| Photos (See all 31 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 5) |
| Kimberly Elise | ... | Helen | |
| Steve Harris | ... | Charles | |
| Tyler Perry | ... | Madea / Brian / Joe | |
| Shemar Moore | ... | Orlando | |
| Lisa Marcos | ... | Brenda | |
| Tamara Taylor | ... | Debrah | |
| Cicely Tyson | ... | Myrtle | |
| Terrell Carter | ... | Reverend Carter | |
| Carol Mitchell-leon | ... | Mildred (as Carol Mitchell-Leon) | |
| Avery Knight | ... | BJ | |
| Vickie Eng | ... | Christina | |
| Tiffany Evans | ... | Tiffany | |
| Gary Anthony Sturgis | ... | Jamison (as Gary Sturgis) | |
| Bart Hansard | ... | Guard | |
| Chandra Currelley-Young | ... | Chandra | |
| Sho Dixon | ... | Child | |
| Tamela J. Mann | ... | Cora (as Tamela Mann) | |
| Ric Reitz | ... | D.A | |
| Lauren Leah Mitchell | ... | Doctor | |
| Mike Pniewski | ... | Foreman | |
| Wilbur Fitzgerald | ... | Judge | |
| L. Warren Young | ... | Judge | |
| Mablean Ephriam | ... | Judge Ephriam (as Judge Mablean Ephriam) | |
| Tony Vaughn | ... | Juror | |
| E. Roger Mitchell | ... | Kalvin | |
| Cedric Pendleton | ... | Max | |
| Richard Reed | ... | Bailiff | |
| Joe Washington | ... | Reporter | |
| Kate Donadio | ... | Secretary | |
| Syr Law | ... | Woman (as Crystal Porter) | |
| Ryan Gentles | ... | Bartender | |
| Ronnie Garrett | ... | Band Member | |
| Marcus Williams | ... | Band Member #2 | |
| Earl Fleming | ... | Band Member #3 | |
| Christian Keyes | ... | Man Proposing | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Vic Aviles | ... | Party Guest (uncredited) | |
| Michael Beasley | ... | Himself / Madea Photo-Double (uncredited) | |
| Nicky Buggs | ... | Nurse (uncredited) | |
| Laurie Gardner | ... | Nurse (uncredited) | |
| Robert Hatch | ... | Ballroom Dancer (uncredited) | |
| Donnie McClurkin | ... | Pastor (uncredited) | |
| John Fitzgerald Page | ... | Dr. Frank Doyle (uncredited) | |
| Cheryl Pepsii Riley | ... | Singer at Banquet (uncredited) | |
| Brandon Thaxton | ... | Church Parishioner (uncredited) | |
| Craig Thaxton | ... | Church Van Driver (uncredited) | |
| Shane Thaxton | ... | Church Parishioner (uncredited) | |
| Constantine Varazo | ... | Lawyer / Ball Room Dancer (uncredited) | |
| Joe Walsh | ... | Steel Worker (uncredited) | |
| Steve Warren | ... | Lawyer at Banquet (uncredited) | |
Directed by | |||
| Darren Grant | |||
Writing credits | ||
| Tyler Perry | (play) | |
| Tyler Perry | (written by) | |
Original Music by | |||
| Elvin Ross | |||
Cinematography by | |||
| David Claessen | |||
Film Editing by | |||
| Terilyn A. Shropshire | |||
Casting by | |||
| Shay Griffin | |||
| Kim Williams | |||
Production Design by | |||
| Ina Mayhew | |||
Set Decoration by | |||
| Joseph Litsch | |||
Costume Design by | |||
| Keith G. Lewis | |||
Makeup Department | |||
| Matiki Anoff | .... | makeup department head | |
| Cynthia L. Chapman | .... | key hair stylist | |
| Patrice Coleman | .... | key makeup artist | |
| Daisy Curbeon | .... | wigmaker: Ms. Elise | |
| Bill Johnson | .... | prosthetics makeup (as Bill 'Splat' Johnson) | |
| Taylor Knight | .... | hair department head | |
| Monty Schuth | .... | wig maker | |
| Rameses Shepherd | .... | barber: Mr. Perry | |
| Linda Thompson | .... | hair stylist (as Linda Clark-Thompson) | |
| Denise Tunnell | .... | makeup artist | |
| Brent Conley | .... | special makeup effects assistant (uncredited) | |
Production Management | |||
| Rosemary Lara | .... | production manager: Lions Gate Films | |
| Molly M. Mayeux | .... | unit production manager | |
| Carl Pedregal | .... | post-production supervisor | |
Art Department | |||
| Cheryl Adams | .... | set dressing buyer | |
| Taylor Bennett | .... | scenic gang boss | |
| Christopher Didiot | .... | set dresser | |
| Roland Heart | .... | set dresser | |
| Chris Hunter | .... | storyboard artist | |
| Kathleen Kasinger | .... | property master | |
| Johnny Land | .... | painter | |
| Alba Leone | .... | lead person | |
| Alisa Lumbreras | .... | charge scenic artist | |
| Jeremy McGuire | .... | art department coordinator | |
| Robert Tate Nichols | .... | set dresser | |
| Lauren Soldwisch | .... | set painter | |
| Lance Totten | .... | set dresser | |
| Greg Waddle | .... | additional buyer | |
| Benier Koranache | .... | storyboard artist (uncredited) | |
Sound Department | |||
| Jeremy Balko | .... | foley mixer | |
| Dhyana Carlton-Tims | .... | assistant dialogue editor | |
| Alan Freedman | .... | adr mixer | |
| Jim Hawkins | .... | sound recordist | |
| Douglas L. Hill | .... | boom operator (as Doug Hill) | |
