Synopsis:
WDIGMT begins with the couples re-convening in the Bahamas for their annual(?) marital reaffirmation retreat. Each couple is dealing with some issues and the retreat serves as a reminder of why they are a couple in the first place. All of the couple's issues are pretty straightforward with the exception of Patricia and Gavin because there really is no explanation of exactly what their issue(s) are. It's partially grief from the loss of their son but none of that is ever explicitly stated. Gavin feels unloved and unappreciated, Patricia is hording her feelings and not sharing what is the root of her unhappines and they're coming undone. Terry and Diane's marriage looks good on the outside but like most marriages there's more going on (or not) inside. His wife Diane is uncharacteristically happy to the point that she's glowing like an alien from Cocoon. Their issue lies in exactly why is Diane so happy? Shelia and Troy are together, in love, and struggling financially; not unlike a good number of marriages. Angela and Marcus' issue is clear as day as Angela has no problem shouting out what her concerns are. Marcus is cheating and nobody can tell her different. To spice things up a bit Mike, the "villian" from WDIGM, returns and plays the third (7th) wheel, deep in reflection mode.
Critique:
There are no standout performances in WDIGMT. Angela's performance was great in the first installment but a little much in the second. We get it, she's loud, obnoxious, and unreasonable. However, she has a vulnerable moment in the film that was the most endearing because it provided a glimpse into why she is the way she is. Kudos to Marcus because he has the patience of Job. The other performaces were pretty straightforward, not good, not bad. Janet cried her eyes out but that was understandable considering the year she's had. This film provided the perfect outlet for her to, as Gavin said, purge. I don't think anyone would begrudge her shedding some extra tears. I do feel I have seen Sheila and Troy's relationship before except it was Bird and Lem in Soul Food. Terry and Diane didn't really do too much. In the first installment they argued about real issues. In this film their previous issues are happily behind them and their current issue is handled rather meekly. The inclusion of their characters at all seemed rather unnecessary for the amount of attention they were given.
My other major critique is the absence of the female voice. Most of the marital problems in this film were caused by the women. With the exception of Gavin blacking out, the men all came across as "victims" of their wives' actions. Even as a man who has been known to call women crazy, I will admit that relationship/marital strife is caused by both parties. In some cases one party is more at fault than the other but in this film it was mostly the women causing the men (in the film and watching?) to ask why they got married.
As a film dealing with some serious issues Why Did I Get Married Too is a good start. There's a lot going on, arguably too much for one movie, and thus no one couple's issues are fleshed out enough, nor resolved convincingly. It's like a math problem that was presented and answered but the movie doesn't really show the work. From tumultuous beginnings happy endings just sort of "happen" after each couple's epiphany in the wake of tragedy. In the end all is right with the marital world. If only it were that simple. Despite its lack of depth WDIGMT does a good job of identifying marital issues that exist beyond just cheating. It has funny moments, melo-dramatic daytime emmy worthy moments, and some inner soul searching moments. I certainly did not leave the film asking myself why did I watch this movie? I trust you won't either.
Final Grade: C+ (grade inflation is a mutha) C-
Epilogue:
Plenty of people have problems with Tyler Perry, I am not one of them. I won't go so far as to say that he is producing stellar, awe inspiring cinema, but not every filmmaker does. Just because he's black I don't hold him to a standard above what is afforded to filmakers outside of the Black community. If Adam Sandler can urge (un)funny people not to mess with the Zohan, by all means, TP can get his chuckles and tears in where they fit in. And where they fit is squarely outside of Hollywood. TP bears the burden of being the most prominent black filmmaker but it's a good burden to have. I will also add that Tyler Perry studios definitely needs outside writers. I'm sure there are plenty of burgeoning writers looking for an opportunity. Opportunities that would help diversify TP Studios offerings and make it a vehicle for more black films and not just Perry's black films. Overall though, I don't knock his hustle because unlike other successful black entreprenuers, his hustle isn't detrimental to the community it aims to serve and he is committed to pursuing it with his own dollars.
