Tyler Perry’s Acrimony a very beautifully written suspenseful, emotional rollercoaster of betrayal, revenge, obsession and to be fair “love” is the last word I would use to describe the film’s plot that seems to have started a never ending debate since 2018 and 7 years later here I am writing about it, centred around Melinda and her complex relationship with her husband Robert.
The movie raises a one too many questions about loyalty, self worth and the dangers of holding on to something or someone for too long (oh trust me I know that all too well). The film plays out as a tense love story gone wrong, with both Melinda and Robert making mistakes that turn into destructive consequences. So I have a brand new take on that “who was wrong and why?” question.
From the jump Melinda has been the epitome of devotion, she supports Robert through thick and thin by investing everything LITERALLY her time, her money, her emotional energy into his what at first seemed to be a “stupid” battery to everyone looking from the outside in. On the other hand Robert being a man full of ambition and hope who repeatedly fails to deliver but Melinda stands by him convinced that one day, his big break will come (which they both were right about) but he’s also a man full of excuses and empty promises. As the years pass the cracks in their marriage begin to show with her dreams fading into the background. Then comes the breaking point when Robert’s battery hits, having moved on with his life. After years of sacrifice, she finds herself regretful and betrayed not just by Robert but also by the woman he’s chosen over her. Which turns into a full on rage and the rest is history.
So back to the question who’s truly at fault? The easy answer would be Robert his selfishness, the way he treats her as nothing more than a stepping stone, taking her for granted. He’s a man who promises the world but doesn’t follow through his character is quite charming but really flawed as a man whose lack of accountability for his actions leads to his downfall and Robert never truly respected Melinda which turned their relationship toxic. But while he is the villain in this story, Melinda isn’t entirely innocent either. Her not letting go of the past, her obsession with getting even and her emotional instability were just as damaging as Robert’s deceit, she made irrational decisions that lead to her own undoing, her entitlement clouds her judgment which is fair BUT made her lose sight of what’s truly important. She goes from being a totally supportive partner to a woman consumed by rage, willing to go to extremes to get back with/at Robert.
Basically Acrimony is about the dangers of holding on too tightly to the wrong things. Melinda’s refusal to let go of her past of Robert (the years she invested in him) prevents her from moving forward and loses her sense of self in the process. On the other hand Robert’s inability to truly appreciate Melinda and his emotional immaturity make him a selfish and manipulative figure, someone who takes advantage of her generosity until it’s TOO late.
In the end BOTH are wrong but for different reasons. His betrayal and disregard for her well-being make him the clear target but her fixation on revenge makes her doom just as tragic. Acrimony is a cautionary film about the destructive nature of obsession, the importance of self worth and while it’s easier blame one character over the other, the truth is that both of them are responsible for the chaos that plays out.
But do I believe he loved her? I do, he was just a jerk. But key takeaway from this movie is that sometimes in life it’s not about who’s right or wrong, it’s about learning when to let go. Both in their own way don’t do that and that’s what leads them down a path of self destruction.
Comments