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Madea Goes to Jail

Madea Goes to Jail

Comedy · Crime · Drama · 2009

After a high-speed car chase, Madea winds up behind bars because her quick temper gets the best of her. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Josh Hardaway lands a case that's too personal to handle: that of a young prostitute and former drug addict named Candace, also a childhood friend. When Candace winds up in jail, Madea takes the young woman under her protective wing.

Movie details

Madea Goes to Jail

“Something big is coming to the big house.”

2009 Comedy · Crime · Drama 1h 42m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.5 / 10

Community rating

After a high-speed car chase, Madea winds up behind bars because her quick temper gets the best of her. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Josh Hardaway lands a case that's too personal to handle: that of a young prostitute and former drug addict named Candace, also a childhood friend. When Candace winds up in jail, Madea takes the young woman under her protective wing.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Madea Goes to Jail?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Tyler Perry

Written by

Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry

Madea / Joe / Brian

Derek Luke

Derek Luke

Joshua Hardaway

Keshia Knight Pulliam

Keshia Knight Pulliam

Candace "Candy" Washington

Ion Overman

Ion Overman

Linda Davis

Sofía Vergara

Sofía Vergara

T.T.

Vanessa Ferlito

Vanessa Ferlito

Donna

Viola Davis

Viola Davis

Ellen

Court is in session

Put Madea Goes to Jail on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.