Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black

I have preached many a funeral.

-As pastor, that is part of my job. -

And I can tell you that there have been moments

when I'm standing here

that I have no conviction,

because the person who died

died in Christ.

Amen!

And that person was a good soul

who God would welcome

with open arms.

As I think about 39-year-old...

Cody Bertran, and his brothers,

the Holy Spirit speaks to me

and says, "Luke chapter 16, verses 27 and 28."

"So the rich man said,

'Father Abraham,

I beg of you to send Lazarus to my father's house,

for I have five brothers,

in order that he may solemnly warn them

and witness to them

so that they, too, will not come to this place of torment.'"

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Now, what this scripture is saying

is that a rich man died and he found himself in hell.

Not because he was rich,

but because of his deeds.

Now how many of you know that rich or poor,

God will judge your deeds?

Amen.

He begged the prophet,

pleaded that he would send word to his brothers

so that they would try to do right

so that they would not wind up where he was.

- -In hell!

- -Yes.

Daddy...

I think about Cody, who died at the hands of violence,

and I think about his brothers yet alive.

I believe, if he were able,

he would want you to have a chance to get your life right with God.

A chance for you not to go the way of your older brother.

-I didn't know he was... -You sayin' my boy's in hell?

You better shut your mouth up, judgin' my boys.

Church, I ask you what kind of representative of God would I be

if I didn't stand on this holy place

and tell the truth.

Amen.

Brothers and sisters, I do not want to miss the chance

to talk to the Bertran family.

I need y'all to pray.

This is a small town.

There's been lots of crime and lots of bullying

and havoc that you boys have wreaked.

You went to elementary school, dropped out in the fifth grade.

Dallas was the only one who graduated high school.

Was the only one who tried not to go the way of crime.

And that is because...

I dare you to say it's because of your daughter.

This girl has done nothing for my boy but judge him and make his life miserable.

-That's not true. -Linda, you've made this town miserable

because you didn't raise your boys right.

-Stealing, raping, maim! - You better watch your mouth.

Breaking into old folks' home!

This boy's in this casket shortly after getting out of prison

because he tried to rob an elderly member of this church

and she shot him dead.

The Bible says if you live by the sword, you die by the sword.

I'm not taking this!

-Ms. Linda. -Shut up!

You said that your daddy was gonna say something good about my boy...

but I knew I shouldn't have believe you.

You oughta show her some respect.

It's because of her that we are paying to bury your son.

Yes.

And that's supposed to mean something to us?

You think I care?

Huh?

Y'all have always looked down on us.

Always!

- - In the name of Jesus!

Do you think the Bertrans need yo' money?

We don't need nothin' from you. You hear me?

Let me get the hell outta here 'fore I say what's on my mind.

- -

-It ain't right. -Boys!

-Yeah, Mama? -Get Cody.

- -Mama.

- What? -Get him!

-Come on, boy. -Yep.

Dallas!

Deacons, deacons, let 'em go.

Back up. Just let 'em go. Let 'em go.

-Ms. Linda. -You did this!

Get... Hey! Hey! Hell no! Hell no!

Now, you watch your mouth in this church.

We were trying to help you.

Mama, please.

Please.

Mama, don't do that.

Mama, don't do that.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. We're not doin' that.

No, we're not doin' that.

Dallas.

Oh my Lord. Oh my Lord, have mercy.

-No, no. -Don't you dare.

You think I need these hand-me-down clothes that your mama gave me? Huh?

I don't.

We the Bertrans, baby, don't you forget it,

and we don't need nothin' from you.

Y'all, get the boy.

-Get him. -

Get him!

No!

Not the casket.

- What?! -Take him out.

Take him out!

All they gon' say is that they paid for the casket!

Take him outta there!

-How you gonna say we gon' get him... -Take him outta there!

Come on, get him!

Oh my God.

- -

That's all right. That's all right. They can have the body.

God has already passed judgment on the soul.

Shut up!

- -Come on, go!

Oh, we've been looking for you.

Yeah. I just... I needed a minute.

Yeah, I can see.

-Well... wasn't as bad as your wedding. -Rona, really?

I'm sorry. You know I'm a straight shooter.

It's his brother's funeral.

I know that. Does his family know that?

Baby, please.

We grew up here. This town is different. You don't know all the ins and outs.

Just 'cause I'm not from the South doesn't mean I don't know right from wrong.

And she's my friend.

Yes, and as my friend you're supposed to be here to support me, right?

Of course, but supporting you doesn't mean lying to you.

-Girl, timing. Timing. -Okay.

Okay. I'm sorry.

Why don't you and Rona take the car, go back to the city?

I'll go check on Dallas.

Oh, no. I can't leave him like this.

I've known him and his family longer than you.

-I know how they can get. -She said she's got it. Let's go.

What kind of friend would I be if I didn't check on him?

-Okay, guys. Look, look. -Jim.

I don't want you guys to fight. I've got it. Just go on.

Okay. All right. We'll see you. All right? We love you.

I love y'all too.

-Let me know when you get home. -I will. Drive safe.

-Bye. -You be good.

I will.

What we gon' do?

You know that woman ain't nothin' but the devil.

She had those boys take the body out of the casket

and march it on outta here.

-What was that supposed to mean? -Y'all talking about me?

We're always talking about you.

Well, I mean, more praying than talking.

Little girl, I-I-I'm so sorry. I-I tried.

I-I wish I coulda done better.

But that boy just did some terrible things

and-and that family...

Clarence, it's been a lot on her today.

Yeah.

You wanna come by the house and have dinner?

Uh, I can't. I need to go get Dallas and we need to get back to Atlanta.

Ava, baby... where is the line?

-Where is it? -

What does that boy have to do for you to walk away?

When you ran track,

when you got close to that finish line, you attacked it.

-Where is your finish line? -Daddy, this is not track.

You and Mama have taught me since I was little to be a good wife.

To stand by my husband. To stay in the marriage.

That is what you preached.

That is what I saw you live, no matter what.

Ava...

me and your daddy, we ain't never been you and Dallas.

Well... Mama, that's why you gotta let me do what's best for me and Dallas.

Well, that's what we've been trying to do.

It's your life.

Well, I gotta go. So...

Okay.

-We love you. -Love you too.

Call you guys when I get home.

Bye.

It's all right.