SPOILER WARNING: This story discusses plot points from “Tyler Perry’s Divorce in the Black,” now streaming on Prime Video.
Tyler Perry’s latest drama “Divorce in the Black” stars Meagan Good as Ava, a banker with an abusive husband (Dallas, played by Cory Hardrict). Their turbulent marriage is punctuated by a series of explosive incidents — beginning with the film’s wild prologue, set amid a small-town funeral that quickly (and meme-ably) gets out of hand when their families clash rather spectacularly. (Ava is the daughter of the local pastor, while Dallas comes from a clan of troublemakers.) Then, when Dallas decides to abandon the marriage and file for divorce, Ava reconnects with her long-lost soulmate and the drama heats up even further. Although Ava used to be willing to fight for their relationship, she finally sees Dallas’ malicious behaviors in the truest light. The trouble is, her ex-husband isn’t willing to give up so easily.
Things come to a head with a final showdown between the couple, as Ava fights to break free once and for all.
While Hardrict says he was apprehensive with some of the more physical scenes between him and Good, he had no problem adding a little “fire” into the dialogue during their intense on-screen fights, trying to get the best reaction out of his co-star.
“I knew we were protagonist/antagonist. We’re going to be up against each other, so I kinda said, ‘You know what, I’m throwing it out the window right now. I’m gonna pull the best out of Meagan,’” Hardrict recalls. “I called her a name. Then Mr. Perry said, ‘Cory, let me talk to you really quick around the corner.’”
Laughing, Good chimes in: “He used the word that makes us all go, ‘Oh no you didn’t!’”
With Variety, Good and Hardrict discuss their experience working with Perry, more about how they pushed each other’s buttons for their performances and the ins and outs of filming Ava and Dallas’ final confrontation.
Meagan, what was it like working as an executive producer on the film?
Good: It was incredible. Working with Tyler, having a chance to be a part of the creative process and just seeing everything come together was amazing. For me, the biggest thing was making sure we had all the right people and all the right ingredients, that we felt great about the work and that what was on the page was coming out in a way that was real to everybody.
How did you work with Tyler to help shape the story?
Good: We talked about some of the things in the scripts, like the backstories and where everyone was at the time the movie takes place, but also leading up to this point. We thought about what the journey was and how we could convey that. The biggest thing was just making sure that people believed their journey got to this point.
Why were you interested in exploring a toxic relationship like the one between Ava and Dallas?
Hardrict: I was interested because that’s a part of real life. I feel like these stories need to be told because life isn’t perfect. Human beings are flawed. That’s what makes great entertainment — when art imitates real life. Sometimes you have to keep it simple and just tell the truth.
It wasn’t a character I’d ever played before, and I felt this was something that could challenge me creatively as an artist, to see if I could take it to the next level. Then when I knew that Meagan was the co-star, that made it even better because she’s a dear friend of mine and we’ve been rooting for each other for a long time.
Good: The thing that I responded to was not necessarily the toxic part of it, but the part of it where you have a choice to make: you can let it make you bitter or you can let it make you better. One of the things I loved about Ava’s journey is, it was her choice. At a certain point, when she realized there was nothing that she could do and that this is happening and she’s felt like her life was ending, she realized that her life was actually having a new beginning. She changed her mindset and she began to embrace, relearn and rediscover herself — and discover some things for the first time. What stuck out most to me is how empowering the story was.
Even with Dallas: first of all, Cory bodied this character and it was cool to watch because he’s so different than the character. But what I loved was that you could see how each character’s journey was different based on the choices that they made. Were they willing to do their work or were they not? The message of the movie is one that is very inspiring, empowering and about self-love and self-worth.
Let’s talk about the ending. What was it like filming that showdown between Ava and Dallas?
Good: Crazy.
Hardrict: It was a little challenging for me because I had to get a little physical. I’ve never played a character like this before, where I had to physically rough someone up, let alone Meagan. It’s acting. You’ve got to protect everyone. You’ve got to continue to go forward injury-free to finish the job, so I always keep that in mind. It was a really safe environment and we were able to still get the great performances and sell it in a real way.
