Daddy's Little Girl
Encyclopedia
Daddy's Little Girls is a 2007 romantic
drama film
written and directed by Tyler Perry
and produced by Perry and Reuben Cannon. It stars Gabrielle Union
and Idris Elba
. The film was released on February 14, 2007 by Lions Gate Entertainment
. This is one of only two films directed by Perry that he does not appear in (the other being For Colored Girls), as well as the first of Perry's films to not be based on any of the filmmaker's stage plays.
) is a respected and hard-working mechanic who has three daughters: China (China Anne McClain), Lauryn (Lauryn Alisa McClain
), and Sierra (Sierra Aylina McClain). He has dreams of owning his own shop someday. Monty's children have been cared for by their maternal grandmother for many years. However, he realizes she is dying from lung cancer and she dies within a few weeks. His ex, Jennifer (Tasha Smith
), disrupts the tranquility of the service and demands that her daughters live with her. Jennifer later tells Monty that she is suing for custody. Strapped for cash and hoping to make his dream reality, Monty accepts help from Maya (Malinda Williams), an employment agency worker. Maya recommends Monty as a driver for Julia Rossmore (Gabrielle Union
), an attorney in Atlanta.
Julia’s friends, Brenda (Terri J. Vaughn
) and Cynthia (Tracee Ellis Ross
), set Julia up on a blind date with Byron (Craig Robinson), who is very loud and obnoxious. When Monty and Julia meet, she is uptight, pushy, and insists on having everything done on schedule. Monty also finds out his eldest daughter accidentally started a fire in his home. Social Services were notified and the children were sent to live with their mother and her boyfriend, Joe (Gary Sturgis
). Julia, sitting in the car, goes into the hospital to demand Monty take her home, but sees Social Services sending his children to live with Jennifer. Monty returns to his day job as a mechanic and finds the owner Willie (Louis Gossett Jr.) has been injured in a robbery attempt. Willie offers to sell the shop to Monty for a $10,000 deposit. Monty later goes to Julia for help, but she refuses, leaving Monty to defend himself. However, during the court case, Julia walks in and defends him.
The next evening, Monty goes to see Julia, who is astonished to see that Monty has provided for his daughters their entire lives. Julia finishes Monty’s case preparation and Monty walks Julia out of the office to her car. Monty discovers it is her 32nd birthday and takes her to his favorite jazz club. Eventually, Julia dances with Monty. As they are traveling home, Julia kisses Monty and asks him to spend the night. Monty is willing but Julia is too drunk and vomits. Julia changes her mind and tells Monty to go home. Over the next few weeks, Julia begins to feel confused. Monty is a decent guy, but she is a successful woman trying to find a successful man. She goes to see Monty and his daughters. There, one of Julia’s girlfriends confronts her – reminding Julia that she has to be conscious of decisions which impact her career. Monty overhears Julia’s friend and is hurt.
The child custody hearing date arrives. Julia arrives and asks the judge to award custody to Monty since it would be in the best interest of the children. Jennifer’s lawyer says that Monty is irresponsible due to an earlier conviction of statutory rape. Julia feels betrayed because she didn’t hear this information from Monty earlier. Consequently, she leaves the courtroom and refuses to see Monty again. Julia tells Monty that custody will be awarded to Jennifer. Monty returns home distraught. Early one morning, he hears a knock on his door. His daughters have come to tell him that they were physically abused. All of the neighbors know Joe is a thug but they have been intimidated so they will not testify against him for drug activities. Monty hugs all of his daughters and puts them to bed. Monty gets in his car to drive and coincidentally, Jennifer and Joe are in their car on an intersecting road. After Monty's Chevy Monte Carlo crashes into Jennifer and Joe's Chrysler 300C
, Monty goes over to their car and begins to beat Joe senseless. Meanwhile, the neighbors arrive at the intersection to see what is happening. When Joe’s thugs attack Monty, the neighbors hold them back. The car collision and aftermath make the local news. Monty is identified as "the high-school basketball star who was falsely accused of rape" and Julia realizes she misjudged him.
