The Red and Black

Issue date: 9/29/08 Section: Variety

"The Family that Preys" involves dynamics between interracial families. [Click to enlarge]

"My family has been known to prey on the weak-minded." Charlotte, played by Kathy Bates effectively confesses this line as she puts her company's fate in her son's hands.

Tyler Perry's movie "The Family that Preys" finds itself between an over-plotted soap-opera and witty character study. "Prey" refers to the irony of dynamics between interracial families. Alice (Alfre Woodard) realizes that her family is at fault for taking advantage of others when her daughters' dirty laundry is hung out to dry.

Perry comprised a motivating force of performances from his most well-known casting selections to date. "The Family that Preys" is Perry's second film released this year. Perry, proud of his hometown of Atlanta, has filmed all of his movies and his television show "House of Payne" in Atlanta on meager budgets and has made millions of dollars.

This film was created similar to his more serious melodramas such as "Daddy's Little Girls" or "Why Did I Get Married?" He impressively produces, writes, directs and stars in all of his projects. His religious theatrical background hasn't smoothly translated on the screen to most critics, but his loyal fan base continuously flocks to theaters to admire his work. There is a guarantee of laughter and loud gasps whenever you see a Perry film.

The movie centers on two families, the wealthy money-hungry Cartwrights and the working class Pratts. They are brought together by the close relationships of their matriarchs. Charlotte (Bates) is arrogant and immature, and Alice (Woodard) is reserved and sensible. The women are complete opposites in terms of motherhood, morality and business.

Yet the characters are brought together by differences. Each wants the traits the other is lacking. Their friendship leads them to a cross-country road trip that Charlotte says is similar to "Oprah and Gayle," best friends featured on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Their children are left at home to run the family businesses, a powerful construction company and a homely diner as well as deal with their own sins and questionable family lives. Charlotte's son, William (Cole Hauser) is a scheming tyrant looking for his mother's approval to head the company. He works with Abby (Robin Givens) and Alice's older daughter, Andrea ( Sanaa Lathan).

The plot twists are similar to Perry's other plays and movies. Secrets are discovered and lives are changed in the flash of one scene. I challenge Perry to move out of his clichés and proposed stereotypes. His movies are without a doubt some of the most entertaining to watch, but they are corny and dated.

In all, I responded to the movie the same way I reacted to Tyler Perry's choice of wigs: funny and surprising, but in desperate need of renovation.

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