Customer Reviews

Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just got my copy of the Happily Ever After DVD and watched it with my Mom. I'm glad I got it! It is so rare to see real African American couples speaking so honestly about relationships. So often the only images of Black men and women are dysfunctional stereotypes of: pimps, players, angry Black women and hoochy mamas. So it was refreshing to hear bright, articulate conversation from Black men & women from all walks of life who are working together as partners and raising whole families together. Bravo! This film shows that the President and the First Lady are not alone in being an example of stable, loving married Black couples! Thank you to the film makers and the couples who participated.

I recently watched the documentary, Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage. The film was produced, directed, and written by Lamar and Ronnie Tyler, the married duo behind Black and Married With Kids.

Upon receipt, I immediately watched the film, popping it in my laptop.

From the start, I didn't know what to expect. I had seen their ads on facebook, commented on their fan page out of support, but never watched the trailers.....

And honestly, I don't know why.

I've brainstormed a variety of reasons, however. There's a possibility that I thought the film just wasn't for me. See, I'm not married, I don't have children, and couldn't think of how this documentary would benefit me in any way.

Their website, Black and Married With Kids, on the other hand covers a wide range of topics, that aren't exclusive to the married. Dating relationships, familial concerns, children, faith, politics, current events, and education are just a few of the topics that they regularly cover in a safe and constructive web environment. The posts are thought provoking, honest, sincere, but always marked with compassion....and for this reason, they've become one of my favorites.

I check the site daily for inspiration, controversy, and intrigue.....

But I wondered if the movie would be he same. What would be there for me? A young single childless graduate student.

But I watched nonetheless and found the film refreshing.

No, I didn't cry, but I sincerely appreciated the opportunity to view authentic relationships, real conversation, and couples who valued one another.

But what I valued most was watching black men talk with their wives as they described their passion and their desire to not just maintain their relationships, but to thrive, to inspire and to break down many of the negative stereotypes they face daily.

This was something I hadn't seen before... at least not on screen. And for this reason, I immediately posted the following, on their facebook page, after viewing:

"I just got it in the mail........popped it in ....and I absolutely love it.....I really see this as monumental for our culture, our future, and our chi ldren. Thanks for sparking the discussion and the work you do."

As a single woman, who looks forward to marriage. I can honestly say that the film didn't give me hope to find a good black man....lol. I know there are good black men out there. They're the men I work with, family,friends, classmates, and neighbors.

But as a child from a single parent home, the film did help confirm my expectations for marriage, making my mental images concrete. In addition, I honestly believe that the documentary is a excellent resource for those who hope to be married, serving as a stimulus for constructive dialogue, a teaching tool for both the young and old, and a model for children without a firm foundation.

I just received my copy of the DVD and its a sigh of relief. Sometimes we have to be reminded of what a great people we really are and this DVD did just that for me. The couple's advice, answers, and wisdom are absolutely brilliant! Please purchase this DVD for your family, for your single and married and divorced, and separated friends and family members. Please please spread the word and support the movement. Just like Janks said in the documentary, Black Americans are the only race of people who do not recognize the significance of marriage and family. This has got to change TODAY!!!! We can do this.

My wife and I picked up this DVD, Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, with the hopes of getting some good advice for maintaining a good marriage. We wanted to see positive images of Black marriage, and compare it with our own, but we felt that there was a lack of some key elements, that if was included, could have made this documentary a must have.

There were many positive images of Black couples. It was good to hear about their experiences and how they dealt with issues. The couples were diverse in age, and length of marriage. We did like many of the questions asked, and enjoyed the responses.

However, at the end of the film, my wife and I felt as if we didn't get enough to work with. There was no conclusion, no wrap up. My suggestion for fixing this would be to put all the couples in one room, and document them having an open dialogue with regards to relationships. Pose the questions there, and let each couple chime in, building on each others' experiences.

The question I asked after anything I view is:
Will I be watching this again or is there any replay value?