Monty, Joe, Jennifer, and all of the neighbors are in court. Joe and Jennifer are on trial because the police arrived at the scene and found a large stash of drugs in the trunk of Joe’s car and in his compound. When the judge states they won't face trial because there are no witnesses, the entire neighborhood stands up in court, causing them to go to jail. Monty stands before the judge next. Again, Julia arrives just in time. Julia asks for a moment with her client. She apologizes to Monty for not hearing his side of the story. Julia asks if Monty will accept her help and Monty agrees, as long as he can get the custody of his children. Julia defends Monty in court for battery charges. The judge asks for witnesses and none of the neighbors recall seeing Monty hit Joe. Monty is released from police custody. Monty and Julia return to the auto shop and are met by the entire neighborhood to celebrate. They find that the auto shop no longer belongs to Willie, but is now named "MONTY’S."
2007 behind Ghost Rider
, Bridge to Terabithia, Norbit
s second weekend, and Music and Lyrics
, and has grossed $31,609,243 worldwide, making it Tyler Perry's lowest-grossing film.
and a "Thumbs Down" from Ebert
& Roeper
.
released Music from the motion picture: Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls, in stores and online on January 16, 2007. Among the highlights of the album is "Family First," the first-ever recording by the Houston Family -- Whitney Houston
, Dionne Warwick
, and Cissy Houston
. The song "Cant let You Go" by Anthony Hamilton is not on the soundtrack. Also, The song "Beautiful" by Meshell Ndegeocello is featured in the movie.
Romance film
Romance films are love stories that focus on passion, emotion, and the affectionate involvement of the main characters and the journey that their love takes through courtship or marriage. Romance films make the love story or the search for love the main plot focus...
drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
written and directed by Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is an American actor, director, playwright, entrepreneur, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman...
and produced by Perry and Reuben Cannon. It stars Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Monique Union is an American actress and former model. Among her notable roles is as the cheerleader opposite Kirsten Dunst in the film Bring it On. Union starred opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the blockbuster film Bad Boys II and played a medical doctor in the CBS drama...
and Idris Elba
Idris Elba
Idrissa Akuna "Idris" Elba is a British television, theatre, and film actor. He has starred in both British and American productions. Elba grew up in Canning Town, East London. One of his first acting roles was in the soap opera Family Affairs. He has worked in a variety of TV roles including ...
. The film was released on February 14, 2007 by Lions Gate Entertainment
Lions Gate Entertainment
Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation is a North American entertainment company. The company was formed in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1997, and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California...
. This is one of only two films directed by Perry that he does not appear in (the other being For Colored Girls), as well as the first of Perry's films to not be based on any of the filmmaker's stage plays.
Plot
Monty James (Idris ElbaIdris Elba
Idrissa Akuna "Idris" Elba is a British television, theatre, and film actor. He has starred in both British and American productions. Elba grew up in Canning Town, East London. One of his first acting roles was in the soap opera Family Affairs. He has worked in a variety of TV roles including ...
) is a respected and hard-working mechanic who has three daughters: China (China Anne McClain), Lauryn (Lauryn Alisa McClain
Lauryn Alisa McClain
Lauryn Alisa McClain is an American actress, singer, and model.McClain has appeared in several films such as The Gospel , Daddy's Little Girls , and was the lead character in Six Blocks Wide portraying "Faye".McClain is also the theme music composer of Disney Channel's A.N.T...
), and Sierra (Sierra Aylina McClain). He has dreams of owning his own shop someday. Monty's children have been cared for by their maternal grandmother for many years. However, he realizes she is dying from lung cancer and she dies within a few weeks. His ex, Jennifer (Tasha Smith
Tasha Smith
Tasha Smith is an American actress. She has appeared in numerous movies and plays.-Career:Smith is known for her role in Daddy's Little Girls, a Tyler Perry-directed movie, where she played the villain Jennifer...
), disrupts the tranquility of the service and demands that her daughters live with her. Jennifer later tells Monty that she is suing for custody. Strapped for cash and hoping to make his dream reality, Monty accepts help from Maya (Malinda Williams), an employment agency worker. Maya recommends Monty as a driver for Julia Rossmore (Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Monique Union is an American actress and former model. Among her notable roles is as the cheerleader opposite Kirsten Dunst in the film Bring it On. Union starred opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the blockbuster film Bad Boys II and played a medical doctor in the CBS drama...
), an attorney in Atlanta.
Julia’s friends, Brenda (Terri J. Vaughn
Terri J. Vaughn
Terri J. Vaughn is an American film and television actress. She is best known for her role as high school secretary Lovita Alizé Jenkins-Robinson on the WB sitcom The Steve Harvey Show. Vaughn also portrayed first-grade teacher Jonelle Abrahams on the UPN/CW sitcom All of Us...
