Tyler Perrys Why Did I Get Married (DVD, 2008)

Tyler Perry has ascended to the status of media mogul on the strength of his combination of Christian morality slapstick comedy and soap-operatic melodrama. In 2005 his play DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN was adapted for the screen and became the surprise hit of the season. With positive portrayals of black characters and family-friendly--but decidedly not boring--themes the film appealed to a broad audience and gave rise to numerous spin-offs. Madea is absent from Perry's most recent film WHY DID I GET MARRIED? but the subject matter is just as universal and features an engaging cast that counts Perry among its members.Four couples who have been friends since college take a therapeutic getaway to a Colorado bungalow where they plan to take stock of their relationships. They are led by successful psychiatrist Patricia (Janet Jackson) who has a picturesque marriage to Gavin (Malik Yoba). Nothing is perfect however and secrets and old scars soon emerge pitting friend against friend and spouse against spouse. R&B singer Jill Scott shines as Sheila the oft-derided overweight wife of Mike (Richard T. Jones GIRLFRIENDS) who arrives on the scene with a sexy young "friend" (Tasha Jones YOU ME AND DUPREE) to shake things up a bit. Retribution and forgiveness follow with the requisite admonitions and apologies made realistic by the skill of the cast.