''Madea's Family Reunion'' is a 2006 American

comedy-drama Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy) is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and Drama (film and television), drama. In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, il ...

film and an adaptation of the stage production of the same name written by

Tyler Perry Tyler Perry (born Emmitt Perry Jr., September 13, 1969) is an American actor, filmmaker, and playwright. He is the creator and performer of Madea, Mabel "Madea" Simmons, a tough elderly woman, and also portrays her brother Joe Simmons and her ...

. The film is a

sequel A sequel is a work of literature, film, theatre, television, music, or video game that continues the story of, or expands upon, some earlier work. In the common context of a narrative work of fiction, a sequel portrays events set in the same ...

to ''

Diary of a Mad Black Woman ''Diary of a Mad Black Woman'' is a 2005 American romantic comedy drama film directed by Darren Grant and written by Tyler Perry. Inspired by the play of the same name, it marks Perry's feature film debut and is the first entry in the Madea ...

''. It was written, directed by, and starring Perry with the rest of the cast consisting of

Blair Underwood Blair Erwin Underwood (born August 25, 1964) is an American actor. He made his debut in the 1985 musical film '' Krush Groove'' and from 1987 to 1994 starred as attorney Jonathan Rollins in the NBC legal drama series ''L.A. Law''. Underwood has ...

Lynn Whitfield Lynn Whitfield (''née'' Smith; born February 15, 1953) is an American actress. She began her acting career in television and theatre before progressing to supporting roles in film. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a ...

Boris Kodjoe Boris Frederic Cecil Tay-Natey Ofuatey-Kodjoe (; born March 8, 1973) is a German actor and former model, based in the United States. His breakthrough role was as sports-courier agent Damon Carter on the Showtime drama series '' Soul Food'' (2000- ...

Henry Simmons Henry Oswald Simmons (born July 1, 1970) is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Alphonso "Mack" Mackenzie in the ABC superhero drama series '' Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' (2014-2020) and Baldwin Jones in the ABC police drama seri ...

Lisa Arrindell Lisa Arrindell (born March 24, 1969), also credited as Lisa Arrindell Anderson, is an American actress. Beginning her career in the early 1990s, Arrindell is most known for her role as Vanessa Breaux-Henderson in ''Madea's Family Reunion'' (2006), ...

Maya Angelou Maya Angelou ( ; born Marguerite Annie Johnson; April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014) was an American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credi ...

Rochelle Aytes Rochelle Aytes (born May 17, 1976) is an American actress and model. She is best known for her role as April Malloy on American Broadcasting Company, ABC drama series ''Mistresses (U.S. TV series), Mistresses'' (2013–16) and as the voice of Lef ...

Jenifer Lewis Jenifer Jeanette Lewis (born January 25, 1957) is an American actress. She began her career appearing in Broadway musicals and worked as a back-up singer for Bette Midler before appearing in films ''Beaches'' (1988) and '' Sister Act'' (1992). L ...

, Tangi Miller,

Keke Palmer Lauren Keyana "Keke" Palmer ( ; born August 26, 1993) is an American actress, singer, and television personality. She has received numerous accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and nominations for a Daytime Emmy Award and a Screen Act ...

, and

Cicely Tyson Cecily Louise "Cicely" Tyson (; December 19, 1924January 28, 2021) was an American actress. In a career that spanned more than seven decades, she is known for her portrayals of complex and strong-willed African American women. She received sev ...

. The film tells the story of Madea preparing for an upcoming

family reunion A family reunion is an occasion when many members of an extended family congregate. Sometimes reunions are held regularly, for example on the same date of every year. A typical family reunion will assemble for a meal, some recreation and discuss ...

while dealing with the dramas before and during it. It was released on February 24, 2006, nearly one year following its predecessor, ''Diary of a Mad Black Woman''. The

independent film An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is film production, produced outside the Major film studios, major film studio system in addition to being produced and distributed by independ ...

was produced by

Lionsgate Lions Gate, Lion Gate or similar terms may refer to: Gates *Lion Gate at Mycenae in Greece *Lion Gate, one of the entrances to the ancient Hittite city of Hattusa, now in Turkey *Lion Gate, one of the entrances to the gardens of Hampton Court Pala ...

. ''Madea's Family Reunion'' grossed $63.4 million worldwide.

Plot

Lisa Breaux is engaged to Carlos Armstrong, an

abusive Abuse is the act of improper usage or treatment of a person or thing, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, assault, violation, rape, unjust practices, ...

investment banker Investment banking is an advisory-based financial service for institutional investors, corporations, governments, and similar clients. Traditionally associated with corporate finance, such a bank might assist in raising financial capital by unde ...

