Two black critics go long -- like really long -- about one of America's most visionary and problematic filmmakers: "I think I finally get why Madea is so important to Perry, and why she might be harder to give up than Whitney's crack: Tyler Perry is the victimized character in his films, and Madea is his personal superhero. She is what the therapist I go to for my own childhood traumas refers to as 'a protector identity.' In portraying this protector, Perry is saving himself." File under must-read. [Odienator via @ebertchicago]
