady’s solo was heart rendering the other songs would have benefited from brevity.

I Can Do Bad All by Myself is a much more cohesive storyline than some of the previous offerings from Perry. It’s an engaging tale because Taraji convinces from the onset that she is a woman on the verge of change even though she resists it every step of the way.

The copyright of the article I Can Do Bad All by Myself in Film Dramas is owned by Bernice McWilliams. Permission to republish I Can Do Bad All by Myself in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Taraji belting out Aretha's Rock Steady