Terri should have cut off the family, moved away and started completely over once it became clear they supported Maxine. I honestly couldn't sit at the same table as them. Too heartbreaking.
I agree. I blame Big Mama because if you notice, she was always on Max's side when Max and Terri would argue. Even when it was clear that Max was being childish.
@@cj8803 AMEN to that. I would have went off on Mother Hypocrite Josephine Joseph. The hypocrite of all time. She reminds me of Clair Hypocrite Huxtable of the Cosby Show who gives Sondra the most recognition.
Looking back, I TOTALLY agree that Terri WAS THE VICTIM. Look how her family treated her all throughout the movie. They used her for her money, stole/slept with her men, and teased her about petty shit when she was the most successful in the damn family! I always thought that Maxine was low key very jealous of Terri and THAT'S why she got with Kenny while Kenny was still dating Terri. That was a slutty move and she was wrong to do that to her own SISTER. The family always made Terri pay for things because she was ballin like that, and they never paid her back, how foul. So yes, her family was grimey.
This movie is so cringe to watch now in my adulthood. Terry definitely should have cut all of these people off. She was the movie villain... but her family was the real villains.
She should've but the thing is Terri was suffering from: "thats still your family", but that doesnt mean you have to suffer or bend over for the same folks that scapegoated
@@principalitycidade4323 I agree. She was not a victim. But she was in an imperfect character . Although she was financially set, she threw all her accolades in her family’s face especially Maxine . I honestly think she was just jealous of her and put her down bx she was a housewife. Keep in mind no one MADE Terri become the sole provider she made that choice.
@@LV2308gmail I agree and disagree. Yes she did throw her accolades in her family's face in the movie but if it werent for those very accolades, where would they be? Heck even at the end of the movie she called in and got her DA connection to help get Lem out of prison. Yes, she did call him the goons, but she made it right. Even saying that, Lem was a felon with a weapon which is a HUGE violation and how she pulled that to get him off the hook... No one made her but without her contributions, the family would have imploded.
@@syoninalinael765 also I would have threw my accolades in they face too especially Maxine because of what she did. She was a horrible sister to begin with. I would’ve made her feel bad every chance I got. But see me, I just wouldn’t have come around. Not answering calls or nothing. Teri family did not love nor care for her feelings.
I just wanted her to stand up for herself: "No one in this family cares about me and if I leave, you all will just side with the people who mistreated me my entire life, so we all might as well be happy by me leaving. I'm selling the house. If you care so much, buy it from me. Then lose my f****** number."
I feel sorry for Terri completely everytime I watch the movie. This whole thing does shows her as the victim. She maybe snoody but may have every good reason. With all that she did anyhow, but for the love, pride, dignity, and respect she couldn't get. I say step away to have them understand the word "consideration" or this: "have you ever considered".
I agree with that. But they never really let her say no. And it might've been hard for her to stand her ground with a family that guilt trips her over and over
She expressed her dislikes quite often. Her family just never respected them, she couldn’t stand firm because you know the whole “blood is thicker than water” thing and it was in the 90s. Like the radical child thing wasn’t popular and quite punished.
and how about the audacity Faith and Miles had to literally stand beside one another, directly across from Teri at her own mothers funeral. Like damn! Could they be any more cold blooded? :(
@SingersDream The only way they could have been more brazen is if they did the Horizontal Mambo on the Big Mama's dining room table, Stark naked and in front of everyone else in the family on a Sunday afternoon.
I agree with Maxine being jealous of Teri but not Big Mama. Terri said so herself that Big Mama & Papa Joseph were the ones who kept her head in the books. Also keep in mind Big Mama came from the generation were certain family conflicts are purposely overlooked or dismissed. So not too surprised she didn't straighten out Maxine's behavior towards Teri
@@JMac7395 because she said you're already on husband number 2, but she never said anything disrespectful like that to Maxine and Maxine the one who took Kenny from Teri... Mama Joe never put Maxine or bird in their place as hard as she does with Teri.. That definitely screams jealousy.. mama Joe never even mentioned Maxine being wrong about the kenny thing..
When terri saw her husband sleeping with her own cousin . I absolutely gaved her the up most respect for just leaving the scene with her nephew. Stuff like that could make a person wanna go crazy , break down and be on the news for killing everybody at that house
THIS. She could have selfishly just freaked out right then and there and let Ahmad see that but she put herself to the side to spare him. Granted, she freaked out later in front of him but this was right after she got hit up for money AGAIN and nobody knew she was cheated on again.
And it makes it worse when Big Mama teases her about running down her family and why she’s on husband #2. Then she loses Kenny to Max because she’s too busy studying to be a lawyer. Then they make fun of her for not being able to cook. Then she loses her 2nd husband to because of yet another family member. Can y’all blame Teri for being so insecure? She always helping her family out being the responsible one when they come to her for financial help and yet they keep betraying her
Teri had her negative traits, that is true. However with the family dumping everything on her, and then going on like nothing is wrong, I can see where those traits came from. It seemed like they (Ahmad excepted) were taking advantage of her. Everyone else was forgiven for their flaws even though they hurt the family but Teri got stuck with the problems. She was definitely under-appreciated.
