You have to be living under a rock not to notice the large number of couples breaking up this month.  Sandra Bullock’s world came to a screeching halt after her much deserved Oscar win.  Lance Gross and Eva Marcille called it quits after Gross gushed about his impending nuptials.   Even Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush couldn’t make it their second go around.  Apparently, March is not only Women’s History month, but “national break-up month.”

In Tyler Perry’s latest film, Why Did I Get Married Too?, he addresses what happens after the happily ever-after of the first film with the same title.  The couples go on their annual retreat from their busy lives to the Bahamas.  While there, we see that these couples’ happily ever-afters have holes in them.
Patricia (Janet Jackson) and Gavin (Malik Yoba) are getting a divorce.  Terry (Tyler Perry) and Diane (Sharon Leal) are happy, except for Diane’s emotional attachment to another man.  Angela (Tasha Smith) and Marcus (Michael Jai White) are still arguing about money and possible infidelity.  Sheila (Jill Scott) and Troy (Lamman Rucker) have just had a son and are trying to settle themselves after moving to Atlanta from Colorado.  And, Mike (Richard T. Jones) is there to be the 7th wheel, minus Trina (Denise Boutte), because their relationship went through a major transition.  

Writer and director Perry has obviously learned a lot in his years of making films.  Despite wearing several­­ hats for this film (director, writer, actor), he managed to not spread himself too thin and make quite a movie. 

The story is compelling and hilarious.  There were quite a few surprises, and the audience enjoyed itself immensely in the theater.  I just have one problem with Perry’s film: Patricia goes nutso and causes a horrible tragedy, but is then rewarded at the film’s end for her psychotic behavior. The dynamics of her reward have a third movie written all over it.

But, I digress.

The cast, as a whole, is superb.  Rucker gets to flex his acting muscles as a strong, prideful man.  I just wish his Troy were more connected with the other men of the film. 
Even though he is new to the group, he should still have more interaction with the other men. 

Jackson’s portrayal as the crazy ex-wife-to-be shows some range, as well.  Her Patty goes mad.  I’m sure there are those wronged women who identify with Patty’s destructive behavior, but it was so destructive that it had tragic results. Basically, Perfect Patty’s behavior is the cautionary tale of how not to act during a divorce.  But, as Perry expressed in his movie, divorce is set up to be bad.

Although I was unsatisfied with the ending, I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. I laughed.  I gasped. I clapped.  I laughed, again. 

Perry is still up on his game and surprising his audiences.  Yet I am pleading with him to keep the rest of his couples together for Why Did I Get Married Thrice?  I can’t take anymore break-ups.

KAliciaG@Aol.com