. While Lisa wants to get out of the engagement, her mother Victoria urges her to go through with the wedding. Lisa's older sister Vanessa has two children by two different men, neither of whom are involved in their children's lives which Victoria regularly degrades Vanessa for. Vanessa is eventually wooed by bus driver Frankie Henderson, who is a single father and loves painting. Vanessa likes Frankie, but is emotionally distant and has a difficult time trusting him. After

Madea Mabel "Madea" Earlene Simmons is a character created and portrayed by Tyler Perry. She is portrayed as a tough, street-smart elderly African-American woman. Madea is based on Perry's mother and his aunt. In Perry's own words, Madea is "exactly ...

violates the terms of the

house arrest House arrest (also called home confinement, or nowadays electronic monitoring) is a legal measure where a person is required to remain at their residence under supervision, typically as an alternative to imprisonment. The person is confined b ...

she was previously subjected to to get Joe's medicine with her lawyer nephew Brian corroborating on, Judge

Mablean Ephriam Mablean Deloris Ephriam, Esq. (born April 23, 1949) is an American television personality and former Los Angeles prosecuting attorney. She is best known as the adjudicator of the courtroom series '' Divorce Court'' for seven seasons from 1999 ...

orders her to take in a

foster child Foster care is a system in which a minor has been placed into a ward, group home (residential child care community or treatment centre), or private home of a state-certified caregiver, referred to as a "foster parent", or with a family member ...

named Nikki in order to avoid jail. At first, Madea and Nikki clash due to the latter's disrespect, stemming from her poor life, including an absent father, a mother in jail, and various uncaring foster homes. However, Madea urges her to overcome her past with hard work, and strive to be better than those who wronged her. Nikki, with consistent support from Madea, reforms her behavior. Lisa eventually leaves Carlos with the intention of calling off the wedding, temporarily moving in with her great-aunt Madea and great-uncle Joe. Eager to get married, Carlos dispatches Victoria to bring Lisa back to him. Victoria confronts Carlos about the abuse. It is then revealed that Victoria, with Carlos's assistance, has stolen from Lisa's

trust fund A trust is a legal relationship in which the owner of property, or any transferable right, gives it to another to manage and use solely for the benefit of a designated person. In the English common law, the party who entrusts the property is k ...

over the years, leaving virtually no money and is now encouraging Lisa to marry Carlos in order to keep up her livelihood. Carlos makes it clear to Victoria that he will not bail her out unless the wedding goes forward. Victoria goes to Madea's house to fetch Lisa, only to end up in an argument with Vanessa, who has become aware of Carlos's abuse and wants to protect her sister. During the confrontation, Vanessa reveals that Victoria allowed her second husband, Lisa's father, to

rape Rape is a type of sexual assault involving sexual intercourse, or other forms of sexual penetration, carried out against a person without consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority, or against a person ...

Vanessa in order to keep him in the marriage. The

sexual abuse Sexual abuse or sex abuse is abusive sexual behavior by one person upon another. It is often perpetrated using physical force, or by taking advantage of another. It often consists of a persistent pattern of sexual assaults. The offender is re ...

then occurred on a regular basis and left Vanessa closed-off emotionally and unable to trust the men in her life, including Frankie. Victoria rationalizes her actions, telling her daughters that they faced destitution if Lisa's father had left, and that after previous hardships, she was tired of struggling. She also retorts that her own mother, a prostitute and

drug addict Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to use a drug or engage in a behavior that produces natural reward, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use can ...

, regularly traded her for "ten dollars and a fix". Victoria then demands that a horrified Lisa begin taking care of her financially. She then leaves and later lies to Lisa, telling her that Carlos has agreed to counseling. At the

held at the home of 96-year-old Aunt Ruby, Vanessa and Victoria get into another confrontation, which eventually turns into a physical fight after Victoria insults Vanessa's relationship with Frankie. The fight is broken up when Aunt Ruby, Madea's daughter-in-law Myrtle, and Ruby's daughter Aunt May gather the family to an old slave shack where their ancestors grew up. Ruby expresses disappointment at how the family has turned out. Myrtle persuades them to act lovingly towards each other and themselves. Lisa returns to Carlos and resumes her wedding plans. On the day of her wedding, Lisa flees from Carlos and retreats to Madea's house. Madea tells her that it is time for her to fight back. When Carlos arrives at Madea's house, Madea subtly suggests to Lisa to use the pot of hot grits on the stove to defend herself as Madea previously taught her. When Madea leaves the house, Carlos slaps Lisa. In retaliation, she throws the hot grits in Carlos' face, scalding him, then beats him with a cast-iron frying pan as Madea listens outside and laughs. At the church, Lisa announces to the family and other guests that the wedding is off and exposes Carlos' abuse. Madea lambasts a sour Victoria and tells her to find her own life instead of continuing to live through Lisa. Frankie then asks Vanessa to marry him and she accepts. They are married at the church instead. At the reception, Victoria accepts Vanessa's marriage, revealing possible reconciliation.

