Meet the Browns (film)

Meet the Browns is a 2008 American romantic comedy-drama film released by Lionsgate on March 21, 2008. The film was based on the play of the same name by Tyler Perry.

Plot
In Chicago, Brenda Brown-Davis (Angela Bassett) is a struggling single mother of three Mike Jr. (Lance Gross), Lena (Mariana Tolbert), and Tosha (Chloe Bailey). One day she receives a letter stating that her father, whom she has never met, has died. On the same day, the plant where she and her friend Cheryl (Sofia Vergara) work closes so she loses her job which adds to her existing financial difficulties. As they discuss how they will get by, Brenda is approached by Miss Mildred (Irma P. Hall), the woman who watches Brenda's youngest child in her home daycare center. Miss Mildred is upset that Brenda has not been paying for daycare and states that she will no longer watch Lena.

Later, they all go to Mike Jr's school basketball game where he is a star. A scout, Harry (Rick Fox), takes notice of Mike Jr and comes to his house to speak to him about his future and ends up asking Brenda out. Brenda has no interest in hearing about the possibility of going pro and walks away. She takes her daughter to Miss Mildred and begs for her to watch the girl so she can go get money from her ex and pay the woman back. Miss Mildred relents and Brenda and Sheryl go to the construction site where Mike Sr. works. It is revealed that Brenda has never received any assistance from her ex and he again refuses to provide any financial support.

Brenda decides to take her children to Georgia to attend her father's funeral. She is met by his other children who were unaware of her existence. As she gets to know her newfound relatives, she is surprised to run into Harry but learns that he lives in the same town and is on good terms with her father's family. At dinner, it is revealed that the eldest son of "Pop" Brown, LB (Frankie Faison), was the only one who knew about Brenda. On his deathbed, their father confessed to LB that he had been a pimp in Chicago and that Brenda's mother, his mother, and a number of other friends of their father's that they had known were all his working girls. The family now recognize Brenda as one of their own and offer their support and encouragement. After the funeral, it is revealed that Pop Brown left a house to Brenda in his will, but Brenda decides not to move into the house, despite Harry’s suggestion that she should stay.

Brenda and her children return to Chicago. Mike Sr. arrives at Brenda’s home and offers his assistance in exchange for a one night stand. After Brenda rejects him, Mike Jr. overhears Mike Sr. insulting her and storms out. In an attempt to make money to help his mother's situation, he turns to his friend Calvin (Kristopher Lofton) who is a drug dealer. Harry sees Mike Jr selling drugs and counsels him. While Harry and Brenda go on a date, Mike Jr tells his friend that he no longer wants to take part in illegal activities and he is shot. This leads to a further breakdown in the relationship between Brenda and her ex.

Harry reaches out to the Browns to ask for help in getting her father's old place for her and her kids. They renovate the home and surprise Brenda. While sitting with Cora (Tamela Mann) Brenda’s niece and LB’s wife Sarah (Margaret Avery), Vera (Jenifer Lewis) Brenda’s half sister suggests that Harry is only dating Brenda to get his “perks” from helping Mike Jr. Brenda overhears the conversation, and later confronts Harry about what she heard. After Harry asserts that he truly means well, Brenda breaks up with him.

A league representative comes to visit Brenda and Mike Jr and offers him a million dollar contract. She finds out that it was Harry who referred Mike Jr to the league. On signing day, Mike Sr. shows up to be photographed with his ex and son but Mike Jr announces to the press that he doesn't know his father and that his mother had raised him without support. Upon leaving, he tells his mother that Harry is a good man and more of a father figure than his actual father had been. Brenda goes to see Harry and they reconcile, ultimately leading to marriage.

