Diary Of A Mad Black Woman

Director: Darren Grant

Screenplay: Tyler Perry; adapted from the stage play of the same name

Perry's first film is a classic tale of a woman scorned, with a notable twist. Helen McCarter (Kimberly Elise) is the wronged wife, summarily dumped by her attorney husband Charles (Steve Harris) after 18 years of marriage. Literally booted out of her Atlanta mansion, Helen goes to live with her grandmother Madea (Tyler Perry), and begins the difficult process of rebuilding her life. Just as Helen has achieved a new sense of self-confidence through steady employment and new romance, Charles suddenly reappears in her life, in dire need of her help. For Helen, it is a chance for revenge -- but also a chance for redemption through forgiveness.

DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN opened nationwide on Friday, February 25, 2005. The film stunned industry observers with its powerful #1 debut and a weekend take of $21.9 million. It remained in the Top 10 for 4 weeks and earned over $50 million in domestic box office -- nearly ten times the film's $5.5 million budget. DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN was one of the most celebrated African-American films of the year, winning five 2005 BET Comedy Awards, including Outstanding Theatrical Film, Outstanding Directing (Darren Grant), Outstanding Lead Actor (Perry), Outstanding Lead Actress (Elise), and Outstanding Writing for a Theatrical Film (Perry). At the 2005 Black Movie Awards, Perry was honored for Outstanding Achievement in Writing and Kimberly Elise took home the prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role; Elise was similarly honored at the 2006 Image Awards, where Cicely Tyson received the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN was released on DVD/home video on June 28, 2005; it debuted at #1 on the home entertainment charts and sold nearly 2.5 million copies in its first week alone. DVD sales to date are 5.8 million.**

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