Sun 10 Feb 2008
WHY DID I GET MARRIED? - Tyler Perry’s New Movie Coming To DVD Feb 12, 2008
Posted by gar_dien under Articles , Reviews
I’M KEEPING THIS POST UPDATED TO KEEP DISCUSSION AT THE FOREFRONT.
Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married?” came out on DVD Tuesday, February 12, 2008! If you haven’t seen it, you need to check it out. If you have seen it - see it again! And when you buy the DVD, make sure you watch the “Behind the Scenes” as well. The cast shares their thoughts about the movie and about marriage. It’s like a follow up to the movie - some great insights. Read below for more thoughts from when the film was released back in October.
BEFORE you read below, I just wanted to say that I have purchased my official copy of WDIGM? I went to Best Buy and they guy told me, “Man, everybody’s coming in for this movie today.” Copies are flying off the shelves. If you’re married or in a serious relationship, you’re gonna want to see this movie!
ALRIGHT THE VERDICT IS IN! Tyler Perry’s new movie about Marriage, which released on Friday, October 12th is NUMBER 1 at the Hollywood Box Office! It grossed over $21 million, easily beating all other movies. This is simply amazing. Hollywood certainly did not expect this to happen. Now 3 weeks later, it’s holding strong at number 5 on the Hollywood Box office charts which monitors the top ten movies out. WDIGM has almost reached $48 million!
My wife and I saw it and loved it. The storyline was interesting and raised a lot of issues married couples face. If you’ve seen it, share your thoughts below. If you haven’t seen it yet, you know what to do.
Life is full of instances where husbands and wives face incredible opposition, failure and victory. As those of us, who are married (my wife and I for 7 years) and those who seek to be married, walk towards our God-given destiny, it helps to view how God created marriage - enabling two people, who are hopefully, of like hearts and minds to walk together. God’s Word raises the question, “Can two walk together unless they agree?”
How do married couples fight to overcome and out-maneuver pitfalls which seek our destruction? As time passes (and life doesn’t turn out like we plan) what are the ways we begin to take our spouse for granted? How do we lose sight of our goals to be a strong family unit that journeys through life together? How do our own internal struggles play out in the way we treat our spouse? How do we get back to genuine love and grow in that love beyond what we thought was possible - which enables us to overcome the situations we face? This movie addresses these and other issues as well - often times in very intense and humorous ways. After you see the movie, let’s talk about the issues it raises and how it relates to our destiny.
-Allen Paul Weaver III -
October 14th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
First off let me start with saying that I thought the movie was great! It touched on many aspects of marriage. The aspect I appreciated most was that of women being able to show their vulnerable side to their husbands. As an African American woman I know it is often hard to open ourselves up and be vulnerable. As women, many of us are used to being hard workers, diligent and in many ways independent. In fact, I remember thinking that being open and expressing hurt or need meant that you were weak. I love the part in the movie where the character played by Janet Jackson gave her girlfriends a reality check telling them to open themselves up to their husbands and stop trying to be so strong before they lose good men. I have learned the value in opening myself up to my husband and speaking from experience I’ve learned it only enriches a marriage because everyone wants and needs to feel needed. Just think (all you ladies reading this) how would you feel if your husband came home every night already full from a meal someone else cooked, or always took his cloths else where to be washed & ironed, or even if they always found fulfillment in conversation with others outside of you. While at first you may enjoy nights where you don’t have to cook or clean yet, after a while you may start to wonder what your purpose is in the marriage, and you may feel distanced from your husband. Over time it would be hurtful to know that someone you love needs nothing from you to feel complete in their life…and nobody wants that. Think About it!
October 14th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Thanks Joi. My wife and I saw the movie too on Saturday and we thought it was great. Tyler Perry has found a formula for mixing serious marital issues with humor for easy consumption and reflection. Fidelity - Reconciliation - Communication - Vulnerability - Inner Strength - Faith - Partnership - Facades - Conflict - Forgiveness - Redemption… the movie covers it all and then some. One of my favorite scenes was when the guys were sitting outside discussing if they\’ve ever cheated on their wives. Malik Yoba\’s character explains the 80/20 rule. I could hear a few people\’s responses in the theater - like they \”got it\”. I know it made sense to me as well.
