GOOD DEEDS

US, 2012, 110 minutes, Colour.
Tyler Perry, Thandie Newton, Gabrielle Union, Brian White, Eddie Cibrian, Phylicia Rashid, Jordenn Thompson.
Directed by Tyler Perry.

Good Deeds was written and directed by Tyler Perry. Perry has written and acted in a number of humorous films with his character, Madea. He also appeared as Alex cross, James Patterson’s detective who had been played previously by Morgan Freeman.

This is a different presentation of African- American life in the United States. Perry appears as a wealthy CEO, inheriting the company from his father, who was an expert in IT and taking over companies. His mother, Phylicia Rashid, comes from a poor background but has become snobbish. His brother, played by Brian White, is resentful and irresponsible. Perry is engaged to socialite, Gabrielle Union, but not satisfied in the relationship.

Thandie Newton is a working class mother with the young child, her husband having been killed in Iraq. She encounters Perry in difficult situations. However, they get to know each other, he helping her, and the young daughter. He is fairly straight-laced she changes him. She becomes more mellow.

The performances and the screenplay are better than they might sound. There is an underlying humanity in the film, thanks to Tyler Perry and his various contributions to the film.

1. A Tyler Perry film? Writing, directing, acting? An African- American perspective, achievement?

2. San Francisco, the affluent world, mansions, socials, offices and buildings? The contrast with poverty, apartments, being ousted, on the street, the car? Musical score?

3. The title, the Deeds family? Wesley and good deeds? Walter and bad deeds? Their mother?

4. The African American success? The father, IT, his work, discoveries, buying the companies, making a fortune? His status, his death? His wife? Her lowly origins? Her snobbery? Wesley as the CEO, Walter and his ambitions, resentments?

5. The introduction to Wesley, Tyler Perry and his age, appearance, hard work, relationship, his fiancée? His cold personality? Devoted to the company, long hours? Walter and the tensions? The car, Lindsay taking the spot, Walter’s reaction, the tow truck? Wesley’s being kinder? The issues of the client
and the takeover, the finances, John and his efficiency? Walter and his criticisms, tantrums? Waters for references to his father?

6. The introduction to Lindsey, her husband dead in Iraq, her having to give up her nursing course, her love for her daughter? The job as a janitor? Trying to preserve her job, to get better hours for her daughter? Issues of school, day-care, night-care? Her abrasive manner and people’s reactions? The apartment, the landlord, no money, her being ousted, everything on the street? Taking the parking spot? Her surly attitudes? Attitude towards the work arrangers? Having to stay with her daughter in the car?

7. Meeting Wesley, talking with him, discovering that he was the boss, her backing down, his kindness, the car, taking Lindsay and her daughter for pizza, her suspicions, his kindness, her story about the friend coming to fix the car? Staying in the car?

8. Wesley, his type, personality, everything planned, routines, his fiancée finding him boring? The engagement, the plans, his mother’s influence, the social gossip, Lindsay turning up? Lindsay and her work, the timetables, bringing her daughter? Wesley’s consideration? Offering them the company apartment? Lindsay and her and my amazement? Settling in? Her not wanting to be indebted to Wesley?

9. The scene for the takeover, the deal, John, Wesley, Walter and his tantrum and anger? John and his ability to fix things? Walter’s jealousy?

10. The outings with Lindsey, her comments, the possibility for change, his stress and tie, work routines, sexual encounter with his fiancee?

11. Lindsey and her calming down, her work, with her daughter, with Wesley? Helping him?

12. Wesley and his fiancée, the party, her drinking, the return home, their talking, her accusing him of being boring, the next morning and her regrets? The sense that the marriage would not work?

13. The discussion, calling of the wedding, going to the party, people’s reaction, his mother?

14. Wesley and his decision to give up the company, handing over to John? The travel, to go to Africa? Offering the ticket for Lindsey and her daughter?
The decision to go?

15. The happy ending, American style, fulfilling American dreams? Hopeful?