What role did your stunt doubles play in some of the more physical parts of the scene, like when Dallas throws Ava?
Good: I was like, “Throw me, Cory, throw me!” and he was like, “No, I can’t. You’re my sister!” I’m like, “Just go for it.” We did a little bit of that, and then when the stunt double came in, I asked him to throw me, and that was the take they used.
Hardrict: What I can say is that I had a scene where I come home and Benji (Joseph Lee Anderson) is in my bed, and I have to go upstairs and tussle with him. Benji’s really swole, like he eats a lot of oxtails. I only weigh 180 pounds and I had to tussle with him. And a few times, he put that grown man strength on me and I couldn’t handle it. I was like, “This guy is really strong.” He was choking me and I had to tap him a little bit and be like, “Hey, it’s just a movie. Don’t do me like that, now.”
But, that’s my friend, my man, and he was really locked in. Joe works out every day two times a day. I held my own, but he was whooping my ass. I enjoyed it a little bit, it was fun.
The last scene between Ava and Dallas is not just a physical battle, it’s the dialogue too. How did you get comfortable with the lines and pacing of the performance?
Good: The biggest thing was because we’ve known each other for so long, the natural chemistry was already there because we knew we would both do the work. The first day, Cory was very in it. We both were, but he came in hot.
Hardrict: Yeah, I came out really on fire. It was the first day and Meagan is Meagan — she’s so sweet. I knew we were protagonist/antagonist. We’re going to be up against each other, so I kinda said, “You know what, I’m throwing it out the window right now. I’m gonna pull the best out of Meagan.”
I called her a name. Then Mr. Perry said, “Cory, let me talk to you really quick around the corner.” So he talked to me and he said, “I love where you’re going with this, but not right now. Don’t call her that.” I said, “I know Mr. Perry. I was just trying to get under her skin.” That set the tone. She was ready to fight. She was ready to battle the whole movie. A friendly competition. It was all love, but she gave me that look and then I knew it was on. I shocked her when I said it, cause it wasn’t scripted at all.
What was the line?
Hardrict: I don’t know if I can say that. Maybe Meagan can say that.
Good: He used the word that makes us all go, “Oh no you didn’t!”
Hardrict: I was in Dallas mode! The word rhymes with “itch,” and I won’t say the rest. I was like “Sign the papers…” I put just a little extra hot sauce on it, and that extra set the tone and we didn’t let it go. I’ll never forget that day though, cause I thought Mr. Perry was going to send me home. I thought I was in serious trouble. I was too Chicago for a minute there. He did love it …
The topic of verbal, emotional and physical abuse is very prevalent throughout the film. How did you go about portraying that in a way where you also took care of yourselves?
Good: The biggest thing was just being honest and authentic in those moments and sitting with it and talking about it. We were just open to the conversations, not shying away from it, and making sure that we felt good and were comfortable. If there was anything we needed to talk [about], there was an open space to do that.
There was such safety and comfortability with each other that we never felt at risk of anything negative or bad. But obviously with the subject matter and the mindset you had to get into, as long as you’ve got a partner that’s willing to talk it through and cover you, if you shed a tear after a scene because you’re still feeling it and your heart is beating [fast], having that space is everything. And then there’s the aspect of it that you are acting. Sometimes you feel like that and other times it’s cool.
What conversations have you had with Tyler about working together again? Would you want to make another drama or join the world of Madea in a comedy?
Hardrict: Mr. Perry walked up to me and told me that I did an amazing job and that he loved me and gave me a really big hug. It felt genuine. He told me he was really proud of me. Of course, I would do this all over again with Mr. Perry and Meagan; if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. I love drama. I may jump into some comedy because people who know me know that I’m funny. I’m open for possibilities to just do great work and continue to working with great people.
Good: I feel the exact same. I would do it again in a heartbeat with Tyler and Cory. It was just a really, really wonderful experience. Even with the heavy subject matter, we really enjoyed making this together — challenging each other and creating something that hopefully will empower people.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Source Agencies
