Tyler Perry has his Eddie Murphy moments with the character Joe (who really wasn't particularly necessary), and although Madea has "Big Momma" tendencies at time, overall she's compassionate and real. She's meant as comic relief, but at times is written as serious. She's better that way. Her strong-will is a key to the movie.

Elise is a good actress and is decent in this movie. The opening scene and her relationship with her husband seems so over-the-top. But my mouth admittedly dropped when his clear-cut infidel family actually is extended beyond the woman. It's one thing to cheat, quite another to literally have a second family. My apologies if that sucks juice from you.

We knew how the movie would end from the previews, not to mention the evident happenings to Steve Harris's character were so heavily foreshadowed the acting was downright horrible. But Shemar Moore is more that applicable for this movie. Those chiding him as purely a Soap actor are not unfair; however, he is convincing. I believe his pursuit is in earnest and the knowing struggle of Elise's character.

Elise's character is pathetic at times and Moore gives us a trite statement to sum it up; however, it is central to the movie. You do find yourself saying to the screen "What are you doing Helen?" It's clear she needs closure and in a she-devil type of way she begins to receive it. Irony is ever-present in this movie, but best presented when Elise is making herself more miserable when exacting her revenge. It's moments like these that Madea gives sensible advice that appears rather natural.

Tyler Perry does have himself in the flesh in this movie and is a fleshy, decent character. I feel for him, but he certainly is overly tight when trying to eliminate memories of struggle and the ending concerning him is too tidy, whilst Elise is over dramatic, and Steve Harris is unquenched. But I like it at the same time because sometimes when calm and at peace, sense arrives. It arrives here.

Elise and Perry, combined with Shemar Moore and at times Steve Harris do the movie justice, while it was a good casting call to get "Star Search" star Tiffany Evans as Perry's daughter. Harris is so callous it doesn't seem real sometimes; moreover, it is certainly pointed in favor of Helen. It didn't take that much extraneous writing to figure that out or get us to feel that way. But slowly it is revealed how poor this relationship really was. Elise borders on overacting here, but mostly gives grit to the movie.

Perry has messages to give and never subtly delivers them, yet the movie is decent, a bit mushy, and a touch long. It is a five-minute story that most develop as it does: over time.

Diary of A Mad Black Woman is the story of Helen, married to an attorney Charles, her high school sweetheart. They both came from nothing and have built a great life for themselves. There is one dark secret: Their marriage is in trouble.

After finding out Charles has been unfaithful on their anniversary and dragged out of the house, she has to come home again. Enter Madea, the two go on a journey with Madea in a way guiding Helen. She builds her life on her own terms and meets Orlando (played by the beautiful and hunkalicious Shemar Moore) and begins a relationship with him.

But tragedy ins't far off when Charles is shot by a vengeful client and she decides to care for him.

Torn between two men, two choices, one path for Helen.

Written with a delicate yet powerful touch, this movie definitely shows Tyler Perry as a great storyteller and while Madea can be a bit much, those who have seen the play have a sense of deja vu.

I had heard so much on this movie, I finally decided to watch it once it came on TV. From what little I knew, I expected it to be just a comedy about the revenge a "mad black woman" takes, with all the funny antics from Tyler Perry's Madea.

Yes, the film is definitely funny in places. But there is some very serious drama here that I wasn't expecting. The treatment of the soon to be ex-wife was horrific and painful to watch. So was her eventual revenge when her ex becomes disabled. That was a definite plot twist I didn't see coming.

There is a wide range of emotions in experiencing this film and I can definitely see the appeal and why it has been so popular. But there is also a side of me that wonders if the black community as a whole gets tired of the stereotyping of their culture. It seems prevalent here, very similar as in Martin Lawrence's "Big Momma" (although the latter being more comedy and less drama). But I know it does represent a segment of the population and Perry treats the matter with respect.

Also, Perry's rags to riches success story is very inspiring. I also appreciate that he places emphasis on faith and Christianity, which is rarely seen in modern movies. Kudos for that, Mr. Perry!