I don't see any reason to view this more than once. It's not that entertaining, but it may be nice to watch with other couples. I would say that this is a nice to have, but there are other options available that you may better benefit from. I do, however, look forward to viewing "You Saved Me" within the same genre. Together, they may make wonderful companion pieces.

I liked it, but I wish that it had depicted more of the couple's responses to real marital issues (step-children, ex's, infidelity, religious differences, and forgiveness) and how to endure and overcome for a lasting love...

They say that great minds think alike...well, my husband of 19 years and I BOTH ordered DVD's on the same day! Proof that we as African-Americans can have long and successful relationships and marriages.

I loved the DVD - watched it with my husband and my 18-year old daughter, who now has a new set of heroes and sheroes. Real talk - no fluff, no prevaricating, no game-playing...just real people talking about what it takes to make a relationship and a marrage work.

This should be on every family's DVD shelf - I plan to order additional copies and give them as gifts. Any of the couples in my personal circle who don't have one should expect to hear from me about it - it's that good, and I'll be passing the message along. I think it would also make a great graduation gift, a super engagement present or a wonderful wedding gift.

One thing I'd like to add - while I loved the 'Cosby Show' and feel that Cliff and Clair Huxtable were great role models, one could also look to James and Florida Evans from Good Times - they stood together through thick and thin, and even when they had hard times, they did not give up on each other. It wasn't until James' character was killed off on the series that they parted.

While we might not have always agreed with him, George Jefferson and his wife Louise (Weezy) were another strong couple. No matter what mishaps George got himself into, he still was there with Weezy. His personality needed work, but his sense of commitment to his wife did not.

I applaud the creators of this wonderful video - please keep up the good work. This is one that will become a classic - enduring and positive role models for now and for the future generations.

Hello,I wish to give a brief review on the Dvd,titled Happily Ever After,A Positive Image of Black Marriage.I believe this was an excellent,portrayal of African-American marraiges..today in the 21st century.Each couple gave,a wonderful synopsis of what kind,of marriage and personal relationship;that they have with each other.What I liked most,is that they all' gave a very encouraging and a positive' showmanship of,what African-American marriages function as,and in how they look.I would like to possibly,see more media series based upon,this kind of a cheerful and joyful healthy model,that might possibly include,more' couples who talk about,or refer to how Jesus Christ,in being the foundation of their lives,has helped make their marriage life much,more stronger' and fulfilling!I would like,to possibly see some real life.. videos of the marriage ceremony,in a future series..that shows the happiness'..that African-Couples have and experience together.Lastly,I would like to see added in up coming formats;that would confront the topics,of how African-American couples deal with the physical/sexual,financial,social,and the emotional portion of their relationship,with each other. In essence I 'highly recommend,anyone who is looking..for an excellent resource'in possibly using..as a future teaching' element,for engaged African-American couples,who are seriously planning for marriage,who would choose this Dvd..as a feature in helping,them to have a wholesome and loving marriage!

So happy with this purchase and the story! Thanks Tyler New Media for reflecting US in such an amazingly candid light. It's about time!

I really liked that this documentary showed an accurate depiction of Black love in today's society. My parents have been married for 30+ years, my boyfriend's parents have been married for 30+ years, and he and I are in the process of courting each other and falling in love the same way our parents did. There are more happy (and married) Black couples out there than the media portrays, so this was a very refreshing look. Good job on the documentary! The only con I would note was that it was a bit tough to understand some of the speakers. There was music playing over the interviews, which made the speaking sound a bit muffled. Maybe they weren't sitting close enough to the microphone or not speaking very clearly, but I was able to still get the message nonetheless.

Either way, I would say keep up the great work, and I hope that the media catches on to this! :)

I enjoyed this dvd. I would like to applaud Lamar and Ronnie Tyler for making such a great documentary about positive black marriages. I am not married but, I feel that African American women have to many children out of wedlock. There is a reason why conception can't take place without a man. I feel that black men never want to settle down. They are always looking for something out side of a family unit. It was refreshing to see couples who are loving and are committed. I wish black children came from more healthy and loving homes where there was a mother and father. I hope in my life time, black people will rule and not the exception.