Based on the play by Tyler Perry, the movie deals with the story of a wife of 18 years dumped by her husband and forced to begin a new life.

Flamboyant, Atlanta attorney, Charles McCarther (Steve Harris) and his wife of 18 years Helen (Kimberly Elise) seems to have a happy married life. But Charles cheats on her and he has fathered a couple of kids with a younger woman Brenda (Lisa Marcos), his long time mistress. He decided to divorce Helen and kick her out of the house and bring in Brenda and kids. As there was no pre-nuptial agreement, he didn't give a dime to Helen. 

Helen moved in with her generous and kind hearted grandmother Madea (Tyler Perry). With no money, no prospects and no real talents, it was really hard for Helen to start all over again. But she has the will to survive. She gets a job as a waitress and begins to stand on her own legs and finds a new boyfriend Orlando (Shemar Moore). She occasionally visited her mother (Cecily Tyson) and kept herself busy and reconstructed her life to a new level. At first she didn't like or trust Orlando, but eventually she give in and accept his love. At this stage a few bad things happen in the life of Charles. 

Madea had taught Helen about rage, revenge and how to be a mad black woman. As expected, Charles came back to her life, asking for forgiveness and mercy and he desperately needed her. Now, Helen has to decide what she wants and what is truly best for her life. It won't be too hard to make a guess what Helen will do.

First time director Darren Grant make an attempt to make a good movie out of a silly theme. He seems clueless on how to proceed with the storyline. Movie has too many subplots and seesaws between comedy and melodrama. He has thrown in romance, revenge as well as spirituality into the film and has made a kind of "masala" out of it. No way it is intelligent or thoughtful, capable of attracting the attention of the audience. It could be attacked for being a racist or sexist movie.

Darren Grant even fails to develop the full potential of the characters emotions and talents. Elise and Moore are charming performers, but as a pair they lack chemistry. Perry as Madea provides comic relief. He could be commended for his good intention of bringing up a theme related to everyday African American family. But the character he plays as Helens uncle was totally unnecessary. Movie could be looked as a story of a female self discovery. It doesn't have much value as a tale of failed marriage or a real heartfelt drama of a poor black woman. Overall a silly movie that could be very well be one of the worst movies of the year 2005.

We rate this movie BELOW AVERAGE.