Why Did I Get Married Too?

Just as I got comfy in my semi-reclining movie theatre seat to watch the two-time Oscar winning tearjerker Precious last year, the trailer for Why Did I Get Married Two? came on.

Snippets of the four couples on their yearly getaway (this time in the Bahamas) coupled with extreme close-ups of Janet Jackson in teary-eyed distress were met with snickers and lots of teeth sucking. I even felt my own eyes roll a bit.

Really? A sequel to Why Did I Get Married? Is this necessary?

As it turns out, these characters have more to say.

The story picks up three years later with the group on vacation. It’s a happy reunion full of hugs and kisses but the salutations, which feel forced and awkward, slow down the pace of the film. It's as if Perry invited the actors to veer away from the script and be natural, direction that only works best with well-seasoned actors who have a gift for improvisation.

It’s only when the couples leave their island retreat to return back to the real world (kids, mistrust, deceit, lies and divorce) that things get interesting.

Married has quite a few solid performances. Janet Jackson has never been more raw or emotionally available on screen than she is here as Patricia, the know-it-all relationship expert who thinks she has it all together, but really doesn’t. It’s great to see her let loose and unravel.

Tasha Smith, like in the original, provides the comic relief with her brass and, often times, outrageous character, Angela. And Lamman Rucker will make you sit up and take notice as Jill Scott’s dedicated hubby.

But unfortunately, the script doesn’t support its actors' efforts, is full of plot holes and will leave you scratching your head with more questions than answers.

After a knock-down-drag-out fight with her husband, Gavin, played with conviction by Malik Yoba, Patricia shows up to his job with a life-size cake only to have a half-naked, feminine, gay man pop out of it?

Tyler Perry discovers his wife’s indiscretions, only for them to kiss and make up at the end with no earned resolution?  Will she stop seeing Phil? How will they mend the broken trust?

Gavin and Patricia are going through a bitter divorce (he's taking her for half of everything she's got) and they're still living together? Wouldn't that sleeping arrangement have been worked out a long time ago?  They're splitting almost $1 million in assets. I'm sure Gavin could have rented out a hot, little one bedroom somewhere while all the legal ramifications were being worked out.

Perry, like always, starred, wrote, directed and produced Married. And whether you love or hate his movies, the man is definitely on to something. The numbers don’t lie. His films have grossed nearly half a billion dollars to date and Married grossed $30 million its opening weekend.  Clearly all those folks who huffed and puffed at the trailer went out to see the film - myself included.

But I understand why Perry's work is met with a chilly reception.

Often times his films are so cheesy, blatantly stereotypical and overwrought that the message is lost. I can’t help but wonder how his ideas might flourish if he loosened up the reign a bit; maybe still come up with the story ideas but hire a screenwriter to pen the script. Or give a talented up-and-coming director a shot at helming while he sits back and plays the producer - a roll where he's most comfortable. And leave the acting to someone else.  Let's face it, Perry leaves a lot to be desired when he isn’t playing Medea.

All that aside, Married is an entertaining good time at the movies. And worth seeing for the great on-camera chemistry and laugh-out-loud moments alone. But don’t expect to learn anything new about living in holy matrimony or how to save a marriage in the rough.

Marriage is hard work.

Yeah. We get it.