Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard star in director, Tyler Perry’s newest project. This “dramedy” revolves around two lifelong buddies and the issues swirling around their respective families. Bates is Charlotte Cartwright, matriarch of the Cartwright family and ruler of the multi-million dollar family corporation. Her son, William (Cole Hauser), is a high powered executive in the company. From the beginning it’s obvious that Mama Cartwright is not very pleased with her son’s life choices. One point of contention is her pride & joy’s decision to elope without her consent. As a result, William’s wife, Jillian (KaDee Strickland), receives nothing but scorn from her mother in law.



Woodard’s clan is a little less high strung but no less intense. Alice Pratt runs a diner that serves up hot coffee and fresh clothes for those in need. She has two daughters Pam (Taraji P. Henson) and Andrea (Sanaa Lathan). Pam works with mom at the diner and has a loving relationship with her husband, Ben (Tyler Perry). Then there’s Andrea who graduated first in her class and has her nose pointing upwards 24/7. Even her loving husband, Chris (Rockmond Dunbar), and their son play second fiddle to her career and her 'ahem' extracurricualr activities.


Pam (T. Henson) vs Andrea (S. Lathan). Round One.

So those are the players. The plot is split up into two parts. Most of the story revolves around the affair that William and Andrea are having in and out of the office. It’s only a matter of time before the truth is revealed and everyone reacts in their own specific way. The other part of the film is about Charlotte coaxing Alice to go on an impromptu car trek across the US. At first Alice is hesitant but she decides that it is time for her to live rather than just exist.

Honestly, I thought this movie was going to be a fight over a Southern estate between two families of opposite races. I didn’t see the trailer so I just went by the visual on the movie poster. I was in for a couple of shocks when I saw what “Preys” was truly about.

Y’all have to understand that I am a major Tyler Perry fan so I’m not even going to try to be impartial here. I loved “The Family That Preys”. I am glad that Perry has proven that he can make a film work without the involvement of a certain chain smoking, gun toting old woman. Hey, I get a kick out of Madea as much as anybody but it's a relief to see that Mr. Perry doesn't have to rely on one character to make a great story.


Abby (R. Givens) watches another Warm & Fuzzy Cartwright Family Moment

I love Mr. Perry’s dramas because they truly do speak to the common man, the average joe, everyday people. The issues are things that a lot of us can relate to but of course Perry has to take it one step further.

One prime example of that is when Andrea reveals that not only has she been sleeping with the boss for years but her son is the product of those escapades. Yep, that means Chris has been fathering the child of the man who's been doing his wife. Classic Tyler Perry.


William (C. Hauser) & Andrea (S. Lathan) Caught In The Act By Jillian (K. Strickland) GASP!!

I know critics bash his movies for all sorts of reasons. As for this reviewer I loved all the performances especially Bates & Woodard. Their homage to “Oprah & Gayle” was a joy to watch. It was hilarious and heartwarming to venture along with the duo as they visited bars, strip joints, revivals and New Orleans. Charlotte is totally daring and uninhibited while Alice tries to keep things from getting too wild. I adore both actresses and it was thrilling to see them both working together.


Charlotte (K. Bates) Shows Alice (A. Woodard) A Different Kind of "Worship"

Sanaa Lathan was so deliciously witchy and arrogant but I did feel some compassion for her character. Andrea simply wanted to succeed. Unfortunately, even with all her book smarts she still took the path of foolishness. Taraji P. Henson is just as charming and sassy in this film as she was in “Talk To Me”. The most standout performance in my eyes was Robin Givens. Ms. Givens portrays “Abby Dexter”, the new CFO hired by Miss Cartwright.


Hello Abby Dexter! (R. Givens)

Abby is the moral conscience in the office. In other words she is the walking contradiction to Andrea’s business ethics. Instead of sleeping her way to the top Abby climbs the ladder of success without sacrificing her character or her marriage. She even tries to save Andrea from her tawdry ways.

Oh yes, Miss Dexter is a Missus. A point she makes in a poignant moment when William attempts to offer his rival a private dinner invitation. Givens has played the corporate queen many times over but that dash of honor made for an extremely positive role model. Abby represents the laborer who doesn’t cut corners to make it to the top.

A part of me would love to continue counting the ways about “The Family That Preys” but I think I’ve revealed enough spoilers. I’ll wrap up by saying that Tyler Perry fans should enjoy this as much as Perry’s past films and should be impressed that his cinematic skills are growing ever sharper with each project he puts on the screen. Those unfamiliar with Perry’s work can expect a heartwarming drama with some dashes of humor, sprinkles of spirituality and a big heaping of “chick flick” sensibilities.


Driving Miss Cartwright.