Good Deeds

Good Deeds is a 2012 American romantic drama film written, co-produced, directed by and starring Tyler Perry released on February 24, 2012.

For the Christian doctrine of acts of good will, see good works.
Good Deeds
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTyler Perry
Produced byTyler Perry
Paul Hall
Ozzie Areu
Written byTyler Perry
StarringTyler Perry
Thandie Newton
Brian White
Rebecca Romijn
Jamie Kennedy
Phylicia Rashad
Gabrielle Union
Music byAaron Zigman
CinematographyAlexander Gruszynski
Edited byMaysie Hoy
Production
company
Distributed byLionsgate
Release date
  • February 24, 2012 (2012-02-24)
Running time
111 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$14 million[1]
Box office$35.6 million[2]

Plot

The film opens with Wesley Deeds (Tyler Perry), head of the family-owned Deeds Corporation, dressing for work. His fiancée, Natalie (Gabrielle Union), fixes breakfast for him, noting his predictable routine. Before work, Wesley picks up his irritable younger brother, Walter (Brian J. White), who lost his driver's license after a string of DUIs. They have lunch with their mother, the respectable Wilimena Deeds (Phylicia Rashad). After lunch, Wilimena meets Natalie, Natalie's mother, and Natalie's best friend at the bridal shop. The two mothers urge Natalie to think about her future with Wesley.

On the impoverished side of town, Lindsey Wakefield (Thandie Newton), a single mother and cleaner for the Deeds Corporation, finds out she will be evicted if she doesn't pay her bills soon. Lindsey rushes to pick up her check from work and ends up parking in Wesley's reserved spot, leaving her six-year-old daughter, Ariel (Jordenn Thompson), in the car. Wesley and Walter find Ariel. Lindsey returns to find her car towed and argues with the two men. Lindsey takes Ariel to school, while Wesley has a meeting with his coworker and best friend, John (Eddie Cibrian), over acquiring a company Wesley's father has been competing against for years.

After work, Lindsey discovers she has been evicted. Taking her belongings, she picks up Ariel from school and works another shift. Ariel stays in a broom closet during the shift. They then begin to live in their van. Wesley sees them and decides to watch over them until Lindsey's "boyfriend" comes for them. Wesley takes Lindsey and Ariel out for pizza; the trio bonds.

Ariel's teacher finds out Lindsey and Ariel are homeless and threatens to call child services. Wesley struggles to expand the business while watching over Walter and developing a more complex love life with Natalie. One night, Natalie returns drunk after a fashion show and tries to initiate sex with her fiance, but he rejects her. After the child welfare agency takes Ariel, Wesley gives Lindsey a rent-free corporate apartment. Lindsey regains custody of Ariel. When Wesley reveals he has always wanted to ride a motorcycle, Lindsey rents one. The pair ride across the countryside and stops by a pond, where they kiss. Wesley admits he is engaged, and Lindsey leaves.

Deeds Corporation takes over the rival company, but Walter ruins the celebration with his outburst. Lindsey attends the party to talk to Wesley, and Walter forces her to stay. Walter suggests to Wilimena that Wesley and Lindsey are having an affair. Wilimena hints to Lindsey that Wesley would not stay with someone poorer for long. Natalie, Wesley, Walter, Wilimena, and Lindsey become trapped in an elevator after Wesley and Walter fight. Natalie and Wilimena notice Lindsey reaching for Wesley's hand, which was injured in the fight.

Wesley visits Lindsey that night, but she rejects him. Wesley and Natalie realize that, although they love each other, their marriage would not be happy because they are only together for their parents. They announce their split at their engagement party. Wesley also reveals he is quitting and traveling to see his old friends. He hires John as the new CEO of Deeds. Although initially angry, Walter accepts this.

Wesley tells Lindsey he is going to Nigeria and invites Lindsey and Ariel along. Lindsey again rejects him. Wesley boards his plane. As the plane is taking off, he sees Lindsey and Ariel sitting across the aisle. Wesley and Lindsey kiss, while Ariel looks on happily.

Cast

Production

Good Deeds was produced by Perry's 34th Street Films.[3] Principal photography took place in Atlanta from April 25, 2011[3] to June 2011.[4][5] Good Deeds was released through Liongate and Tyler Perry Studios"Good Deeds". on February 24, 2012.[6]

Release

Critical reaction

As of June 2020, the film has received mixed reviews. The film holds a 34% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 35 reviews with an approval rating of 5.06 out of 10. Its consensus states, "Tyler Perry's craftmanship as a director continues to improve, but his stories are still the same ol' hoary, pretentious melodramas."[7] Metacritic reported that the film has an average score of 43 out of 100 based on 15 reviews.[8]

Box office

The film grossed $15,583,924, ranking second on its opening weekend.[9] As of November 2012, the film has grossed a total gross of $35,025,791.[2]

Home media

The DVD was released on June 12, 2012.[10]

Controversy

In November 2012, author Terri Donald sued Perry claiming Good Deeds was based on her book, Bad Apples Can Be Good Fruit, published in 2007. Donald is seeking for $225,000 in initial damages as well as an injunction requiring the company to add a credit for her book in the opening and closing credits, as well as an account of the film's revenue. Donald reportedly sent a copy of her book to Tyler under the pseudonym, TLO Red'ness, before the film went into production.[11]

In August 2013, U.S. District Court Judge William Pauley III dismissed the lawsuit stating that copyright law only protects expression and not ideas, and there was little similarity in the content.[12]

As of October 2015, Terri (Donald) Stickland continues her appeal to the court of public opinion by tweeting her loss while simultaneously promoting her book, Bad Apples Can Be Good Fruit, by citing similarities between her and the leading actress of Good Deeds, however the similarities end when it comes to weight.[13]

Awards and nominations
  • BET Awards
    • Best Movie
  • Golden Raspberry Awards
    • Worst Actor (Tyler Perry) - Nominated
    • Worst Director (Tyler Perry) - Nominated
  • NAACP Image Award
    • Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (Tyler Perry) - Nominated
gollark: There is now a slight salt inferno occuring in suggestions/requests again.
gollark: Only on the same IP address, stupidly enough.
gollark: They formed a pact with the Lagmonster.
gollark: Alternatively, the evil viewbombers.
gollark: That's easy.

See also

References
  1. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Tyler-Perrys-Good-Deeds
  2. "Tyler Perry's Good Deeds (2012)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  3. Fleming, Mike (April 19, 2011). "Rebecca Romijn Joins Tyler Perry's 'Good Deeds'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  4. Labrecque, Jeff (April 5, 2011). "Tyler Perry ready to make 'Good Deeds'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  5. "Tyler Perry Says "Good Deeds" is Done Shooting + Working To Lose Weight For "Alex Cross" Next". indieWire. June 7, 2011. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  6. Stewart, Andrew (May 26, 2011). "Lionsgate has Feb. friend in 'Deeds'". Variety. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  7. "Tyler Perry's Good Deeds". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  8. "Good Deeds Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
  9. "Weekend Box Office Results for February 24-26, 2012". Box Office Mojo. February 27, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  10. "Good Deeds - CompleteSeasonDVDs.com". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  11. "Tyler Perry Lawsuit: U.S. Author, Terri Donald, Sues Filmmaker Over Film Plot". The Huffington Post. 2012-11-27. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
  12. "Tyler Perry, Lionsgate Win 'Good Deeds' Lawsuit". The Hollywood Reporter. 2013-08-23. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
  13. "Author Terri Strickland Still Tweeting About 'Good Deeds' Lawsuit Loss Against Tyler Perry". The Music Times. 2015-10-08. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
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