) and Cynthia (Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross is an American actress. She is best known for her lead role as Joan Clayton on the UPN/CW series, Girlfriends. She is currently starring as Dr...
), set Julia up on a blind date with Byron (Craig Robinson), who is very loud and obnoxious. When Monty and Julia meet, she is uptight, pushy, and insists on having everything done on schedule. Monty also finds out his eldest daughter accidentally started a fire in his home. Social Services were notified and the children were sent to live with their mother and her boyfriend, Joe (Gary Sturgis
Gary Sturgis
Gary Anthony Sturgis is as an American actor known for providing the voice of Ebon in the television series Static Shock...
). Julia, sitting in the car, goes into the hospital to demand Monty take her home, but sees Social Services sending his children to live with Jennifer. Monty returns to his day job as a mechanic and finds the owner Willie (Louis Gossett Jr.) has been injured in a robbery attempt. Willie offers to sell the shop to Monty for a $10,000 deposit. Monty later goes to Julia for help, but she refuses, leaving Monty to defend himself. However, during the court case, Julia walks in and defends him.
The next evening, Monty goes to see Julia, who is astonished to see that Monty has provided for his daughters their entire lives. Julia finishes Monty’s case preparation and Monty walks Julia out of the office to her car. Monty discovers it is her 32nd birthday and takes her to his favorite jazz club. Eventually, Julia dances with Monty. As they are traveling home, Julia kisses Monty and asks him to spend the night. Monty is willing but Julia is too drunk and vomits. Julia changes her mind and tells Monty to go home. Over the next few weeks, Julia begins to feel confused. Monty is a decent guy, but she is a successful woman trying to find a successful man. She goes to see Monty and his daughters. There, one of Julia’s girlfriends confronts her – reminding Julia that she has to be conscious of decisions which impact her career. Monty overhears Julia’s friend and is hurt.
The child custody hearing date arrives. Julia arrives and asks the judge to award custody to Monty since it would be in the best interest of the children. Jennifer’s lawyer says that Monty is irresponsible due to an earlier conviction of statutory rape. Julia feels betrayed because she didn’t hear this information from Monty earlier. Consequently, she leaves the courtroom and refuses to see Monty again. Julia tells Monty that custody will be awarded to Jennifer. Monty returns home distraught. Early one morning, he hears a knock on his door. His daughters have come to tell him that they were physically abused. All of the neighbors know Joe is a thug but they have been intimidated so they will not testify against him for drug activities. Monty hugs all of his daughters and puts them to bed. Monty gets in his car to drive and coincidentally, Jennifer and Joe are in their car on an intersecting road. After Monty's Chevy Monte Carlo crashes into Jennifer and Joe's Chrysler 300C
Chrysler 300C
The Chrysler Corporation has used the designation Chrysler 300C to refer to two different vehicles, which are described in separate articles.* The 1957 Chrysler 300C, that year's version of the Chrysler 300 "letter series"; a large, high-performance luxury coupe sold in very limited numbers.* The...
, Monty goes over to their car and begins to beat Joe senseless. Meanwhile, the neighbors arrive at the intersection to see what is happening. When Joe’s thugs attack Monty, the neighbors hold them back. The car collision and aftermath make the local news. Monty is identified as "the high-school basketball star who was falsely accused of rape" and Julia realizes she misjudged him.
Monty, Joe, Jennifer, and all of the neighbors are in court. Joe and Jennifer are on trial because the police arrived at the scene and found a large stash of drugs in the trunk of Joe’s car and in his compound. When the judge states they won't face trial because there are no witnesses, the entire neighborhood stands up in court, causing them to go to jail. Monty stands before the judge next. Again, Julia arrives just in time. Julia asks for a moment with her client. She apologizes to Monty for not hearing his side of the story. Julia asks if Monty will accept her help and Monty agrees, as long as he can get the custody of his children. Julia defends Monty in court for battery charges. The judge asks for witnesses and none of the neighbors recall seeing Monty hit Joe. Monty is released from police custody. Monty and Julia return to the auto shop and are met by the entire neighborhood to celebrate. They find that the auto shop no longer belongs to Willie, but is now named "MONTY’S."
