Tyler Perry's latest film, "Divorce In The Black," stars Meagan Good as Ava and Cory Hardrict as Dallas, a couple whose tumultuous marriage and subsequent divorce form the core of the narrative. While Perry is known for his ability to blend drama, comedy, and heartfelt moments, this film unfortunately feels like a collage of conflicting scripts, making it difficult to follow the emotional journey intended.
The movie begins with Ava heartbroken as Dallas deserts their marriage. As the story progresses, Dallas' malicious actions come to light, allowing Ava to embark on a journey to find true love with her destined soulmate. Despite this promising premise, "Divorce In The Black" struggles to maintain a coherent emotional throughline.
Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict portray Ava and Dallas, a couple whose relationship appears to be founded on pure happenstance rather than genuine connection. Dallas is depicted as an almost cartoonishly evil man, devoid of any signs of redemption or remorse. Throughout the film, Ava's parents and best friend, Rona (played by Taylor Polidore), consistently remind her of Dallas' inherent terribleness, reinforcing the notion that their marriage was doomed from the start.
The film's title leaves no room for surprise regarding the couple's divorce, which feels more like a final nail in the coffin than a pivotal plot point. The black-and-white morality in "Divorce In The Black" fails to address the nuanced connection between socioeconomic class and violence. Dallas' family, lacking the wealth and influence of Ava's, is depicted as mere villains without any depth or complexity. Brief flashbacks attempt to show moments of happiness between Ava and Dallas, but these moments are told rather than shown, leaving the audience disconnected from their past relationship.
One of the film's most glaring issues is its failure to adhere to the rule of "show, don't tell." Key actions and developments occur offscreen, with the narrative only escalating when things have already reached a breaking point. The opening scene, which must be seen to be believed, pits the entire town against Dallas and his family from the start, ensuring that no one could possibly sympathize with him.
For the first 30 minutes, it is demoralizing to watch Ava's determination to stay with a man who offers her nothing. While this is a natural part of many survivors' experiences, it is exciting to see her eventually turn over a new leaf and begin to come into her own. Meagan Good carries the emotional weight of the story on her shoulders, with few scenes where she is not central. Despite Good's talent as a performer, the script and character do her a disservice, as Ava lacks traits and experiences outside of her romances. However, in the final act, Ava takes control of her life, providing a refreshing change.
"Divorce In The Black" had the potential to be an engaging and enjoyable film, but its pacing and disjointed narrative ultimately fail to maintain attention. There are moments of light and strong story beats, but they are too far apart and loosely connected. If anyone is looking for a drama that could easily pass as a comedy, Perry's new movie might suffice, but it leaves much to be desired for those seeking a sincere and cohesive storyline.
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