For Colored Girls (2010)

Each of the women portray one of the characters represented in the collection of twenty poems, revealing different issues that impact women in general and women of color in particular.

Director:

Tyler Perry

Writers:

Tyler Perry (screenplay), Ntozake Shange (play)

Stars:

Janet Jackson, Anika Noni Rose, Whoopi Goldberg

15 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kimberly Elise	...	Crystal / Brown
Janet Jackson	...	Jo / Red
Loretta Devine	...	Juanita / Green
Thandie Newton	...	Tangie / Orange
Anika Noni Rose	...	Yasmine / Yellow
Kerry Washington	...	Kelly / Blue
Tessa Thompson	...	Nyla / Purple
Phylicia Rashad	...	Gilda
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Alice / White
Macy Gray	...	Rose
Michael Ealy	...	Beau Willie
Omari Hardwick	...	Carl
Richard Lawson	...	Frank
Hill Harper	...	Donald
Khalil Kain	...	Bill

Storyline

The movie is based on Ntozake Shange's play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf." Unlike the original play which featured only 7 women known by colors performing the collection of 20 poems, the movie has given each of the 20 characters names. Each of the poems deal with intense issues that particularly impact women in a thought-provoking commentary on what it means to be a female of color in the world.

---

Plot Keywords:

sex scene | poem | f rated | african american protagonist | three word title | 

---

Taglines:

Many voices. One poem.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some disturbing violence including a rape, sexual content and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The trailer for the film is scored with a cover of Nina Simone's 1966 song "Four Women", which (like the play this movie is based on) tells the stories of several African American women who have had to deal with societal ills caused by the legacies of slavery and racism.

---

Goofs

When the "Lady in Green", Loretta Devine, does her solo of "Someone took my stuff" because her boyfriend walked out on her; she has on two different green earrings.

---

Quotes

Man #2: Wait, wait, wait. Look, I got something to tell you. I only have about $80 on me.
Tangie: What are you talking about?
Man #2: That's all I have. If you want to go to the ATM, we can do that.
Tangie: You think I'm a hooker?
Man #2: Aren't you?
Tangie: No!
Man #2: I'm sorry. I'm drunk.
[starts laughing]
Tangie: What is so funny?
Man #2: I guess I'm just old-fashioned. What kind of woman picks a man up in a bar and brings him back to her place if she's not a hooker?
[...]

---

Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.26 (2010)

---

Soundtracks

I Know Who I Am
Written by Greg Barnhill, Joanna Cotten and Melissa Manchester
Performed by Leona Lewis
Published by EMI April Music Inc. o/b/o itself and Land of Cotten (ASCAP), Green City Music,
admin. by RPM Music Group/Green Wilderness Music, admin. by RPM Music Group (SESAC) and Melissa Manchester Music (BMI)/Bug Music (BMI) administered by Bug
Courtesy of Simco Limited

User Reviews

Tyler's Best So Far...

Let me start off by saying that I am NOT a fan of Tyler Perry's past movies, television shows, or plays. They are not funny and over the top. Just not my cup of tea. However, I thoroughly found this movie worth the $10.50 I paid to see it on opening night. Some of the other reviews were surprising. At no point did I feel the movie to be slow. In fact, I thought the movie constantly pounded on our emotions to almost a point of exhaustion. I also thought that the prose to fit fairly well with the dialog. There were times when two people were talking at the same time that made it difficult to follow, but I understood the intent and liked the effect. Tyler has made progress in his directing abilities. He still has work to do, but this was by far his best work. I look forward to seeing this movie again.

As for the acting...Rashad, Devine, Elise, Newton, and Rose were the standouts. In fact, I cannot see anyone except Loretta Devine in that role now...she owned it! Whoopie is still a superb actress. I agree with many other reviewers, Janet Jackson just does not have it. I question Tyler's judgement in picking Janet for a fairly meaty role. Clearly she patterned much of her part from Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada" and did not pull it off. She looked terrific though! Other seasoned more proved actresses could have done a much better job with that role. Halle, Vivica or even Robin Givens anyone? Bring your tissues. Pay attention. It is a good movie.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 November 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$21,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,497,324, 7 November 2010

Gross USA:

$37,729,698

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$37,981,984

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lionsgate, Tyler Perry Studios, 34th Street Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1