A Family that Preys
A crucial idea is developed from the film, “The Family that Preys,” that one cannot thrive by bringing misery to others. William Cartwright and Andrea are the son and daughter of two loving families that have seen a relationship existing for over thirty years. Charlotte Cartwright is the mother to William Cartwright and owns an empire. On the other hand, Alice is a righteous diner owner and mother to Andrea. Charlotte and Alice have been great friends for over thirty years. Moreover, William and Andrea are co-workers in Charlotte’s company. The role of William and Andrea in the film is seen by the way the viewers are compelled to hate them for causing misery to other characters in a bid to live the life they wanted. Tyler Perry’s “The Family that Preys” presents the relationship between family and business with Andrea and William being used in the creation of several themes in the film and other characters.
“The Family that Preys” presents a change in generational preferences. Generally, two generations are introduced in the film. Alice and Charlotte belong to an older generation that loves and gives everything for the betterment of the children. However, William and Andrea represent another generation that lives for what they want despite the harm and misery that happens to the people around them. William and Andrea develop an extramarital affair that brings a significant threat to the relationship that has existed for years between the families.
Moreover, William and Andrea do not seem concerned about the consequences of their extramarital affair despite being married. Unlike the new generation, the old generation is based on care for each other. Alice and Charlotte show a distinct character from that shown by their children. Generally, the older generation lives for what they need and not what they want.
Betrayal forms a significant part of the film, “The Family that Preys.” The old generation in the film lives cautiously to avoid deception, whereas the young generation deliberately builds betrayal without showing concern. For example, the friendship between Alice and Charlotte is based on caring for each other’s needs. Charlotte is a rich businesswoman but does not let his class separate her from her poor friend. Alice replicates his role in the relationship by offering spiritual support to Charlotte. The relationship between Charlotte and Alice is evident during the country trip taken by the two and brings a further difference between the generations in the film.
Moreover, betrayal and careless attempts are evident in the young generation. The pursuance of wants at the expense of needs leads characters into causing harm unknowingly. For example, William and Andrea want to have a happy life together despite being married. The destructive character traits are seen several years before the final extramarital affair. William has an unhealthy relationship with his mother Charlotte, while Andrea hates her family for being poor. William and Alice’s mothers are, however, patient with them, but betrayal seems to take the better part of their children’s lives. William triggers the next stage of betrayal by lusting on Andrea, who was already married. Andrea was moved by the promise to get a job from William in his mother’s company as an accountant. William betrays her loving wife while Andrea loves her loving and caring husband. Unfortunately, William and Andrea are not moved by the knowledge that their relationship would destroy bot their families and their parents’ families.
Religion is given cold treatment in the film, “The Family that Preys,” despite Christianity forming a more significant part of the film. The relationship between Charlotte and Alice reveals the lack of seriousness in devotion in Christianity. Charlotte tempts Alice into drinking alcohol despite knowing her religious devotion. Alice, however, maintains her devotion by taking water instead of beer in the club. Charlotte influence Alice into going into a stripper’s club where Alice represents a humorous position by splashing anointing oil to the stripping men and waving the Bible at them.
Moreover, the reaction of the characters and the audience does not withhold Christian virtues. Andrea’s husband responds to the knowledge that Andrea has been cheating by slapping her hard. On the contrary to expectation, the audience celebrates the reaction of Andrea’s husband, showing that revenge was accepted in society.
In sum, Tyler Perry’s “The Family that Preys” presents the relationship between family and business with Andrea and William being used in the creation of several themes in the film and other characters. Two generations are presented in the film where the older generation lives for what they need and not what they want. Betrayal forms a significant part of the film, while religion receives a cold reception from the characters in the film.
Work Cited
A Family that Preys Together: A Tale of Preying and a Prayer. Dir. Tyler Perry. Perf. Lionsgate. 2008.