First we get news of an awards season release date, and now here's an ultra-serious, smile-free trailer for Tyler Perry's ensemble piece For Colored Girls, which is based on a play with a much longer title. Academy members, expect champagne and fruit baskets on your doorsteps soon with a personal note from Perry.
Perry seems to be branching out a bit for this one. For starters, he didn't put his name in the official title. But more importantly, he adapted an award-winning play instead of writing the material from scratch. Steps in the right direction. But now watch the preview.
Really, I'm all for a thoughtful examination of racial identity, but does every single character have to cry throughout the entire trailer? We get one dialogue exchange that's shot and cut like a soap opera, and then stylish title cards for each actress followed by each one either in tears or on the verge of them. And just when you think it can't get any more dramatic, the trailer concludes with a montage of everybody screaming. I get it Tyler Perry, this one is serious. The Academy snubbed you on Madea Goes to Jail, but they won't get away with it this time!
So yes, if you want to watch a mostly talented cast including Janet Jackson, Thandie Newton, Whoopie Goldberg, Kerry Washington, and Loretta Devine cry, scream and push each other for two hours, it looks like Perry has your number.
Verdict: Pass, unless the reviews are really stellar.