| Scott Hinkley | .... | post-production sound recordist | |
| Dean Hovey | .... | sound effects editor | |
| Spencer Johnson | .... | foley editor | |
| Cody King | .... | assistant sound editor | |
| Colt Logan | .... | sound utility | |
| Jim MacMorran | .... | additional adr recordist | |
| Andrew Morgado | .... | assistant sound editor | |
| Jay Nierenberg | .... | supervising sound editor | |
| Todd Niesen | .... | dialogue editor | |
| Stuart Provine | .... | sound effects editor | |
| Vic Radulich | .... | dialogue editor | |
| Shelley Roden | .... | foley artist | |
| Jonathan Wales | .... | sound re-recording mixer | |
| Bernard Weiser | .... | sound editor | |
Visual Effects by | |||
| Ryan Beadle | .... | digital I/O | |
| Mark Dornfeld | .... | visual effects supervisor | |
| R.J. Harbour | .... | digital compositor | |
| Shaina Holmes | .... | digital compositor | |
| Shaina Holmes | .... | digital coordinator | |
| Lori C. Miller | .... | digital compositor | |
| Mitch Paulson | .... | digital preview colorist | |
| L. Elizabeth Powers | .... | digital art director (as Laurie Powers) | |
| Amani Williams | .... | digital compositor | |
Stunts | |||
| Ernest Peterson | .... | stunt double | |
| Derrick Simmons | .... | stunt double: Steve Harris | |
| Gus Williams | .... | stunt coordinator | |
Camera and Electrical Department | |||
| Chris Antignane | .... | electrician | |
| Pete Bowman | .... | grip | |
| J. Christopher Campbell | .... | grip (as Chris Campbell) | |
| Stephen Crocker | .... | assistant camera: second unit | |
| Alfeo Dixon | .... | still photographer | |
| David Ellis | .... | best boy rigging electrician | |
| Jos'h Hancher | .... | assistant camera | |
| Chris Lumpkin | .... | electrician | |
| David McLean | .... | gaffer | |
| Mark Miller | .... | electrician | |
| James H. Pair III | .... | dolly grip: "a" camera (as James Tripp Pair III) | |
| Jesse Wayne Parker | .... | key grip | |
| Malcolm A. Purnell | .... | second assistant camera | |
| Michael Robertson | .... | best boy electric | |
| Mike Robertson | .... | best boy electric | |
| Jacob Ross | .... | grip | |
| Ted Sapp | .... | grip | |
| Chad Schroeder | .... | electrician | |
| David J. Thompson | .... | Steadicam operator | |
| David J. Thompson | .... | camera operator: "a" camera | |
| Trey Twitty | .... | camera loader | |
| Mike Tyson | .... | electrician | |
| Randy Tharpe | .... | electrician (uncredited) | |
Animation Department | |||
| Gary Hebert | .... | animator | |
Casting Department | |||
| Xavion Lay | .... | extras casting assistant | |
| Kelly Marshall | .... | extras casting | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Layne Brightwell | .... | key set costumer | |
| Sekinah Brown | .... | costumer | |
| Zandra Harding | .... | wardrobe shopper | |
| Meta Issa | .... | costumer (as Meta Moise) | |
| Gertrude Moore | .... | head tailor | |
| Carol Sadler | .... | wardrobe supervisor | |
Editorial Department | |||
| Ursula Camack | .... | post-production assistant | |
| Coral D'Alessandro | .... | post-production assistant | |
| Christi Franck | .... | post-production assistant | |
| Dale E. Grahn | .... | color timer | |
| Kenny Marsten | .... | first assistant editor | |
| Mark McCoy | .... | post-production coordinator | |
Music Department | |||
| Lloyd Barry | .... | orchestrator | |
| Yvette Deveraux | .... | musician (Solo Violinist) | |
| Yvette Devereaux | .... | conductor | |
| John Forbes | .... | composer: additional music | |
| Brad Haehnel | .... | music mixer | |
| Camara Kambon | .... | music supervisor | |
Transportation Department | |||
| Mike Robinson | .... | driver: grip truck | |
| Sharon Williams | .... | driver | |
Other crew | |||
| Bree Bailey | .... | assistant: Mr. Paseornek | |
| Cassandra Barbour | .... | rights and clearances | |
| Jackie Bazan | .... | publicist | |
| Erika Bryant | .... | assistant: Mr. Perry | |
| A. Lynne Chaney | .... | accounting clerk (as Lynne Chaney) | |
| Bonnie Chaney | .... | production accountant | |
| Alfeo Dixon | .... | location scout | |
| Derrick Doose | .... | key set production assistant | |
| Ava DuVernay | .... | talent consultant | |
| Lisa Gooding | .... | legal supervisor | |
| Pamela B. Green | .... | producer: main title sequence | |
| Michael J. Harker | .... | completion bond company representative | |
| Gary Hebert | .... | title designer | |
| Jalyn Henton | .... | assistant production office coordinator | |
| Tony Holley | .... | location assistant | |
| Gail Hunter | .... | script supervisor | |
| Abbey Lessanu | .... | assistant: Mr. Cannon | |
| Paul Lowe | .... | set medic | |
