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I Can Do Bad All By Myself

Stars: Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez

Director: Tyler Perry

Rated: PG-13

Runtime: 113 minutes

Drama/comedy

One-man movie industry Tyler Perry's heartfelt drama is one of his best offerings yet, combining love, laughs, tears and a killer soundtrack.

His rude, crude grandmother Madea rears her unfunny head but thankfully she takes a back seat.

The movie kicks off with the grumpy senior catching three kids trying to rob her home. She takes them to their only relative, their young aunt April (Taraji P. Henson), a nightclub singer who lives off her married lover.

She wants little to do with them or parental responsibility and furiously drives away anyone who cares about her, family and community.

But when handsome Colombian Sandino (CSI Miami's Adam Rodriguez) rents out her basement room, he helps her to open her heart to family life and true love.

The movie is light on laughs or originality of script, which is terribly cheesy and a tad soap opera-ish at times.

But the movie is packed with great Gospel music performed by the legendary Gladys Knight, plus a show-stopping turn by soul diva Mary J. Blige as a club barmaid.

Henson - Oscar-nominated for Benjamin Button - also shines as feisty April.

There is great conviction in her performance, which is both impassioned and incredibly moving.

Watch if you liked: Why Did I Get Married, Meet The Browns.

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