I think the movie purposely did this, but they never showed how terri was before maxine stole her man. We dont kno if she was like this to begin with which made him wanna cheat but we do kno that her 2 husband's also cheated so its something she's doing wrong. Other than that yea the family is all toxic
I feel Terri was more a victim. She was hardly ever listened, always used for her money, and barely ever taken seriously. Everyone would ridicule her as if it’s nothing and Maxine stole her man in their college days and her cousin Faith slept with her husband which escalated serious issues causing her to blow up at Maxine’s wedding anniversary. I can honestly relate to Terri besides the money. My family hardly doesn’t listen to me and ridicules me and I had my man stolen. It hurts and stuff like how Terri gets treated ruins that someone’s ego and kills their self-esteem making them feel hurt and unappreciated.
I think when we we’re younger, they tried to make terry out to be the bad guy because of her behavior. And because we were young we just sided with the other characters because we thought that terry was mean and petty for no reason, only to find out the truth when we are adults that the family wasn’t shit. Maxine was a terrible sister for sleeping and taking her sister boyfriend, and then she did the unspeakable married him and had children by him, so terry HAD to see him even after that incident happened. And then her cousin slept with her husband……. And Maxine wanted to say something like she didn’t do the same thing to her years earlier. Terry deserved better.
I agree they always made Terry look like the bad one like she's bitter and jealous she cannot keep a man she cannot have kids they try to make it seem like she jealous of Maxine like she deserved it cheated on they made her look horrible and everybody is always in everybody's business
I did too. I rewatched it as an adult years ago thinking my opinion would change and maybe I was just tripping, but nope, it stayed the same. It's a reason why she always had a "chip on her shoulder," as most people would say. Her family wasn't sht.
@@sunshinesista9784 yes i thought people will point the obvious like i did as a damn kid. I'm surprised by these comments. That's why this community needs a serious healing
Terri is a woman who had to step up and help the family being the oldest. Momma out working while daddy is out running the family store and losing all their money due to a bad gambling addiction. Terri took on many adult situations as the oldest even before she was grown according to the story told during Soul Food the series. All that she experienced gave her extra tough skin which came off as harsh to others.
You left out the part where her husband took half of her money from their joint account to start his music. Even tho I was wise enough to know her sister stealing her man was wrong, I was naive to the family using her financially, forced to take in Faith & thinking she was wrong for not supporting her husband’s music. Sis was booked busy & tired she was wronged.
I wholeheartedly agree. Teri defenitely was the victim in the Joseph family. She had everyone's responsibility on her back. Teri deserved way better. Good video.
Terri was my favorite character when I was growing up and I never understood why until I watched the movie as an adult. Other than the fact that I'm not a lawyer, I'd been an ATM for my family before and I was everyone's scapegoat but for some reason I was always made out to be the bad guy. Terri deserved better.
I feel like a lot of men that write these black films always have to "humble" or treat the ambitious and successful black female characters as "evil". It's a tired old troupe. Out of all the characters, Terri didn't have a happy ending in the movie. It sucked. They could have at least used some of the money to pay her back. She even payed for her baby sister's wedding for gosh sake! 😒
Mmmmm, YO GOOD POINT AND INSIGHT!! didn't think of that before... but it definitely makes sense, especially as to how it relates to today's relationship climate in our community. Our success is Intimidating and their complacency and lack of integrity is excused and placed on us. Smh
AND she got her man out of jail... just so he could bitch at her at the family table and be unappreciated by him AND BIRD!! BIRD also took a harsh verbal jab at Terri following Max's suite!
Because BM have always been jealous and envious of BW being successful. Look at how BM act nowdays with BW who have degrees and careers they absolutely despise us.
The heaviest scene was when she found out that Miles took out $5000.00 out of their Joint Bank Account and she said let her know when he does something like that in the future so they could keep the books straight. I couldn't agree more. After seeing what her parents went through with finances, I can understand her not wanting to go through the same thing.
@@laminage I totally agree with this!! Even though Miles was saying it was his part he took out to me that should still be discussed between one another.
I have to disagree, considering her family and situation I don't think she was stuck up or snooty at all, she seemed more practical to me But you're right, they treated her like a punching bag
When you are The Eldest, folks expect you to be the Caretaker in future years. Maxine "Stole" her Boyfriend. She is also The Family Bank, that's so hurtful and nobody seems to appreciate her and what she did. I used to think she was a Beyotch, but when she mentions The "Loans", those guys get upset and defensive because they "know" they could try to pay her back but they don't. Teri should have worked out a Repayment Loan to her Siblings. I've been there, as a Child I would want something and I would hear "No!" but My Sisters always heard "Yes!" yet now I'm the Chief Caretaker since My Sisters live in Two States. They appreciate it but it gets to be challenging to say the very least.
@@user-kz7pd6ih3s Wrong. They were toxic to Teri. Mother Hypocrite Josephine Joseph with the chaperone rule, Maxine The Mouth and Hypocrite #2 stole Kenny the Creep and Faith the Sneaky Hunter for sleeping with Miles.