Cast
- Gabrielle UnionGabrielle UnionGabrielle Monique Union is an American actress and former model. Among her notable roles is as the cheerleader opposite Kirsten Dunst in the film Bring it On. Union starred opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the blockbuster film Bad Boys II and played a medical doctor in the CBS drama...
as Julia Rossmore - Idris ElbaIdris ElbaIdrissa Akuna "Idris" Elba is a British television, theatre, and film actor. He has starred in both British and American productions. Elba grew up in Canning Town, East London. One of his first acting roles was in the soap opera Family Affairs. He has worked in a variety of TV roles including ...
as Monty James - Louis Gossett, Jr.Louis Gossett, Jr.Louis Cameron Gossett, Jr. is an American actor best known for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman and Fiddler in the 1970s television miniseries Roots...
as Willie - Tasha SmithTasha SmithTasha Smith is an American actress. She has appeared in numerous movies and plays.-Career:Smith is known for her role in Daddy's Little Girls, a Tyler Perry-directed movie, where she played the villain Jennifer...
as Jennifer - Gary SturgisGary SturgisGary Anthony Sturgis is as an American actor known for providing the voice of Ebon in the television series Static Shock...
as Joe - Terri J. VaughnTerri J. VaughnTerri J. Vaughn is an American film and television actress. She is best known for her role as high school secretary Lovita Alizé Jenkins-Robinson on the WB sitcom The Steve Harvey Show. Vaughn also portrayed first-grade teacher Jonelle Abrahams on the UPN/CW sitcom All of Us...
as Brenda - Malinda Williams as Maya
- Tracee Ellis RossTracee Ellis RossTracee Ellis Ross is an American actress. She is best known for her lead role as Joan Clayton on the UPN/CW series, Girlfriends. She is currently starring as Dr...
as Cynthia - Cassi DavisCassi DavisCassandra "Cassi" Davis is an American actress. She is mostly known for her role as Ella Payne in Tyler Perry's House of Payne. Davis has done extensive work with director and writer Tyler Perry, and has played many roles in his various productions...
as Rita - LaVan DavisLaVan DavisLaVan Davis is an American singer and actor best known for his starring role as Curtis Payne on the TBS comedy-drama Tyler Perry's House of Payne. Davis has also played many roles in Tyler Perry's various productions.-Career:...
as Lester - China Anne McClain as China James
- Lauryn Alisa McClainLauryn Alisa McClainLauryn Alisa McClain is an American actress, singer, and model.McClain has appeared in several films such as The Gospel , Daddy's Little Girls , and was the lead character in Six Blocks Wide portraying "Faye".McClain is also the theme music composer of Disney Channel's A.N.T...
as Lauryn James - Sierra Aylina McClain as Sierra James
- Timon Kyle Durrett as Ronald Johnson
- Brian J. WhiteBrian J. WhiteBrian Joseph White is an American actor, dancer, football player, lacrosse player, stock broker and youth activist.-Personal life:...
(uncredited) as Christopher - Craig RobinsonCraig RobinsonCraig Phillip Robinson is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He is best known for his roles on The Office as Darryl Philbin and in the films Pineapple Express, Zack and Miri Make a Porno and Hot Tub Time Machine....
(cameoCameo appearanceA cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
) as Byron
Box office
The film opened at #5 on Valentine's DayValentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
2007 behind Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider (film)
Ghost Rider is a 2007 superhero film written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Based on the character of the same name which appeared in Marvel Comics, the film stars Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze, a stunt motorcyclist who sells his soul to the Devil and transforms into thevigilante Ghost...
, Bridge to Terabithia, Norbit
Norbit
Norbit is a 2007 American comedy film directed by Brian Robbins and starring Eddie Murphy and Thandie Newton. Produced by Davis Entertainment and Tollin/Robbins Productions, the film also stars Terry Crews, Clifton Powell, Lester "Rasta" Speight, Eddie Griffin, Katt Williams, Marlon Wayans, and...
s second weekend, and Music and Lyrics
Music and Lyrics
Music and Lyrics is a 2007 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Marc Lawrence. It focuses on the relationship that evolves between a former pop music idol and an aspiring writer as they struggle to compose a song for the reigning pop diva.-Plot:Alex Fletcher enjoyed...
, and has grossed $31,609,243 worldwide, making it Tyler Perry's lowest-grossing film.