| Ricardo Lozier | .... | craft service (as Ricardo Rico Lozier) | |
| Daniel MacArthur | .... | production coordinator: Lions Gate Films | |
| Norman P. Martin | .... | craft service assistant | |
| Shandra L. McDonald | .... | assistant: Mr. Cannon (as Shandra McDonald) | |
| Robert M. Melnik | .... | executive vice president of business affairs | |
| Curtis A. Miller | .... | director of production: Lions Gate Films | |
| Khanya Mkhize | .... | adr loop group | |
| Michael E. Morales | .... | production legal counsel | |
| Senia Phillips | .... | animal trainer: "Rags the Dog" | |
| David Albert Pierce | .... | additional legal services | |
| Emily Rice | .... | post-production accountant | |
| Rebecca Rienks | .... | assistant: Joel C. High | |
| Mike Riley | .... | location manager | |
| Ryan Schaetzle | .... | assistant location manager | |
| Tara A. Senior | .... | additional legal services | |
| Laura Sevier | .... | rights and clearances | |
| Amanda Shamis | .... | business affairs coordinator | |
| Jackie Short | .... | first assistant auditor | |
| Bo Shurling | .... | unit publicist | |
| Donna Sloan | .... | senior vice president of production: Lions Gate Films | |
| Michael C. Smith | .... | police coordinator | |
| Rozanne Stark | .... | set teacher | |
| Edwanna Tabb | .... | production secretary | |
| Katie Taylor | .... | production assistant | |
| Mark S. Temple | .... | production legal | |
| Jeremy Thomas | .... | production assistant | |
| Ron Timmons | .... | set production assistant | |
| Cynthia Todd | .... | unit publicist | |
| Katie Willard Troebs | .... | production coordinator | |
| Jarik Van Sluijs | .... | creative director: main titles | |
| Deidre Walker | .... | assistant: Mr. Grant | |
| Regina Williams | .... | production assistant | |
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| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
First of all, let me lay my cards on the table. (Poker, anyone?) I am white, male, nonchristian, over 40, college-educated, and live in the northeast. I'm old enough to remember the original "Diary of a Mad Housewife" and when "Miss Jane Pittman" first aired, and I have done the electric slide, lived in the south (never been to Atlanta, but love Georgia), and have attended barbecues--but know very little about the "chitlin circuit." Yet I (and the two white friends I went with) loved this movie!
As I see it, people who have witnessed this movie can be divided into two camps: 1) reviewers (probably mostly white) who disliked the movie even when they tried to like it and 2) ordinary people (mostly probably black, as many tell us) who loved it. So why do many apparently white viewers not "get it"? Why did I see it in my mostly white area with only about five other people in the audience?
Well, a lot of people didn't like "Showgirls" or "Carwash" or "Lonely Lady" when they first came out, and now those are cult hits, even "classics." "Diary" is only like those movies in that it is similarly over-the-top, unapologetic, irony-free, awkward, amateurish (that is, not slick), and yet so intrinsically watchable you can't take your eyes of the screen for a split second. I must admit that I probably laughed at some "inappropriate" moments, but then so did Madea. The whole faith-based initiative Christian-values quasi-Republican "message" might have made me wince or even gag in another context, but is delivered so sincerely here you can't help but forgive just as Jesus (or Helen!) would.
One could only call this movie operatic or "Shakespearian." Wait--I'm not trying to sound pretentious, only trying to point out that like Shakespeare this movie mixes high melodrama with "low" comedic relief, music, and spectacle. The comic actors comment upon and undercut the ultra-seriousness or piety of the rest of the story--and so we can only enjoy it more when the plot rides another twist on its emotional roller-coaster.
Tyler Perry is obviously a man with a vision--he doesn't have the finesse of Eddie Murphy, perhaps, but I admit I was halfway through the movie before I realized he was playing both Madea and old Joe AND Brian. My fear is now that he will be sucked in by Hollywood, the executives will convince him to deliver what they think white people want or "need," and he will lose his rough but raucous magic. So when Hollywood comes knocking, please don't answer, Mr. Perry!
When I went into this movie I was grumbling that ticket prices had gone up to ten dollars, but since we are given about five films for the price of one, I consider it a very good deal. It is simply one of the most astonishing movies I've ever seen.