The craziest part to me Was the fact THE SISTERS LET MILES COME BACK AROUND TO EAT AT THE DINNER TABLE KNOWING WHAT JUST HAPPENED BETWEEN HIM AND TERRI. That pain isn’t over with, It’s like making someone have to re live it all over again. It’s because they didn’t care about Terri’s feelings. I truly feel nobody TOOK ACCOUNTABILITY IN THIS MOVIE. There were a lot of words that were unsaid. A lot of conversations that were not had. As much as Terri needed to acknowledge that her attitude is cold sometimes, that she neglected her husband, that she needs to mind her business Maxine needed to acknowledge the pain she caused when she stole Terri’s boyfriend and MARRIED HIM. Bryd needed to acknowledge what happened with Lem started with HER. Her not saying SHES OKAY after Lem storming in the shop leading her sister to believe he hit her Which led to her getting her cousins to beat him up. That’s a big sister LOOKING TO PROTECT Her intention was always GENUINE. So for Byrd To throw the husband thing back in her face knowing their at the table was dead ass wrong Terri should’ve never announced the pregnancy🤦🏽♀️. But other than that how they treated her was wrong Didn’t nobody tell LEM TO CARRY AROUND NO DAMN GUN AS A FELON. That was his fault he would’ve never did jail time for that. They blame Terri for everything. And brush her pain under the rug. Which is why she acts the way she acts and self sabotages her own relationships BEFORE THEY CAN GET GOOD she ruins it because she’s used to it being taken from her.
I’ve always loved this movie. It’s definitely a childhood movie and a comfort one. Terri was always my favorite of the girls and it bugged me how they treated her.
Interesting observation. I find that to be true. My oldest sister is disliked because she is REAL. I'm the second born, and they're tryna make me a Maxine... but hell nah... I support my big sis!
I kinda wish you would not of said the first part. Yes Terri is beautiful but Maxine and Bird was beautiful too. Lol I apologize I just don’t like how people make it seem like only light skinned women are beautiful
Excellent analysis! When I saw this movie at 18 how they treated Terry made me burn up! I hate that the example of womanhood is to be the perpetual ‘big mama’ that excuses men’s cheating and working her fingers to the bone to keep a man. Terry was treated unfairly. I believe she was snobby because she was constantly put down but yet used as an ATM.
The men in that movie were pretty crappy lol. What made it worse aside from the misogyny is that no one ever apologized to Terri. Not even her cousin. She wasn't sorry and neither were her sisters.
Diabetes from all that Soul Food 🤧 Some is healthy but the sodium and heavy starch and carbs not too mention the pies etc. Sugars boi! I wish my people took health more seriously and poor weight. Just lost my bby brother 2yrs ago at 41 due to diabetic complications. Heed my warning family and friends he would still be here A lot longer should he have made immediate diet changes. Now his sons whom he loved are fatherless and me his brother heartbroken. As our mother was kidnapped and murdered when we were 5&2 sorry I digress. Please extend this message whomever and please apply these words to your life. Remember not all deaths are fast some are slow and come with amputations stokes heart attacks to start countless meds and misery 💯💯💯 Peace and Love your way 🙏🏾❤️💪🏾
I always thought about this character for some reason and felt bad for her and I do agree with everything you said. The bitterness of being used and never really feeling loved and appreciated is something I can relate to
Wow I had not seen the movie in years but thinking of your commentary and revisiting the scenes I can see your valid points. Honesty, I always thought that way as well but when people like the other characters more sometimes unpopular opinion goes out the window. Unfortunately, like so many this was another version of a dysfunctional family some of us know all too well.
I felt like terri was more responsible and right minded she's doing all she's can to keep her family happy, safe, and off the streets. So I say she's a very phenomenal character in the movie who has a very generous side.
Yep. She was the only one that was truly real and loved family. I’m the other side, they didn’t see her as family but more so as a convenient scapegoat and get out of trouble free card.
She was definitely a victim and my thing is just because somebody in the family makes a lot of money doesn't mean you should treat them like a cash cow or an ATM also she should have cut them all off in the end I would have at least
Good thing Teri kicked Miles to the curb for his cheating she probably won't get married again if I were Teri after finding the money in the old TV she should say "Well looks like you won't need me as the ATM anymore I divorced my husband so I'm done with all of you." She leaves packs up her stuff & leaves town to start a new life elsewhere away from her money hungry, man stealing, people who treated her like shit family.
@@catspaw3092 that’s why they should of made a second movie so we could see. They’ve been saying for years there was supposed to be a sequel called More Soul Food. Just like they said we was going to get a sequel to Waiting to Exhale. Well, Whitney passed, so that is probably why they never did that one
@@aaronbell89 I can see the 2nd Soul Food movie being about Teri's law firm wanting to transfer her to another country lets say New Zealand & she sees this as not only an opportunity to move to another country but to get away from her family. Her family tries to get her to stay because they need their cash cow even though they have the money they found at the house the money gets used up quick & they try to get Teri to give them more money & she's like "ENOUGH!" She leaves town she's a free woman plus she & Miles are divorced so he can be their cash cow from now on Teri is looking after Teri. She makes new friends & learns to loosen up but she never marries again 2 failed marriages taught her that & she's not interested in a 3rd. Ahmad gets fed up with how the family has treated his Aunt Teri he calls them greedy, mean & selfish. Maxine & Birdie eventually realized how much they've hurt & betrayed their sister & go to New Zealand & beg Teri to come back. I want it to be a bitter sweet ending I'm sick of every movie like this having a happy endings. It doesn't always have to have a happy ending Teri tells them she's happy with her new life & that she's not coming back she forgives her sisters but she never trusts them again nor the same for Big Mama for that matter because she allowed Maxine & Birdie to get away with everything. Karma gets Miles as he starts a new relationship with another woman attorney but she sets him up to get fired he does find another job at a law firm but he cuts off his ex wife's family because they keep bugging him for money. As for Faith karma got her when she gets involved another man but he manipulates her & cheats on her with another woman then she gets injured & can never dance again. Or she gets pregnant but her new man runs out on her leaving her as a single mom she then realizes this is karma for the things she's done in her life & for sleeping with Teri's husband.
