A few years ago Tyler Perry made a movie version of his play "Why Did I Get Married." It was a fair success. Now he follows it with a sequel titled "Why Did I Get Married Too?" One trip to this well was enough. The cast, returning from the first film, is good enough but the story is shrill and unnerving. By the time a tacky ending arrives the audience is ready for something a little lighter and a little brighter. Where is Madea when you need her?
The storyline follows four couples and their ups and downs in marriage. They are Terry and Dianne (Tyler Perry and Sharon Leal); Gavin and Patricia (Malik Yoba and Janet Jackson); Troy and Sheila (Lamman Rucker and Jill Scott); Marcus and Angela (Michael Jai White and Tasha Smith). Sheila's ex-husband Mike (Richard T. Jones) also is still a part of the couples' lives.
Each of these couples has problems which are explored over the course of the film. Some are treated lightly while others are given more depth. In each relationship the problems dominate the plot although there are intermittent stretches of humor. The film seems to be building to a cohesive resolution of the stories but then it doesn't. It just cuts off with many of the problems being unresolved. Maybe that is Perry's subtle way to set up "Why Did I Get Married Three?"
The actors are all competent in their roles with Janet Jackson being selected to get the most dramatic scenes. She is very impressive at times and less so at others. She does show a willingness to be seen at her most disheveled. Perry's acting indicates he could have handled a more difficult role but is never given the opportunity to do more than react to Leal's performance.
Louis Gossett, Jr and Cicely Tyson pop up for a cameo as a long time married couple. What they add to the plot is never discerned. They have their two scenes and are not seen again.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and violence.
As a general rule Perry's movies are either a lot of fun or full of heartwarming events, and sometimes both. This movie however is just too laden with the burdens of the various relationships. Every couple in this film has a boatload of problems and they are not handled in such a manner as to offer solutions.
Since there is not a sense of resolution to this film the audience might wonder what is its purpose. Is it supposed to give finality to the issues raised in the first film or is it setting up the third chapter in a series of movies? Only Tyler Perry knows, and for now he isn't telling.
I scored "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too?" a questionable 5 out of 10.
Jackie K. Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com