Diary of a Mad Black Woman is a American romantic-dramedy film written by Tyler Perry, which was inspired by the play of the same name. The movie stars Perry. Directed by Darren Grant, the film was released in the US on February 25, 2005. The sequel, Madea's Family Reunion was released on February 24, 2006, almost exactly one year after the first film.

Plot

Helen McCarter (Kimberly Elise) and Charles McCarter (Steve Harris)www.rottentomatoes.com/m/diary_of_a_mad_black_woman/# had it all: money, success and a fine home. In public they seemed to think their lives were perfect, but it was all far from perfect behind closed doors. Helen is unemployed and her husband strays, having multiple affairs. On their 18th wedding anniversary, Helen wakes up to find all of her belongings packed in a U-Haul truck with Charles kicking her out of the house in the presence of his young mistress - and mother of his two children - Brenda (Lisa Marcos).www.imdb.com/title/tt0422093/fullcredits An emotionally destroyed and penniless Helen turns to her sassy and loud grandmother Madea (Tyler Perry),www.imdb.com/title/tt0422093/fullcredits who takes her in and helps her get back on her feet. Brian (Tyler Perry),www.imdb.com/title/tt0422093/fullcredits Madea's nephew, acts as Madea and Helen's attorney at court after the two women were caught by Charles and Brenda for breaking into the mansion and vandalizing some of his and Brenda's belongings. (Madea rammed her car into the security gate of Charles' home, cut some of the furniture in half with a chainsaw and the two of them were ripping Brenda's clothes). He also acts as Helen's attorney for her in divorce court and during the court session, she decides to let Charles keep all the money and property provided he pays Brian's attorney fees and for her mother's stay in the nursing home (which he forced Helen to put her mother in during their marriage) which Charles happily agrees to.

Due to Madea being a repeat offender, Judge Mablean Ephriam places her under house arrest and set a $5,000 bond for Helen. Brian himself had some marital problems at home with his wife's (Debrah)(Tamara Taylor)www.imdb.com/title/tt0422093/fullcredits drug habits and addiction and kicks her out of the house after the last straw. Helen soon learns to grow through her pain, and is ready to move on from Charles and give love another chance when she meets Orlando (Shemar Moore).www.imdb.com/title/tt0422093/fullcredits Meanwhile, Charles is coerced by Jamison Milton Jackson (Gary Anthony Sturgisto) www.imdb.com/title/tt0422093/fullcredits to be his attorney and possibly bribe the judge in his favor for his upcoming trial for shooting an undercover cop during a drug deal.