Filmmaking Lessons from Tyler Perry
Yesterday afternoon I saw Tyler Perry’s “The Family That Preys” with a group of friends. In an email newsletter, he said he wrote this film after hearing the song “I Hope You Dance,” which Gladys Knight re-recorded for the film.
Like all of his movies, you see the good and bad of the human condition. I think that’s where Perry really shines, because he shows us that we humans are a little more complicated than we’d like to be.
His good is not quite as good as we want it to be. We do good deeds, sometimes wanting others to change their behavior and respond in an appropriate way. How often does that work for you? I’m guessing about as often as it works for me.
We also see people doing really good things for others outside of their own family, while scheming for the ruin of someone within their own family. I’ll throw a lavish wedding for my best friend’s daughter, but help my son succeed in the family business? No way!
The bad is also not quite as bad or genuinely evil as we think it is. In his portrayal of “bad people,” he gives us several life lessonsabout character development:
- If you are living to please someone else (a parent, a spouse, a friend), you are doomed to disappointment in them, from them, and by them.
- Holding onto pain from the past will only make you bitter and distance you from the people who could help you heal.
- Money really doesn’t solve all your problems. Most of the time, having a lot of money just means you have a lot more problems.
- Hiding good things from your family is sometimes just as ruinous as hiding bad things from them.
Through all the lessons are woven moments of comic genius, genuine drama and good solid entertainment.
If I had any criticism, it would be that some of his supporting characters are one-dimensional and seem to exist solely as a plot device.
An interesting post-film conversation centered around audience response. Because of one scene at a club where men strip for women, one friend said she thought Christians wouldn’t like the film. I disagree because Perry has not labeled the film a “Christian movie.” Neither his press nor marketing materials call this, or any of his films, Christian films.
Perry is a Christian, and at least one character in each of his films is a believer, but he doesn’t keep his action within the confines of evangelical Christianity. He dares to show the real world and real humans in their fallen state.
Can a Christian audience live with that? I think so, because he’s not marketing this film to a “Christian audience.” That’s a smart choice, because labeling a film as “Christian” immediately narrows the audience and creates expectations about what will and won’t be included in the film.
We’ll go see “secular” films and place no expectations about dress (too much cleavage), language, sexual references, violence, etc., on the filmmaker because they’re not believers. We’ll even use clips from those films in our churches on Sunday mornings, implying approval in a backhanded sort of way.
But have a “Christian film” include language, dress, and actions that don’t meet our standards? That’s almost certain grounds for uproar from the expected audience.
I think Perry has carved out a niche for himself and figured out how to make successful films with a Christian worldview that reach the general market. Congratulations!
Well put. I have posted this statement (which I am about to make) in previous posts on this site; that the more transparent we are as Christians/believers amongst ourselves as well as others about our weaknesses and our triumphs (both need to be done with discretion and at the right time) it will really show the grace of God to the rest of the world and give encouragement to other Christians who may be going through the same thing – and this should be reflected in our movies. I believe that Tyler Perry will continue to improve in his film-making abilities – he is not perfect but for what he has achieved it is better than what most of us are willing to admit. I also think that it has been the strength of the Kendrick Brothers where they truly depend on God for everything, as well as do the hard work necessary to produce good films with very good stories. They are really firsthand very good storytellers and once you have a good story you are in good stead for a good film. I believe we will see even greater Christian works in the film business within the next few months! As I have said and will say again that I believe the time will come that the top ten movies in a given mainstream theatrical release, that: five will be made by Christians, the other five will be biblically based or inspired by Christian living.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:15 am
They are really firsthand very good storytellers and once you have a good story you are in good stead for a good film. I believe we will see even greater Christian works in the film business within the next few months.
November 8th, 2008 at 6:06 am
I had never seen a Tyler Perry Movie and then I saw a couple of them and was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t think they had much substance but was wrong. His movies have a lot of wisdom about the human condition and some common sense approaches to shall we just go with the flow or do what is the right thing to do . I felt better after seeing his movies because he reaffirmed the “old fashioned ” values about right and wrong that I was afraid were being left by the wayside by the modern generation.It made me feel better about the future of our world.
The Chronicles of Narnia have also been inspirational for me.
November 29th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Patricia, I agree with your perspective on Tyler Perry’s films. He does indeed show the human condition in all its beauty & ugliness! It is great to see his affirmation of values, and especially with their popularity – they’re reaching a lot of people!
November 30th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
I think Tyler Perry is absolutely a wonderful Writer and actor.
His movie’s are a true real life collaboration of what goes on in the real world. I am anxious to see his new movie that starts this coming Friday. I’ve laughed with the best of them, but Tyler Perry, his humor keeps it so life like and real. I’m a white woman but grew up in the hood from age 3 to 13. Some of the most awesome memories I have are from those days. It’s all good. Love You Tyler. **I am not sure but did you ever eat at
Art’s Deli, in Studio City, CA? If so I think myself and Julie use to wait on you before you got so Famous! Blessings and Prayers for your continued Success!!!!
February 17th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
[...] of available, well-made, entertaining options that reflect their Christian values. Tyler Perry, while not necessarily marketing his movies and shows specifically towards Christian audiences, reflects certain Christian values and places an emphasis on family, relationships and forgiveness [...]
May 20th, 2009 at 7:25 am
I disagree. This is not a ‘Christian film.’ Are you serious? The language, dress, and actions are not of God. Regardless of the excuse that Perry is trying to reach to non-Christians or non-believers by using profanity for instance is just that–an excuse. There are more decent ways to reach the world—have to be more creative that is all. No, by far, none of his films are considered ‘Christian films.’
September 22nd, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I love Tyler Perry, his movies, his message, everything. You can tell that this man is someone who loves god and wants to reach and spread his message anyway he can. Dress, actions? Who is anyone to judge? Not one of Perry’s has a single cuss word and all are based around stories of real life. How does a godly person dress? Furthermore,”PO” who are you to judge anyones actions? As a “non-beleiver”, it’s weirdos like you that keep me away from church.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:04 pm