That's tough. For a while, certainly, but idk if time would heal that wound. Especially if they had a good marriage like they did. It showed it was legitimate. I've never been in that situation so I can't say for certain. Of course if my wife cheated on me right before their anniversary party, and I had to go, I'm guessing that "legitimate" thinking would go out the window
I was 13 when this movie came out and even than it never set right with me the dynamics of Teri's story... Even at the end though she seemed to made peace with everything, she was the only one that lost... She lost her husband, Her Mom, her integrity... Sure forgiveness is peace but i wanted more for her. I don't think she was snooty, i don't even think she's stuck up... i feel that her prowess was due to her strength, and as history shows Women especially black women of strength and vigor tend to be villainized because subconsciously society don't want us as women to qualify our strength. Honestly the person that bothered me was Maxine because she constantly taunted Teri while uplifting everyone else. Teri wasn't stuck up or mean... She was sad... Unfortunately there was no room made for her sadness to be affirmed therefore overcame therefore it becomes resentment. Im so glad Teri is getting the way overdue affirmation... And I'm grateful that we as Woman at this place in evolution has honed our own strength so much that we are able to shine light on topics like this... Look at us!!!
I disagree about faith. They wanted faith to stay because she was a hurricane. She came in , destroyed everything and than bounced when the clean up needed to take place. Then making her stay was more of them saying " if you family stay and act like it. Dont bounce when sh## hits the fan . They should have given her an ultimatum. Either stay and work this out or don't come back
Yeah, even though in the movie, everyone else had their personal problems, I agree 100% that Terri was wronged too, and not just everyone else... Tbh, you don't even HAVE to be successful and/or rich or at LEAST well-off to know what she's been through. I've had loads of friends who were used and manipulated into doing a good deed and sending their friends money, only to find out that said friend turned out to be fake as crap, and goes as far as to block them, as well as running away with the money that was gifted to them, and my friends aren't even rich, hell, they're nowhere NEAR being well-off, they are struggling just like the rest of us (even more so since pandemic started). If her husband wasn't interested in being married to her anymore, he COULD'VE just gently discussed a divorce with her, cheating on her just proves that he is a sly and sneaky untrustworthy person... In conclusion, I don't understand why she was the most wronged especially the fact that her own MOTHER decided it was cute to crack a harsh joke regarding her pain, you would think a parent would PRAISE the child with the most success, even going as far as to pick them as their favorite (Yes, I know that isn't right to do, but sadly it does happen). I feel sorry for her the most...Literally got used by her own flesh and blood, as well as getting cheated on by a man that she cared deeply for...
I looked at a thread that showed that very point. Having watched it as an adult, I'm like "Wow...they did Terri dirty" I'd have moved 10 hours away because they'd be too lazy to come see me
This is something thats common in ALL families no matter the color or background....you gotta stick with family no matter how shitty they treat you ...and that something that's bullshit!
This is a dope video, it's done in the early style of TH-cam. Simple and to the point. I feel like they did kind of ho Teri when she was way more involved than most people in their family's money issues, and getting cheating on, having to eat dinner with the cheater...nah she was a little snobby but, that's not an excuse to shyt on her every chance they got.
No i don’t think Teri was the victim, throughout the movie they keep mentioning how Maxine was the “strongest” in the family but actually that role belongs to Teri!!! She was definitely the strongest, she bails everyone out, she takes care of everything, and she get shit done! For example everyone was mad at Teri for calling their jailbird cousin but in Teri’s eyes he looked like he beat her ass, look how he came in that shop! Foh she was being a good sister. And not to mention even though she was mad at her sisters for blind sided her with the cease and desist she still called in a favor to bail bird’s man out. Plus she didn’t have a negative attitude she just told them the truth!!! They were grown ass ppl who made dumbass decisions that fell on her to fix. She didn’t have the luxury to be a screwup or drop everything and just do what she want like everyone else, cuz who else will cover bill??? They never considered her feelings but she always figured it out. No matter how she felt she always came through to help her freeloading family members. So in My eyes she was a boss bitch and the strongest! No victim here!
