Elba scored his first film lead (though not first billing--that goes to leading lady Gabrielle Union) in a bit of an unlikely project, that from writer-director Tyler Perry, whose works are as critically reviled as Elba's performances are generally hailed. While this film did not exactly reverse Perry's critical reputation, few could take issue with how Elba completely takes advantage of his first opportunity in the big screen starring spotlight. It's an especially canny career move, once again taking on a role as un-Stringer like as one can get in upstanding, salt-of-the-earth single dad Monty James, and in doing so he not only further proves his versatile chops as an actor but, perhaps more importantly in Hollywood terms, the undeniable star quality--which more than shines through whether hitting the notes of protective, loving father or in playful rom-com love-hate sparring with lawyer Union. Drama, comedy, romance, and while playing a positive paragon of fatherhood to boot, Elba lifts a fairly standard Perry gospel play formula script into something if not exactly weightier than usual, then at the very least a lot more memorable.
