It's Just Movies

— by AMANDA KOEHLER —

Writer and director Tyler Perry assembles an all-star cast of powerhouse, experienced actresses (Loretta Devine, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad) and younger ingenues (Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, Thandie Newton, Macy Gray, Anika Noni Rose, Janet Jackson) to tell the story of 20 African-American women. The film is based on Ntozake Shange’s award-winning play “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf,” which hits on the themes of love, rape, abortion, abandonment, domestic violence, etc.

The film seems to take on the dark themes of the play, if this trailer is any indication. All of the characters appear to be struggling with serious difficulties, many of them involving men. Devine’s Juanita breaks it off with her man; Washington’s Kelly holds a pregnancy test, and isn’t looking too happy about the results.

Another theme is what it’s like to be an African-American woman. Juanita says she’s been called a colored girl, an evil woman and a nag, and she’s been trying not to be those things. Newton’s Thangie notes, “Being colored is a metaphysical dilemma I haven’t concurred yet.”

These women all seem to be interconnected — something I always personally enjoy in a film. A great ensemble cast can really make a good comedy or a drama. Perry’s “For Colored Girls” surely won’t be light material, but it looks like it may be a beautiful film filled with truth and emotion.

“For Colored Girls” — which also features Isaiah Mustafa (aka “the Old Spice guy”) — will be out in theaters Nov. 5.

About the Artwork:
Poster Design © Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, 2010
Check out more artwork by the very creative Tatyana Fazlalizadeh at http://blueingreenonrepeat.wordpress.com

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Follow Amanda Koehler on Twitter at http://twitter.com/AEKoehler.