100% correct! Found this video looking for a clip where Teri says, “Automatically Teri’s Money”. This is definitely real! Currently my life! Family and friends! 😒😂
Even Vanessa Williams was frustrated with the Joseph family as actress playing Terri. “F the family” in the kitchen scene from the party was an adlib. 😂😂
I knew she was the victim once it was understood their mother felt Terry was supposed to eat sunday dinner with her sister that ended up marrying her boyfriend who cheated on her with that same sister.Then the husband cheats with ho cousin.Plus she has to pay for everything .She was most likely so damaged by the betrayal she focused on school and work and didnt date for a very long time and when she finally married she couldnt have kids anymore and was too angry and became a complete workaholic.Meanwhile her sister has 2 kids and one on the way with Terrys ex boyfriend.WOW . Maxine always had to have what Terry had and probably was jealous of Terry and Terry is the classy one.Terry is the one to look up to in the eyes of Maxine the MIDDLE child.I think Maxine had middle child syndrome and was just jealous of Terrys....EVERYTHING.
I felt this way about Terri even when I was a child, and as an adult, I grew to relate to her. My family has recently been treating me the same way, expecting me to be the breadwinner and expect me to give them money when they need to borrow from me, and if I refuse, I'm considered selfish and then get guilt-tripped to reconsider my decision if I dared to say no. Not to mention one time, I was considered selfish because I chose to go to work on time over waiting for my cousin to get to his job despite the fact that he started work 30 minutes AFTER me. So yeah. Terri was definitely the victim, no questions asked.
Despite that her mom preached family & sticking together did their mom not see how her other daughters treated their older sister? I'm sorry but no amount of family & love is going to make me put up with it I would pack up & move if anything happens then the rest of the family will how to pitch in.
I wish you did the Soul Food tv show analyses her relationship with Ahmad expanded and it basically looked like he was following in her footsteps going to a good prep school and his birthday was hosted at her nice home to impress his rich friends from school.
I remember seeing a movie when it first came out. And when I thought about it, I realized it was nothing but a disgrace. The fact that Maxine stole Terri's man, and she was not held accountable, shows it's a horrible example for black people to go by. I've seen people in the projects do a better job of that. This was nothing more then a disgrace to the black community as a whole. We got enough problems, and they try to use this movie for an example of how to have family. Complete garbage. I'm disgusted
I still love this movie but now when I look at it, I now see that most of the characters weren’t crap like Teri, Maxine, Bird, Miles, cousin Faith, and Simuel. The characters that I did relate to was Lem, Kenny, Ahmad, and mother Joe.
Kenny hopping from sister to sister. Nah fam, that's trash. Lem pushing up on his ex AT THE WEDDING and lying about not having a job to his wife? Trash.
Also when Cousin Faith moved into The House, they should have told her she had to get a Job, earn her keep and it wasn't going to be a permanent residence. Yes they were Family but none of the Sisters live in The House. Also Faith must have also been insanely jealous of Terri's success. As many folks know Chicago, Ill is a mecca for Southern Blacks and probably their ancestors were from either Mississippi or Memphis and to be in a Marriage where both you and your Husband are Lawyers is quite impressive.
In my opinion Teri is a complex character it makes the audience feel sorry for her and want her to win such as getting a chance of happiness in life due to her family betraying her as Maxine steal her boyfriend Kenny, Faith slept with her husband Miles, and they constantly kept relaying on her for money for financial issues. She was responsible and independent I give her credit for that and I feel like her family should have gave more recognition and creditability so she can feel loved and appreciated by them but at the same time Teri was arrogant, cocky, and narcissistic.
@Deja Alston I agree with you mostly except for the arrogant, cocky and narcissistic. It all started with Mother Hypocrite Josephine Joseph with the chaperone rule. Also with Maxine who stole Kenny from Teri and Faith who stole Miles from Teri. I despised them for that.
@@wonderwoman5732 When I was a kid I always loathe Teri for her personality of how she always treated Miles and everybody like she's better than them. Certain scenes in the movie definitely represents that. For example- At the hospital scene when Teri told Maxine " I won't let you disrespectful my mama like she's already dead" when she say it I was like " Oooooooh" 😰😱 It was definitely blow out of proportion. Maxine and Faith we're both wrong for betraying Teri but Teri was always like that.
I think the ultimate point was that EVERYONE in the Joseph family had issues. Remember how the family falls apart after Big Mama's death? Remember how Big Mama refused to take insulin?
Terri wasn't a victim she was the hero and in fact was next in line to take over the matriarchy. Was big momma a victim because she took care of her family? We never look at it like that because she used love and comfort. Terri just had money but she also had the same love and compassion for her family.
No, the relationship between Ebony and Diamond was MUCH better than the relationship between Teri and Faith. Diamond LOVED Ebony, while Teri damn near HATED Faith.
I jusgave like 800 aftering discovering this video. I still have the original VHS for this movie. I was a kid n the 90's when this came out, and we got the VHS tape as soon as the movie was released on VHS. It also came with a cookbook. Sprite Pound Cake 😂
@@gokuwrightattorneyatlaw5227 yeah even as a kid I felt Terry was mistreated and done wrong and I feel like nobody made it a big deal that her sister took her boyfriend
Terry was definitely the victim I don't like how the movie trying to make it seem like she was the villain her sister stole her boyfriend and slept with him her cousin slept with her husband people always say she jealous of her sister and she's jealous of people but they say using her and stealing stuff from her so they must be jealous of her they always want what she has they just use her for money and don't care
if you can, check out Sister Sister starring Diahann Carroll, Irene Cara, Kristoff St. John and Rosalind Cash (RIP). Diahann's character carrie is the chief caretaker for her family but she got the short end of the stick. she had to take care of papa the first black judge in alabama, when he got ill she took care of him and also took care of her late in life sister Sistina aka "Sissy". she worked, took care of the house, paid the bills, etc. jr ewing was alot like terri. he was the eldest son who had to take care of business after brother gary left, he worked to make ewing oil the success story it became, got his position the old fashioned way by doing 16 years of work starting in 1962 then little brother bobby who was ten years his jr, got his position as executive on a silver platter. jr made bobby work hard for his and it paid off in dividends, in his will when he "died", he thanked jr for not allowing him to cut corners.
