Tyler Perry's A Madea Family Funeral

“Despite some characters feeling stereotypical, A Madea Family Funeral takes an honest look at the Black experience during mourning.”

Title: Tyler Perry's A Madea Family Funeral (2019)
Director: Tyler Perry 👨🏾🇺🇸
Writer: Tyler Perry 👨🏾🇺🇸

Reviewed by Aaron Johnson 👨🏾🇺🇸

Note: This review was commissioned by Lionsgate. The content and methodology remain 100% independent and in line with Mediaversity's non-commissioned reviews.

Technical: 2.5/5

The impact and growth of creator Tyler Perry’s work—from stage plays at churches to multimillion-dollar films—has proven to be an impressive feat. However, A Madea Family Funeral disappoints. Despite the cast’s dedication, most of the characters are clichéd or unlikable, especially reflected through the titular “Madea”. Perry’s comedic, foul-mouthed alter ego has suddenly become an uninspired performance that feels phoned in.

While Funeral boasts an interesting ensemble that touches on important themes like generational trauma and family grief, the execution suffers from a lack of focus. The subplot of AJ (Courtney Burrell) and Carol's (KJ Smith) dying marriage being a result of AJ’s fear of comparisons to his deceased father Anthony (Derek Morgan) has potential; however there’s not enough time devoted to fleshing it out. Instead, more time is devoted to the banter between Madea and her friends Bam (Cassi Davis) and Hattie (Patrice Lovely). And while the comedic scenes do work, including the slapstick between Madea and the rest of the cast, there is no tonal balance. Ultimately, there’s a great story somewhere trying to break through a very average movie.

Gender: 3/5
Does it pass the Bechdel Test? NOPE

The portrayal of women in A Madea Family Funeral feels like a step back in Perry’s overall work. The film begins with Vianna (Jen Harper) and Anthony’s anniversary party being planned by their daughter Silvia (Ciera Payton) and sister-in-law Carol. Helping them is the family friend Renee (Quin Walters), who hides that she is actually Anthony’s mistress.

The revelation of Renee’s secret puts the blame on her and makes her a villain. In contrast, AJ’s emotional abuse and infidelity towards Gia (Aeriel Miranda), Carol, and Renee is framed in a way meant to make you sympathize with him: His coldness towards his wife and family are glossed over due to his excuse of “my father just died”. In another instance, Gia is the fiancée of AJ’s virtuous brother Jesse (Rome Flynn) but she only exists to illustrate the differences between the brothers and serves little to the plot herself.

The women do eventually find their personal strengths, but by the time it happens there’s no time left for any development. For example, Vianna stands up to her husband’s emotional abuse after his death. This is quickly resolved as she drives off into the sunset with her secret boyfriend.

Race: 4/5

Like all of Perry’s films, A Madea Family Funeral features an all-Black cast. Despite some characters feeling stereotypical, the movie takes an honest look at the Black experience during mourning. Concerns of having a funeral so soon after a death is common among Black households. There were moments that felt like I was watching my own family on screen.

I also appreciate the commentary on racial tension in America. The scene with Brian (Tyler Perry) being harassed by a hostile white police officer balances humor and tension well. Madea’s commentary on unprovoked killings effortlessly captures the distrust and fear of law enforcement in the Black community. Reflecting the current Black experience is where Perry seems most comfortable and shines.

Deduction for Disability: -0.50

Heathrow (Tyler Perry), who uses a motorized wheelchair, receives poor treatment. Depicted as a nuisance to the family, we see no real development with this character outside of lazy punchlines involving his disability.

The jokes surrounding his electrolarynx are particularly tasteless. He uses the battery-operated machine to produce a voice, but it’s treated as an annoyance to the point where each time he uses it, someone threatens to destroy the device.

Mediaversity Grade: C 3.00/5

Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral feels like a paint-by-numbers plot with forced humor. Despite the well-intentioned message of self love, the protagonists are flat or unlikable. The film masterfully portrays a dysfunctional family, but unlike in Perry’s previous work, there is little “redemption” among the characters to help round out the story. As the finale to Perry’s Madea series, A Madea Family Funeral fails to offer a satisfying conclusion.

Like Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral? Try these other Black-led comedies.

Grade: CLiMarch 1, 2019