Product Details

• Actors: Kimberly Elise, Steve Harris, Tyler Perry, Cicely Tyson, Shemar Moore
• Directors: Darren Grant
• Writers: Tyler Perry
• Producers: Tyler Perry, John Dellaverson, Joseph P. Genier, Michael Paseornek, Mike Upton
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Lions Gate
• DVD Release Date: June 28, 2005
• Run Time: 116 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (276 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00097DXFS
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,791 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Diary of a Mad Black Woman (Full Screen Edition)" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

An irreverent, yet overtly Christian film about a black woman wronged and her response to the black man who wronged her, Diary of a Mad Black Woman: The Movie is a powerful film of contradictions. On the one hand, it's a story about Helen (Kimberly Elise), a loving woman who's given everything to her husband Charles (Steve Harris), only to be rejected and literally thrown into the street after 18 years of marriage; we witness the radical range of emotions she experiences and the actions she takes following their separation. But interspersed with this mostly serious story about relationships and Christian forgiveness is a look at Helen's extended family--in particular the outrageous antics of her grandmother Madea, and Madea's live-in brother Joe. The sassy black matriarch is vocal with her opinions and figures a pistol will solve any disagreement; Joe talks tough, is completely lacking in social refinement, and is really just a powerless old man. Add in a side story about a drug-addicted mother (Tamara Taylor) and the effect of her addiction on her husband and children, and Helen's stumbling discovery of the man she's truly meant to love (Shemar Moore), and this film is at once a poignant, funny, repulsive, and Christian depiction of the unpredictability of life and the power of God and forgiveness. Tyler Perry plays three unique characters in this film with ease: the hilariously irreverent Madea and the quietly funny Joe, both of whom Perry has previously portrayed in his play productions, and Brian, the necessarily serious father dealing with a drug-addicted wife and two children. --Tami Horiuchi

Product Description

Charles, an attorney, and Helen, the devoted wife, seem to have everything: money, a beautiful mansion - the American Dream. But just as Helen prepares to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary, her life takes a surprising turn.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 80 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching, Entertaining and Sweet May 13, 2005

By thesavvybamalady VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

I went to see this movie the first weekend that it came out, and I wasn't disappointed at all; I saw the original play, and wasn't greatly impressed with it, but seeing the movie, I enjoyed it very well. Kimberly Elise and Shemar Moore gave great performances; Of course, Tyler Perry playing three roles simultaneously was just as good and I applaud him; Cicely Tyson, of course, gave a gem of a performance helping her daughter become more stronger even though she herself has been wronged; I have heard the good and the bad about this movie; I have heard that Madea is just another stereotypical role model that we need to get away from; But let's be honest, how many of us can attest to a Madea in our family? or at least pieces of such a woman? This was one movie that sex and profanity wasn't splashed forward and yet, the critics bashed it; Yet, I found it a good movie, and can all of us who supported Mr Perry opening weekend be wrong? I don't think so; Look forward to the DVD.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent movie from start to end !!! April 27, 2005

By Larry Shepherd

Format:DVD

I applaud the earlier reviewer, Ramsess Gray from Fayetteville, NC. Thank you for standing up to all the other so-called critics who trashed this movie. I thought this was an excellent movie from beginning to end. In his big-screen debut, Tyler Perry delivered big-time, no questions asked. Darren Grant, Mr. Perry, Kimberly Elise, Shemar Moore and the rest of the cast were second-to-none in my opinion. I loved each of the characters Mr. Perry played himself, especially gun-toting Grandma. She was funny & very entertaining throughout. As far as best picture and/or any awards are concerned, I think Mr. Perry should have as good a chance as anyone to win an award in some category(ies). Also, in my opinion, Kimberly Elise should win something for her role. And for that matter so should Darren Grant & Shemar Moore. But that's only my opinion. The movie was very entertaining and it had all the qualities you could ask for in a movie. It made you laugh. It made you cry. It made you happy. It made you sad & it made you proud, all in about 2 hours time. I'm sure this movie is not and will not be for everyone. We all have different tastes. All I can really say is "watch the movie for what it is", and that's entertainment at it's best.

Larry

30 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a unique, wildly entertaining flick that will have you........... July 1, 2005

By R. NEWALK

Format:DVD

literally rolling in the aisles at time! i had no intention of renting or buying this dvd until my neighbors were raving about it, plus all these grest customer reviews here at amazon.com! finally i said ok, let's have a look. was i ever glad i did too!yhe cast is impeccable, the script hilarious, everything about this film worked out just fine! the film is a complete head trip from start to great finish! all the acting is superb, the dvd transfer is gorgeous, and the gospel score sounded magnificent as well! do treat yourself to this one as it will blow you away. happy 4th to all, and happier 'diary of a mad black woman' viewing pleasure to everyone out there! it really is one fine film.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars seeing the movie first didn't ruin it December 17, 2005

By SCMLA

Format:DVD

i saw the movie version first & so was pleasantly surprised to discover that the two versions were handled SO differently -- so much so that they are BOTH worth seeing & (in my opinion) owning. there are some different characters in each & some of the situations are handled differently, but the overall story remains the same &, of course, madea is HYSTERICAL no matter where she goes! :D i also enjoyed the father character in the play version a lot better than the movie version's joe (joe was a little too real-life disgusting for me -- i was having flashbacks to someone i know in real life! =:O) & i LOVED the strong-in-the-Lord singing mom, ESPECIALLY when she sings that song about rebuking the devil -- you GO girl! i also enjoyed the fact that there seemed to be a little more Jesus in the play version -- the movie version seemed to have more of that "sanitized" hollywood feel? i.e. cleansed of explicit references to God, Jesus & the Bible -- which i don't blame mr. perry for & i praise God that he's getting his plays made into movies & reaching a wider audience with the Message \o/ -- you GO dude!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Whether you saw the movie or not, you need to see this play. May 2, 2005

By LEE

Format:DVD

I saw the movie before I got this play. If you have seen the movie you need to see this as well. Other than the songs being too long, it was great. Please don't go in with the mind set of it being like the movie because it is not. Some of the characters are different. So of course the outcome is different. Daddy Charles was a good character choice addition to the play. You will laugh. This play if definitely funny.And it gives you something to think about.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Bi-Polar movie September 9, 2005

By Jesse Hart

Format:DVD

(I give the movie 2 1/2 stars) The movie starts off as a relationship drama, then switches to slapstick humor, then family drama, then to romance, then black revenge comedy, then slapstick, and to inspirational drama. If only Tyler Perry had found a way to one down certian parts, and found a way to tie the humor and drama together more smoothly. Intead it feels like a confused mess, not sure at what it what's to be at the moment, a serious drama or a dark comedy.
It's a shame it doesn't work better, because Kimberly Elise is mezmerizing as Helen, and Tyler Perry as Madea is hilarious. With just smoothing out the script so everything flows together better, and the movie could've been great.