Critical reaction
The film received generally negative reviews from critics, earning a 25% rating on Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
and a "Thumbs Down" from Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
& Roeper
Richard Roeper
Richard E. Roeper is an American columnist and film critic for The Chicago Sun-Times and now a co-host on The Roe Conn Show on WLS-AM...
.
Soundtrack
Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
released Music from the motion picture: Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls, in stores and online on January 16, 2007. Among the highlights of the album is "Family First," the first-ever recording by the Houston Family -- Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
, and Cissy Houston
Cissy Houston
Emily "Cissy" Houston is a Grammy Award–winning American soul and gospel singer. She led a very successful career as a backup singer for such artists as Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Wishbone Ash and Aretha Franklin, and is now primarily a solo artist...
. The song "Cant let You Go" by Anthony Hamilton is not on the soundtrack. Also, The song "Beautiful" by Meshell Ndegeocello is featured in the movie.
- Anthony HamiltonAnthony Hamilton (musician)Anthony Hamilton is an American R&B, and soul singer-songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame with his platinum-selling second studio album Comin' from Where I'm From , which featured the singles "Comin' from Where I'm From" and "Charlene."-Life and career:Hamilton was born in Charlotte,...
, JaheimJaheimJaheim Hoagland is an American R&B singer and formerly a rapper performing under the mononymous name of Jaheim. He was signed by Naughty by Nature's Kaygee to Divine Mill Records in 2000, and released his debut album Ghetto Love in 2001. His second effort, Still Ghetto, was released a year later,...
& Musiq Soulchild - "Struggle No More (The Main Event)Struggle No More (The Main Event)"Struggle No More " is a collaborative soundtrack single by Anthony Hamilton, Jaheim, and Musiq Soulchild. Led exclusively by airplay, it entered the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number fifty-seven the week of March 3, 2007, subsequently reaching number thirty-two.-Charts:...
" - R. KellyR. KellyRobert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
- "Don't Let Go" - Tamika ScottXscape (band)Xscape, was a female American R&B group that originally started out as a quintet and then became a quartet. The group had a string of hit songs during the 1990s...
- "Greatest Gift" - Adrian Hood - "Brown Eyed Blues"
- Whitney HoustonWhitney HoustonWhitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, Cissy HoustonCissy HoustonEmily "Cissy" Houston is a Grammy Award–winning American soul and gospel singer. She led a very successful career as a backup singer for such artists as Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Wishbone Ash and Aretha Franklin, and is now primarily a solo artist...
, Dionne WarwickDionne WarwickDionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
and Family - "Family First" - Yolanda AdamsYolanda AdamsYolanda Adams is an American Grammy- and Dove-award-winning Yolanda Adams is an American [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]]- and [[Dove Awards|Dove]]-award-winning...
- "Step Aside" - Brian McKnightBrian McKnightBrian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
- "I Believe" - Beyoncé KnowlesBeyoncé KnowlesBeyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
- "DaddyDaddy (Beyoncé Knowles song)"Daddy" is a song recorded by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles for her debut studio album, Dangerously in Love . It was composed by Knowles as well as Mark Batson. The song was not originally intended to be featured on the final track listing of the album. Knowles was able to record the...
" - Anthony HamiltonAnthony Hamilton (musician)Anthony Hamilton is an American R&B, and soul singer-songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame with his platinum-selling second studio album Comin' from Where I'm From , which featured the singles "Comin' from Where I'm From" and "Charlene."-Life and career:Hamilton was born in Charlotte,...
- "Struggle No More" - GovernorGovernor (singer)Governor Washington Jr., better known as Governor, is an Southern American Soul and R&B singer who was signed to T.I.'s label, Grand Hustle, under the aegis of Atlantic Records. He is signed to the newly formed G-Note Records which is a subsidiary label of 50 Cent's G-Unit...
- "Blood, Sweat & Tears" - Charles "Gator" Moore, arranged by Jay WeigelJay WeigelJay Weigel is a composer, producer, conductor, arranger, orchestrator, and contractor for film, television, recordings, and concerts.From 1998 to 2001, he worked as an orchestrator, assistant conductor, and head music preparatory for composer Terence Blanchard. From 1985 to 1991 he was Lecturer of...
- "A Change Is Gonna Come" - Brownstone - "5 Miles to Empty"