Pastor Clarence preaches to Linda's surviving four sons at her eldest son's funeral. He warns the men not to follow in their older brother's footsteps, or they will follow his path to hell. Linda blames her daughter-in-law, Ava, for Clarence's remarks because Ava is Clarence's daughter. She stands up in church and demands Clarence change his message. Clarence refuses. Linda takes off the dress, refuses the church's financial assistance for the burial, and orders her sons to remove the body from the casket. Afterward, Ava's friend, Rona, and Rona's husband, Jim, try to console Ava. However, Ava wants to find her husband, Dallas, and stand by his side during his time of need. Jim informs Ava that Dallas buried his brother at his mother's home.
Ava arrives at Linda's home and receives an icy welcome. Linda admonishes Ava for Clarence's sermon while Dallas's brother, Morris, alerts Ava to Dallas's location. Ava sits in Dallas's truck and attempts to comfort him, but he forces her to leave. Dallas and his brothers go to a bar, drink, fight, and play pool. Ava finds Dallas and tells him to go with her because he has work in the morning. When Dallas says no, Morris calmly says to wait outside while he brings Dallas out. Ava waits in the parking lot and runs into her old crush, Benji. They converse until Dallas sees them together. He warns Benji to leave, or they will beat Benji worse than the last time. Dallas stumbles to the driver's side, and Ava begs Dallas to let her drive. Morris fights Dallas to stop him, and the bar owner breaks it up. Ava drives Dallas home.
Ava comes home after working at a bank and finds Dallas drinking at the counter. He reminds Ava that they have dinner plans with Rona and Jim, and he wants to leave now. Ava asks for 45 minutes to get dressed because the reservations are at 7 o'clock. She comes downstairs after 40 minutes and finds Dallas gone. When Dallas arrives without Ava, Rona calls to check on Ava. Dallas demeans Ava when she arrives and screams he wants a divorce. He will let her have the house, won't pay alimony, and they don't have kids. So, Dallas figures it will be easy. He exits, and Ava cries. Rona drives Ava home and gives Ava a letter about Dallas's wrongdoings over the years. Ava promises she is okay as Rona leaves with Jim. Ava drives to her parents' home.
After a week, Ava gains new determination and reconnects with Benji. She returns home and restarts her life. Morris sends Dallas an image of Ava and Benji at a carnival. Morris asks if Dallas is going through with the divorce because the picture proves Ava isn't faithful. Dallas confirms the divorce will happen. Dallas storms into Ava's workplace and rages about her relationship with Benji. Confused, Ava tells Dallas that she never cheated and the meeting with Benji was innocent. Dallas orders Ava to meet with his attorney in the morning and sign the papers. After Dallas leaves, Rona spitefully tells Ava to hire a lawyer and take everything Dallas has. Ava says no because Dallas doesn't have much. Also, hiring a lawyer will cost her money. She doesn't want to be in the red after the divorce. She wants to divorce in the black.
Rona, Jim, and Dallas sit in a conference room with Dallas's lawyer. Ava enters in a sexy dress and wants to know where to sign. The lawyer requests Ava get representation, but Ava refuses. She went through the paperwork and deemed it fair. She only wants the pen and signature instructions. Then, Ava signs and leaves with Rona. Ava is ready to start a new chapter in her life. Then, Dallas fumes because she didn't fight. He thinks Ava is disrespectful and an adulterer. He wants to give her a second chance to prove she can be a wife or kill trying.
This latest installment in the Tyler Perry library brings a better story to his formulated plots (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). It uses modern scenarios to freshen the storyline and increase the intensity. Ava is a pastor's daughter who doesn't want to disappoint her parents. So, she stayed in an unhealthy relationship and ignored the warning signs. As she talks to Dallas about prom night, she tells the tale cutely and lovingly. However, outsiders will hear the blaring red flags. And Ava's parents show Ava the emotional and physical breakdown they witnessed over the years. Also, you will see Dallas's quick mental decline and why it happens. He didn't become ill-mannered, but Linda raised him to be that way. The script doesn't place everything on Linda because Dallas doesn't want help. This script follows that path through many women getting divorced in their late 30s/early 40s. Ava questions her appeal and thinks she gives Dallas her best years. She doesn't believe any man will want her. This belief holds tightly in many cultures and keeps people tethered to unhealthy relationships. This movie has the believable ingredient missing from Tyler's latest projects. And the opening and final scenes will leave your jaw on the floor.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Yeah. I can see the finish line - Ava
You did this - Linda
You watch your mouth in this church - Gene
I set a standard - Clarence
Supporting you doesn't mean lying to you - Rona
She told me to do it - Dallas
Just smile and nod - Jim
Oh shoot, where's the wolf - Benji
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