Movie review: Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls
Tyler Perry is well known for his plays, his movies, and his outrageous character Madea. For his third feature film, Daddy’s Little Girls, Perry takes a more serious tone. This film, unlike his previous efforts, does not feature Madea, Joe, or any of the other characters Perry usually brings to life. Choosing to stay behind the camera, Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls has all the heavy material of Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea’s Family Reunion without the moments of levity and comic relief.
Daddy’s Little Girls tells the story of Monty (actor Idris Elba), a poor but goodhearted mechanic struggling to care for his three young daughters and make ends meet. The girls’ mother, Jennifer, is a drug addict living with a dangerous gang leader. She only wants custody of her children to spite Monty, and finds her opportunity when an accidental kitchen fire places the girls in danger. When the child court system places the girls in the custody of their mother and her abusive boyfriend, Monty enlists the services of high profile lawyer Julia (actress Gabrielle Union) to get them back.
Sparks quickly fly between Monty and Julia, despite the differences in their lifestyles. But when information about Monty’s past is revealed during a custody hearing, and tensions flair between Monty and gang leader Joseph, Julia thinks she may have gotten herself into more than she bargained for.
Daddy’s Little Girls is, in many ways, a reverse Cinderella story. Both Monty and Julia have to overcome their daily struggles, as well as their misconceptions about each other, on the road to happiness. It’s a story of two people who have to let go of what they thought they needed in order to get what they want.
While Daddy’s Little Girls lacks the charm of Perry’s previous efforts, it is not entirely without merit. The storyline has been done, but the characters have depth and feeling. Although the film could benefit from some comic relief, the serious tone it takes throughout makes the ending far more satisfying. Daddy’s Little Girls may not be a must-see film, but fans of Perry will not be disappointed. It’s definitely worth the cost of rental.