How was it unrealistic? They ate soul food on Sundays not everyday apparently. Big Momma obviously wasn’t slim, she may have ate it more than they did.
I think the points you made in this video were *supposed* to jump out at us; the audience simply confused realism with the film's intended perspective.
They hated and were jealous of Terri because her natural beauty and professional success. In short, Terri had a good life and had a lot going for her and they hated her for it. They only "loved" Terri when they need her help as an atm.
Terri wasn't being treated right in the tv series either. She was ordered to pay alimony to her 1st husband, Russell. Even though he gave her every dime back, still😣. She was having panic attacks because she became everything to everyone but herself. 😢 She didn't make partner at her law firm and that reactivated all her inadequacies.
Terry should have cut off our family and not deal with them and I did not like how big mama said you already on husband number two what kind of mother was say that to their child plus everybody is always everybody's business
I wouldn't absolutely love if you @nostalagia would've have kept it coming with your movies highly intelligent well spoken and thought I can tell you did your research and was analyze the characters in this movie perfectly
Mama Jo (Big Mama) was the actual villain. She enabled her family to financially abuse Terri. She didn’t get her mentally ill brother proper medical care. She allowed that pastor to SA and inappropriately harass her daughters while she sat back and laughed. She didn’t take care of her health and didn’t even leave a will which left her children fighting over her estate and how to pay her debts. KNOWING SHE HAD THAT MONEY STASHED. I have half of mind to believe that wasn’t her money and Uncle Pete was actually saving that but they wrote him off as being crazy and took his money.
Terri should have cut off the family, moved away and started completely over once it became clear they supported Maxine. I honestly couldn't sit at the same table as them. Too heartbreaking.
1000% agree, I would have cut them off!
I would've done the same thing 😎🤙
I agree. I blame Big Mama because if you notice, she was always on Max's side when Max and Terri would argue. Even when it was clear that Max was being childish.
@@cj8803 AMEN to that. I would have went off on Mother Hypocrite Josephine Joseph. The hypocrite of all time. She reminds me of Clair Hypocrite Huxtable of the Cosby Show who gives Sondra the most recognition.
@@nostalgiatv9365 10,000% agree!
Looking back, I TOTALLY agree that Terri WAS THE VICTIM. Look how her family treated her all throughout the movie. They used her for her money, stole/slept with her men, and teased her about petty shit when she was the most successful in the damn family! I always thought that Maxine was low key very jealous of Terri and THAT'S why she got with Kenny while Kenny was still dating Terri. That was a slutty move and she was wrong to do that to her own SISTER. The family always made Terri pay for things because she was ballin like that, and they never paid her back, how foul. So yes, her family was grimey.
D Clark, you said it all 👍👍👍
Where was Bird at when Terri and Maxine was teenagers I wonder? Could she of not been born yet? Or maybe just a baby?
@@aaronbell89 Not quite. She was a pre-teen.
Mother Hypocrite Josephine Joseph was the most jealous of Teri as well as Maxine and Bird. Nephew and nieces weren't jealous.
It wasn't low key she was and int he series they show Maxine expresses it.. the series Terry was a victim. Definitely
This movie is so cringe to watch now in my adulthood. Terry definitely should have cut all of these people off. She was the movie villain... but her family was the real villains.
She should've but the thing is Terri was suffering from: "thats still your family", but that doesnt mean you have to suffer or bend over for the same folks that scapegoated
@@principalitycidade4323 I agree. She was not a victim. But she was in an imperfect character . Although she was financially set, she threw all her accolades in her family’s face especially Maxine . I honestly think she was just jealous of her and put her down bx she was a housewife. Keep in mind no one MADE Terri become the sole provider she made that choice.
@@LV2308gmail I agree and disagree. Yes she did throw her accolades in her family's face in the movie but if it werent for those very accolades, where would they be? Heck even at the end of the movie she called in and got her DA connection to help get Lem out of prison. Yes, she did call him the goons, but she made it right. Even saying that, Lem was a felon with a weapon which is a HUGE violation and how she pulled that to get him off the hook... No one made her but without her contributions, the family would have imploded.
@@syoninalinael765 also I would have threw my accolades in they face too especially Maxine because of what she did. She was a horrible sister to begin with. I would’ve made her feel bad every chance I got. But see me, I just wouldn’t have come around. Not answering calls or nothing. Teri family did not love nor care for her feelings.
Big Mama was the worst villain of all
I just wanted her to stand up for herself: "No one in this family cares about me and if I leave, you all will just side with the people who mistreated me my entire life, so we all might as well be happy by me leaving. I'm selling the house. If you care so much, buy it from me. Then lose my f****** number."
