I have something to admit, I have never seen a “Madea” movie previously or really anything of Tyler Perry’s in the past. The only reason I was drawn to watch A Madea Homecoming was Mrs Brown (Brendan O’Carroll) ‘s inclusion in the cast and storyline.
A Madea Homecoming tells the story of Mabel “Madea” Earlene Simmons’ great-grandson Tim (Brandon Black) coming home after graduating as valedictorian. Tim’s roommate Davi (Isha Blaaker), is joining him for the celebratory family dinner and BBQ. They get to Madea’s house and find out the whole family is there for a celebratory BBQ. This is where the movie starts to go downhill in a good way.
Davi is the nephew of the one and only Agnes Brown. She has flown from Ireland with Cathy (Jennifer Gibney) to surprise him at his graduation celebration. She turns up unannounced at Madea’s house with a first impression that left my sides hurting. Proof that the language gap is there even when you speak the same language.
Madea is supported by fellow family members Mr Brown (David Mann), who has a brilliant introduction, Uncle Joe (also Perry), who says exactly what he is thinking, a very horny Aunt Bam (Cassi Davis) who does not stop flirting with Davi, Tims mother Laura (Gabrielle Dennis), grandmother Cora (Tamela J Mann) and aunt Ellie (Candace Maxwell) are all on hand to keep the jokes going and bounce off each other.
A Madea Homecoming is unapologetically crass. Sure, it is full of stereotypical jokes and foul language, but it is funny. If you know how to enjoy comedy for what it is. Underlying all that crassness is a story of family and the unique characters that makeup one. Tim and Davi both have an account to share that impacts their lives, and it isn’t what you think. I don’t want to go into what is going on with this section of the story as it all intertwines throughout the whole plot. Safe to say it is handled reasonably well, even if parts of it are a little too soap opera.
A Madea Homecoming is one of those movies you put on when you want to laugh and not think about the problems in the world. There is a delirious BBQ, a secret shared, bad blood, a botched proposal, an Irish farm with erectile dysfunction having bulls, fights and scandals all wrapped up in an easy to digest hot mess that runs around the 100-minute mark.
This is not one for the younger audiences. Lots of language and drug references even though it is only rated M here.
You can check out A Madea Homecoming on Netflix right now.
