In his latest film production, Tyler Perry plays Wesley Deeds, a successful businessman who always did what was expected of him. He inherited his father’s business, became engaged to the woman his overbearing mother wanted him to marry, took care of his jealous and irascible older brother, and ate the same foods every day.
Because of this, he always felt unfulfilled.
When his path crossed with rude and fiery Lindsey Wakefield, played by Thandie Newton, a single mother facing homelessness and working as a janitor at his company, Wesley found a chance to make a difference.
From buying her and her six-year-old child dinner to eventually saving Lindsey from losing her daughter, Wesley learned to finally embrace spontaneity, and his dream of motorcycling across Africa and digging water-wells was reawakened.
Good Deeds is an uplifting film that leaves you feeling good and inspired to follow your dreams. It is completely different from the films Perry usually produces.
Instead of being an over the top comedy involving Perry playing crazy characters such as an old woman, Good Deeds was solemn and heartfelt. In fact, some parts of the movie were so tragic that my mother and I teared up more than once while watching it. The most moving scenes were those depicting Lindsey struggling with the hand she was dealt and doing everything she could to keep her daughter.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is the acting, which was compelling and well executed all around. Perry did a fantastic job portraying his inner goodness and discontent.
Despite Good Deeds being Perry’s film, Newton was the star and stole the show with her varied and excellent performance. She was able to believably characterize the frustration and anguish of the many mothers who confront similar hardships, which made the film captivating and powerful.
People of all ages can enjoy Good Deeds, and those who do will leave the theater feeling grateful and inspired.
Aran Kirschenmann, 15, is a contributing writer for the Bellevue Reporter and a sophomore at The International School in Bellevue. You may reach and connect with her on her Facebook page “The Young Critic.”