It's a damn shame the only family member who treated her right was a damn child 🤣😭
I feel sorry for Terri completely everytime I watch the movie. This whole thing does shows her as the victim. She maybe snoody but may have every good reason. With all that she did anyhow, but for the love, pride, dignity, and respect she couldn't get. I say step away to have them understand the word "consideration" or this: "have you ever considered".
Yes, Terri was a victim. HOWEVER, Terri also lacked boundaries. At some point, you gotta learn to SAY NO!! PERIOD!
Yup can't always be a people pleaser
Facts
I agree with that. But they never really let her say no. And it might've been hard for her to stand her ground with a family that guilt trips her over and over
She expressed her dislikes quite often. Her family just never respected them, she couldn’t stand firm because you know the whole “blood is thicker than water” thing and it was in the 90s. Like the radical child thing wasn’t popular and quite punished.
@@ihaveabsolutelynoidea7818 ESPECIALLY MAXINE UGH!! Bird wasn't innocent either.
I think the stuck up and snooty was a defense mechanism.
*DEFINITELY!!*
and how about the audacity Faith and Miles had to literally stand beside one another, directly across from Teri at her own mothers funeral.
Like damn! Could they be any more cold blooded? :(
Yeah that was cold and an underrated scene people don’t talk about. They should have stood 10 inches away from each other.
All they needed were Reptile Eyes and tongues.
In their own home too on top of the roof!! 😢😢
@SingersDream The only way they could have been more brazen is if they did the Horizontal Mambo on the Big Mama's dining room table, Stark naked and in front of everyone else in the family on a Sunday afternoon.
Terri was the family scapegoat and i think maxxine and big momma were jealous of her looks and her intelligence
@OnyxRose 80 I definitely agree to the power of infinity!
I agree with Maxine being jealous of Teri but not Big Mama. Terri said so herself that Big Mama & Papa Joseph were the ones who kept her head in the books. Also keep in mind Big Mama came from the generation were certain family conflicts are purposely overlooked or dismissed. So not too surprised she didn't straighten out Maxine's behavior towards Teri
@@JMac7395 Look here. Mother Hypocrite Josephine Joseph's behind was simply jealous. That is that.
@@wonderwoman5732 Why do you think Big Mama was jealous of Teri? When did she give an indication that she was envious of her daughter?
@@JMac7395 because she said you're already on husband number 2, but she never said anything disrespectful like that to Maxine and Maxine the one who took Kenny from Teri... Mama Joe never put Maxine or bird in their place as hard as she does with Teri.. That definitely screams jealousy.. mama Joe never even mentioned Maxine being wrong about the kenny thing..
Not an unpopular opinion but fact.💯💯✔
When terri saw her husband sleeping with her own cousin . I absolutely gaved her the up most respect for just leaving the scene with her nephew. Stuff like that could make a person wanna go crazy , break down and be on the news for killing everybody at that house
THIS. She could have selfishly just freaked out right then and there and let Ahmad see that but she put herself to the side to spare him. Granted, she freaked out later in front of him but this was right after she got hit up for money AGAIN and nobody knew she was cheated on again.
@@aspyn.j_ Hey, Aspyn., girl, you keep up the good work!
Exactly, her eyes had murder written all over it, but she stepped away because her little nephew was with her.
And it makes it worse when Big Mama teases her about running down her family and why she’s on husband #2. Then she loses Kenny to Max because she’s too busy studying to be a lawyer. Then they make fun of her for not being able to cook. Then she loses her 2nd husband to because of yet another family member. Can y’all blame Teri for being so insecure? She always helping her family out being the responsible one when they come to her for financial help and yet they keep betraying her
Facts!
I don’t think she was insecure as much as she was frustrated and feeling trapped due to family loyalty yet with no boundaries.
The sisters had to chaperone each other on dates
Teri had her negative traits, that is true. However with the family dumping everything on her, and then going on like nothing is wrong, I can see where those traits came from. It seemed like they (Ahmad excepted) were taking advantage of her. Everyone else was forgiven for their flaws even though they hurt the family but Teri got stuck with the problems. She was definitely under-appreciated.
Seemed like her negative traits were a coping mechanism for all the ways they mistreated her.
I think the movie purposely did this, but they never showed how terri was before maxine stole her man. We dont kno if she was like this to begin with which made him wanna cheat but we do kno that her 2 husband's also cheated so its something she's doing wrong. Other than that yea the family is all toxic
I feel Terri was more a victim. She was hardly ever listened, always used for her money, and barely ever taken seriously. Everyone would ridicule her as if it’s nothing and Maxine stole her man in their college days and her cousin Faith slept with her husband which escalated serious issues causing her to blow up at Maxine’s wedding anniversary. I can honestly relate to Terri besides the money. My family hardly doesn’t listen to me and ridicules me and I had my man stolen. It hurts and stuff like how Terri gets treated ruins that someone’s ego and kills their self-esteem making them feel hurt and unappreciated.
I think when we we’re younger, they tried to make terry out to be the bad guy because of her behavior. And because we were young we just sided with the other characters because we thought that terry was mean and petty for no reason, only to find out the truth when we are adults that the family wasn’t shit. Maxine was a terrible sister for sleeping and taking her sister boyfriend, and then she did the unspeakable married him and had children by him, so terry HAD to see him even after that incident happened.