Cast

 * Angela Bassett as Brenda Brown
 * Rick Fox as Harry Belton
 * Lance Gross as Michael Rhodes Jr.
 * David Mann as Mr. Brown
 * Sofía Vergara as Cheryl Barranquilla
 * Margaret Avery as Sarah Brown
 * Frankie Faison as Larry "L.B." Brown
 * Tamela Mann as Cora Simmons
 * Phillip Van Lear as Michael Rhodes Sr.
 * Kristopher Lofton as Calvin
 * Mariana Tolbert as Lena Rhodes
 * Chloe Bailey as Tosha Brown
 * Jenifer Lewis as Vera Brown
 * Brandon Richardson as Officer Thompson
 * Irma P. Hall as Miss Mildred
 * Lamman Rucker as Will Brown
 * LaVan Davis as Henrys
 * Tyler Perry as Mabel "Madea" Simmons, and Uncle Joe Simmons (cameo)

Differences from the stageplay

 * The film's plot mainly comes from another Tyler Perry production called What's Done In The Dark. That particular play has a subplot where a single parent trying to raise a teenage son who gets involved in drug dealing in order to help his mother get out of financial ruin. That plot element is used heavily in Meet the Browns.
 * The Browns are only a part of one of the film's subplots instead of being the central focus like the stageplay and TV series.
 * Mr. Brown is not the protagonist or focal character of this film. He is one of the supporting characters along with the other Brown family members. He is primarily used for comic relief. He later becomes the central character again in the TV series.
 * The characters Kim, Milay and Gerald do not appear in the film. Nor do they exist. Kim is later replaced by a new character named Sasha in the TV series.
 * In the stageplay, Will is married to Kim with children, and has cheated on Kim. Though in the film, none of that has happened because Kim is absent from this film and it appears that he is not married. However, in the TV series, Will has a wife named Sasha.

Production
Meet the Browns completed filming on October 26, 2007 after beginning on July 12 the same year.

Stageplay
The film is based on the play of the same name. The film altered almost all the plot details found in the play.

Television series
Meet the Browns aired on TBS starring David Mann and Tamela Mann. The show's plot is different from the play and movie. Mr. Brown has opened up a senior citizens' home with the help of Cora, his nephew Will and his wife Sasha. Storylines involve the various zany residents of the home. The series, however, is a spin-off of the film, the stageplay and three episodes of Tyler Perry's House of Payne where Mann guest-starred as Mr. Brown, who learns that his deceased father states in his will that he wants him to open a senior citizens' home. Brown enlists the help of the Paynes, Cora, and Will. The other characters from the play and film are neither mentioned nor seen. However, Brown's sister Vera made a guest appearance in the third season of the series.

Differences from the film

 * Most of the Brown family members in this film do not appear in the series.
 * In the film, Will has a minor role as Vera's son. In the series, he is one of the main characters.

Critical reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics. As of February 17, 2015, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 33% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 57 reviews. Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 45 out of 100, based on 14 reviews.

Box office
In its opening weekend, the film grossed an estimated $20 million in 2,006 theaters in the United States and Canada, ranking #2 at the box office behind Horton Hears a Who!. Although the film ranked second at the box office, it ranked first in average gross per theater, grossing $9,977 per theater compared to Horton's $6,336 per theater. When the film ended its run at the box office, it had grossed $41,975,388 over its $20 million budget, making the film a success.

Soundtrack
The soundtrack was released by Atlantic Records on March 18, 2008.

Track list

 * 1) People Everyday (Metamorphosis Mix) – Musiq Soulchild feat. Estelle
 * 2) Face To Face – Coko & Case
 * 3) Sweeter – Gerald Levert
 * 4) Dig This – Brandy
 * 5) I'll Take You There – Kelly Price
 * 6) Love Again – Kelly Rowland
 * 7) This Gift – Deborah Cox
 * 8) Angel – Chaka Khan
 * 9) Alright – Ledisi
 * 10) Unify – Wynter Gordon
 * 11) My Love – Jill Scott
 * 12) Hallelujah – Tamela Mann

Blu-ray / DVD release
Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns was sold in 1-disc and 2-disc DVD and Blu-ray on July 1, 2008. DVD sales have so far gathered $17,810,803 in revenue.