From left to right: Anika Noni Rose (as Yasmine), Kerry Washington (as Kelly), Janet Jackson (as Joanna), Kimberly Elise (as Crystal), Phylicia Rashad (as Gilda), Loretta Devine (as Juanita), Tessa Thompson (Nyla) and Thandie Newton (Tangie) in For Colored Girls. Photo credit: Patrick Harbron
Filmmaker Tyler Perry takes acclaimed play, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, written by, Ntozake Shange to the screen.
For Colored Girls is an amazing, shocking, remarkable, jaw-dropping film, that reveals the difficult truths of several women of various backgrounds, brought together by the common experience of being a women, being African American and trying to be happy.
“Being colored is a metaphysical dilemma I haven’t conquered yet” is the overarching mantra throughout the film. This phrase sums up the characters as they face rape, murder, abortion and betrayal.
The all-star cast of African American actresses include–Janet Jackson, Loretta Devine, Kimberly Elise, Thandie Newton, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Tessa Thompson, Kerry Washington, Whoopi Goldberg and Macy Gray. The men–Michael Ealy, Omari Hardwick, Hill Harper, Khalil Kain, and Richard Lawson.
See For Colored Girls for its life lessons, emotionally jarring poetry and compelling stories of women finding their freedom and happiness.
Can’t wait to see this movie, I have been getting great reviews!
Enough with the blaxploitation films! Enough with the films that showcases blacks as all the stereotypical types in our community – promiscuous, alcoholics, bitter, overtly religious, bitches, gossipy, bad parents…should I continue? I will not and these types of films should not!
The film is not directed specifically to the African American community only, the film address several universal situations at hand. So, regardless of ethnicity we have to recognize that in every community, each of the stereotypical people that you listed are living in everybody’s communities. I suggest that you see the movie as well as read the book because both displayed women who overcame their demons, healed from past hurts and learn the meaning of self-love…
Great review! I saw this play in 1977, we need to understand that these issues are effecting us even more today than back then. I suppose that’s why the need arose to bring it back. It’s issue are still raw and open. We need to see this movie, talk about these issues and resolve to move forward and break these bands. It seemed to get attached to the stats that 72% of the children born in the black community are born to black single women. As Joan Rivers says, “Can we talk”? If not now, when?
Such a good blog. Good job
This is nice stuff, its great to be in the know.