Cast

as: ** Mabel "Madea" Simmons, a tough old lady. ** Joe Simmons, the brother of Madea who is a wisecracker. ** Brian Simmons, a lawyer who is the son of Joe and the nephew of Madea. *

as Carlos Armstrong, a controlling investment banker who is loosely based on Ronnie from the stage play. *

as Victoria Breaux, a gold-digging woman and a niece of Madea. *

as Frankie Henderson, a bus driver who is also a painter. *

as Isaac, a nephew of Madea who is antagonized by Joe when he was repairing Madea's lawnmower. *

as Vanessa Breaux-Henderson, the grand-niece of Madea and daughter of Victoria who falls for Frankie after two bad relationships. *

as Aunt May, a cousin of Madea. *

as Lisa Breaux, the grand-niece of Madea and daughter of Victoria who is to be engaged to Carlos. *

as Milay Jenay Lori, a wedding planner who was hired by Victoria. *

as Nikki Grady, a girl who Madea takes in. * Tangi Miller as Donna, the love interest of Isaac and sister of Brian. *

as Aunt Myrtle, Madea's daughter-in-law. * China Anderson as Nima, the daughter of Vanessa. * Akhil Jackson as Jonathan, the son of Vanessa and the younger half-brother of Nima. * Alonzo Millsap as Tre, the son of Frankie. *

Georgia Allen Georgia Williams Allen (May 12, 1919 – January 11, 2014) was an American actress. She was active from 1949 to 2006, beginning in local theater before progressing to both television and movie roles. Early life Allen was born in Beaumont, Texas ...

as Aunt Ruby, a 96-year-old aunt of Madea who is the mother of May and Sarah. *

Cassi Davis Cassi Davis-Patton (born July 11, 1964) is an American actress best known for her role as Ella Payne on ''Tyler Perry's House of Payne'' and its spin-off series '' The Paynes''. She is also known as Aunt Bam in the ''Madea'' franchise since ...

as Aunt Sarah, a cousin of Madea and the sister of May. * Leon Lamar as Grover, a cousin of Madea and Joe. * John Lawhorn as Uncle Pete, a cousin of Madea and Joe. *

Afemo Omilami Afemo Omilami (born December 13, 1950) is an American actor. Early life Omilami was born in Petersburg, Virginia on December 13, 1950. Afemo has not made any public reference to his paternal background, however his name has ties to the Yoruba co ...

as Isaac Sr., the father of Isaac and cousin of Madea and Joe. *

as Herself * Deanna Dawn as Tyrequa * Enoch King as Hykeem * Jennifer Sears as an unnamed female at the family reunion. * Tre Rogers as an unnamed young man at the family reunion. * Elizabeth Omilami as Aunt Clara, a relative of Madea. * Nicholas Ortiz as Himself *

Johnny Gill Johnny Gill Jr. (born May 22, 1966) is an American singer and songwriter. He is the sixth and final member of the R&B/ pop group New Edition and was also a member of the supergroup called LSG, with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. Gill has rel ...

as a wedding singer * David Wiebers as Wedding Trumpeter *

China Anne McClain China Anne McClain (born August 25, 1998) is an American actress and singer. McClain's career began when she was seven years old, portraying Alexis in the film ''The Gospel'' (2005), and then China James in ''Daddy's Little Girls'' (2007). She ...

as Youth (uncredited)

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was released by

Motown Records Motown is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. Founded by Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, it was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau ...

on February 21, 2006.

Release and reception

Box office

''Madea's Family Reunion'' was budgeted at $6 million and opened at #1 in its opening weekend (2/24-26) with $30,030,661 and eventually grossed $63,257,940 in North America with an additional $50,939 internationally, tying $63,308,879 worldwide after 9 weeks in theaters. Small independent filmmaker Tyler Perry has garnered one of the highest wide-release openings to date in 2006, in both gross ($30 million) and screen average ($13,687). "The number one movie is ''Madea's Family Reunion'', a small comedy/melodrama which grossed an astounding $30.3 million from 2,194 venues. It had a super-hot venue average of $13,787...." "Playing at 2,194 locations across

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, Northern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South Ameri ...

, the film averaged a remarkable estimated $13,788 per screen, demonstrating the enormous breadth and depth of Perry's audience. The debut weekend of ''Madea's Family Reunion'' outperformed the opening weekend of Lionsgate's first Tyler Perry film, ''

'', by nearly 40 percent." To illustrate the point, Lions Gate's

exit poll An election exit poll is a poll of voters taken immediately after they have exited the polling stations. A similar poll conducted before actual voters have voted is called an entrance poll. Pollsters – usually private companies working fo ...

s showed 52 percent of the audience were black women over the age of 35.

Critical response

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review aggregator, review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee ...

it has an approval rating of 26%, based on 58 reviews, with an average rating of 4.50/10. The site's consensus reads "''Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion'' is sincere in its positive intentions, but leaves something to be desired as a film." On

Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...

, it has a score of 45% based on reviews from 18 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audiences polled by

CinemaScore CinemaScore is an American market research firm based in Las Vegas. It surveys film audiences to rate their viewing experiences with letter grades, reports the results, and forecasts box office receipts from the data. Background Ed Mintz, who ...

gave the film an A grade.

Notes

References

External links

* * {{Authority control Madea films 2006 films 2006 romantic comedy-drama films Films set in Georgia (U.S. state) Films shot in Atlanta Films about domestic violence American romantic comedy-drama films Films directed by Tyler Perry African-American films American sequel films Lionsgate films Films with screenplays by Tyler Perry 2006 directorial debut films 2000s English-language films 2000s American films English-language romantic comedy-drama films