Official Synopsis:

Why Did I Get Married? –

A big-screen adaptation of Tyler Perry's hit stage play of the same title, Why Did I Get Married? is an intimate story about the difficulty of maintaining a solid love relationship in modern times. During a trip to the picturesque snowcapped mountains of Colorado, eight married college friends have gathered for their annual seven-day reunion. But the cozy mood is shattered when the group comes face-to-face with one pair's infidelity. As secrets are revealed, each couple begins questioning the validity of their own marriage. Over the course of the weekend, husbands and wives take a hard look at their lives, wrestling with issues of commitment, betrayal and forgiveness as they seek a way forward.

What's Done In The Dark  -

What's Done In The Dark always comes to light! But that won’t stop a group of ER nurses, doctors, and patients from trying to hide it, in this newest hit play from acclaimed American playwright/director Tyler Perry. Featuring some of Perry's most beloved characters including the delightfully eccentric Mr. Brown and his devoted daughter Cora, What's Done In The Dark tackles social issues such as infidelity and deadbeat dads with sidesplitting humor and stirring gospel numbers.

Our Take:

Before screening Why Did I Get Married? and What’s Done In the Dark, I really knew next to nothing about Tyler Perry. The only thing I did know was that he did those “Mad Black Woman” movies and has a sitcom on cable TV.

Why Did I Get Married? is a big screen adaptation of the play of the same name. Four married couples (plus an unexpected guest) are on a week-long retreat to strengthen their relationships and work on issues that they’re facing. In one relationship on the rocks, Sheila has gained 80 pounds due to the stress of her marriage, and her husband only makes it worse by constantly berating her. Terry, who is a successful doctor and Diane, who’s a lawyer that just made partner, have issues about wanting a bigger family. Diane has a secret she’s kept from her husband. Marcus & Pam have issues with fidelity, but the problems with their marriage run much deeper than an affair. Finally, Patricia and Gavin, who lost their son in a car accident, each secretly blame each other for their loss.

What’s Done In the Dark is a refreshing comedy that blends amusing scenarios with serious social issues. In many ways What’s Done in the Dark is a morality play of sorts dealing with modern issues. Set in an ER and centering on two nurses, one who is having an affair with a married doctor and the other a single mother who is getting no support from her son’s father. To add levity to the situation is Mr. Brown, a hypochondriac who shouts a lot and wears clothes that went out of style long ago (or perhaps never were IN style).

What’s Done in the Dark is an appropriate name for this play as, throughout Perry’s work, he exposes many social issues that aren’t usually discussed in an open forum. Whether it be the importance of taking care of one’s self by having regular physical examinations, the consequences of having unprotected sex, or the importance of self respect, Perry’s works run deeper than you might expect. At times it almost feels a little too preachy, but some people don’t take subtle hints and need to be hit over the head with a message a few times.

Extra features on the discs include:

Married –

* Janet Jackson: Return of an Icon (12 minutes) - This goes into why Jackson decided to do this film, the cast’s comments about working with her, and how she was very "down to earth" and not at all "diva-ish."
* Reflections on Getting ’Married’ (17 minutes) - Details casts members’ own marriages and how this film is very accurate compared to the relationships most couples have.
* The Music of ’Married’ (7 minutes) - The composer talks about what it took to score the film and why he chose certain music for certain scenes.

Dark -

* Mr. Brown Goes Shopping Featurette (12 minutes) – Go shopping with Mr. Brown at the local thrift shop and get some fashion tips that’d make the Project Runway contestants scratch their eyes out.

* Mr. Brown Introduces the Cast Featurette (24 minutes) – Mr. Brown goes around and talks to the cast of What’s Done in the Dark.

In both movies, the casts provide powerful performances, and each have their own merits and imperfections. Ultimately, both prove to be very entertaining and worth a rental at least.

Overall Picture:

Movie:

Why Did I Get Married?: B

What's Done In the Dark: A-

DVDs: B-

- Chris Lawrence

Staff Writer