Somewhat laudatory article in 'The New Yorker' magazine on Perry (
abstract of article on Tyler Perry). The black female writer contrasted Perry's work with that of 'white boys' (her words) like Judd Apatow (thankfully for her career she didn't use the dreaded 'J' word). Perry deals with mature subjects while Apatow's world is one of eternal adolescence. One complaint is the good, redemptive characters in Perry's movies are light-skinned while the heavies are dark-skinned.
Perry went from obscurity to wealth and influence by filling a market niche somewhere between thug-life dramatizations and 'The Cosby Show'. His attitude towards whites seems relatively benign, or at least not as toxic as other black directors.
Stephen Kendrick markets to the white church audience with movies like 'Fireproof' and 'Facing The Giants'. While Perry doesn't bother with having white characters beyond mere tokens Kendrick makes a point of having major roles for blacks, often the sensible best friend ready with sage advice. Perry emphasizes humor, often quite broad and crass, while Kendrick's work is sober and understated.
Perry emphasis explicit moral lessons, such as fidelity and chastity before marriage. Kendrick seems to assume such things are givens in the white church audiences he appeals to. Kendrick concerns himself more with the difficulties faced by married couples.
Is Perry homosexual? He was repeatedly molested as a child and there is no hint of a current or past female love interest. Theater, cross-dressing and as a 22-year-old watching Oprah for inspiration.
Edited by: Charlie