The movie easily had both of us laughing… and then some parts had us tearing up as well. I look forward to hearing what other people have to say about the movie. And I\’ll share more as we go along. Thanks again.
October 15th, 2007 at 1:38 am
I thought the movie was really good as well. I know there were a few cheesy moments, but I thought that it addressed a lot of important issues. Men needing to be honest and able to confront issues with both there wives and other persons as well, was a major point. I must admit that I have tried hard in the past, to stay clear of Tyler Perry’s films. The films I have seen along with this one were very enlightening. This film speaks to a great need in our society and time. Marriage is and shall continue to be a great union between a man and a women. And it is well worth learning more about and well worth working through the issues that come with it. I love being married and I especially love being married to my wife Joi. She is my buddy, my advisor & my love. I felt refreshed in my marriage after the movie.
October 15th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
I, too, loved the movie. I saw the matinee showing on Saturday. After seeing the movie, I predicted that it would be the number one movie this weekend for 2 reasons. First the movie was packed for a matinee show and secondly, as I drove off of the parking lot and looked into my rear view mirror, the driver and the passenger behind me were both likely in their 70s. I knew that with such a trememdous age range of people…mostly women…coming out to see the movie, it was destined to be number 1!
October 15th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Sometimes it\’s easy to get caught up in our busy routines and the pressures to perform in society. For my wife and I, it had been a long time since we had the time to go out on a \”date.\” (Or should I say, made the time?)What better date, than to go see this movie? I think it truly demonstrated that if a husband and wife determine within themselves that they will stick together and work through situations, and place their faith in God, then anything is possible for them - and their dreams, vision and destiny can come to pass. I think every married couple will see some aspect of themselves in this movie.
October 20th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
I saw the movie the first nite. The movie was, in my opinion, pretty thought provoking. I think it really showed the intensity of marriage. As a single person, this is important for people like me to see. The view of marriage was not glamorized or romanticized in any way. Tyler Perry did a good job in showing that marriage is not all hugs and kisses, but that hard work is needed everyday to maintain the relationship. Some days are better than others and in between there is fun and laughter, but when the tough times come both people have to be willing to put forth the extra effort that may be required to pull through the situation. The movie reiterated for me that marriage is an in your face, intense, and explosive expression of love.
October 31st, 2007 at 12:54 am
I like how you say that Patrice:\”an in your face, intense, and explosive expression of love.\” I\’ve never quite heard marriage described like that… but that is what it is - an explosive expression of love. Not that a couple has to be arguing all the time, but if the husband and wife are \”nice\” and \\\”quiet\” all the time - with no real passion - Mmmm… something might be wrong. Sometimes, in the heat of a disagreement, I\’d ask myself \”Why did I get married?\” But then I look at my wife\’s face while she\’s sleeping… and into her eyes while she\’s awake… and I thank God for her life; and ours together. He gave me exactly who I needed…even though I didn\’t do anything to deserve her. I think the movie captures this, as well as other attributes of marriage.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:39 pm
I\’m also glad that the men in the movie were supportive of each other and their relationships… except for one guy who was the \’dog\’ of the film. To see Black men on screen encouraging each other, in their own way, to stick things out and find paths to make the marriage work… priceless. There are a lot of absent husbands and fathers out there… but life isn\’t all about the man. Leaving not only affects the wife and kids, but also relatives , friends and associates. And if you\’re a part of a greater community - like the Church - many people are watching, not to desire your downfall, but to look for hope… that a godly marriage can truly work. (On a weekly basis, I meet married and unmarried people, especially teens and young adults who want to know that marriage - to one person - is beneficial.) We as Black men who are married need to support each other more so that we can make it through the hard times when they come and live out (as Patrice says) an \’explosive expression of love\’ towards our wives. Then we need to help the single brothers adequately deal with their search for both their life purpose and their soul-mate.