And then her cousin slept with her husband……. And Maxine wanted to say something like she didn’t do the same thing to her years earlier. Terry deserved better.
I agree they always made Terry look like the bad one like she's bitter and jealous she cannot keep a man she cannot have kids they try to make it seem like she jealous of Maxine like she deserved it cheated on they made her look horrible and everybody is always in everybody's business
@@Tiajones333 exactly!!!!! But they made her pay for everything since she was the breadwinner of the family.
That's not an unpopular opinion you was just stating the facts. Terry was the victim.
I remember watching this movie when I was little and I always sympathize with Terry. Her family did her wronged.
I did too. I rewatched it as an adult years ago thinking my opinion would change and maybe I was just tripping, but nope, it stayed the same. It's a reason why she always had a "chip on her shoulder," as most people would say. Her family wasn't sht.
@@Tha90sKid I agree. Only Kelly, Ahmad and niece and other nephew weren't involved.
They did her wrong. But now that I look at it, Terri could of always said “ No” instead of doing everything. Nobody was forcing her
I did too. Surprised that this was an unpopular opinion.
@@sunshinesista9784 yes i thought people will point the obvious like i did as a damn kid. I'm surprised by these comments. That's why this community needs a serious healing
Terri is a woman who had to step up and help the family being the oldest. Momma out working while daddy is out running the family store and losing all their money due to a bad gambling addiction. Terri took on many adult situations as the oldest even before she was grown according to the story told during Soul Food the series. All that she experienced gave her extra tough skin which came off as harsh to others.
The film villain is Teri. The ACTUAL villain is Maxine.
Mama Joe is the real villain
Maxine and the Mama were
I always thought this too! How crazy they treated her 😞
You left out the part where her husband took half of her money from their joint account to start his music. Even tho I was wise enough to know her sister stealing her man was wrong, I was naive to the family using her financially, forced to take in Faith & thinking she was wrong for not supporting her husband’s music. Sis was booked busy & tired she was wronged.
Teri was 💯 a victim that's not an opinion it's a fact Maxine was very jealous of her
@Nosgalista Nineties: You are half right. Maxine the Mouth and Hypocrite #2 and Mother Hypocrite Josephine Joseph are jealous of Teri.
I wholeheartedly agree. Teri defenitely was the victim in the Joseph family. She had everyone's responsibility on her back. Teri deserved way better. Good video.
Terri was my favorite character when I was growing up and I never understood why until I watched the movie as an adult. Other than the fact that I'm not a lawyer, I'd been an ATM for my family before and I was everyone's scapegoat but for some reason I was always made out to be the bad guy. Terri deserved better.
I feel like a lot of men that write these black films always have to "humble" or treat the ambitious and successful black female characters as "evil". It's a tired old troupe. Out of all the characters, Terri didn't have a happy ending in the movie. It sucked. They could have at least used some of the money to pay her back. She even payed for her baby sister's wedding for gosh sake! 😒
Mmmmm, YO GOOD POINT AND INSIGHT!! didn't think of that before... but it definitely makes sense, especially as to how it relates to today's relationship climate in our community. Our success is Intimidating and their complacency and lack of integrity is excused and placed on us. Smh
AND she got her man out of jail... just so he could bitch at her at the family table and be unappreciated by him AND BIRD!! BIRD also took a harsh verbal jab at Terri following Max's suite!
Because BM have always been jealous and envious of BW being successful.
Look at how BM act nowdays with BW who have degrees and careers they absolutely despise us.
...and she paid for BIrd's beauty shop!!!!
100%
The heaviest scene was when she found out that Miles took out $5000.00 out of their Joint Bank Account and she said let her know when he does something like that in the future so they could keep the books straight. I couldn't agree more. After seeing what her parents went through with finances, I can understand her not wanting to go through the same thing.
@@laminage I totally agree with this!! Even though Miles was saying it was his part he took out to me that should still be discussed between one another.
It was unpopular in 1997. But now, nope.
Justice for Terry
I agree. Teri had it the worst in my opinion. I felt bad for her
Terri was done so wrong and was Gaslit in damn near every scene
Terri could've easily become the female version of Killmonger from Black Panther if it weren't for the solid relationship with her nephew Ahmad.
Ahmad kept her sane
@@flyguy1827 legit he was the only family member that didn't mistreat her
I always felt the Mother character was on the side of the daughter who looked like her. She seemed to be able to do no wrong
Side note - I remember the actor who played Myles as Mr. Darnell in the movie Lean On Me. Amazing actor.
@@joemasters2270 Michael Beach? Yes love him ❤️
I have to disagree, considering her family and situation I don't think she was stuck up or snooty at all, she seemed more practical to me
But you're right, they treated her like a punching bag
Right! Her practicality and character contrasted theirs hence the sentiments of her by them.
When you are The Eldest, folks expect you to be the Caretaker in future years. Maxine "Stole" her Boyfriend. She is also The Family Bank, that's so hurtful and nobody seems to appreciate her and what she did. I used to think she was a Beyotch, but when she mentions The "Loans", those guys get upset and defensive because they "know" they could try to pay her back but they don't. Teri should have worked out a Repayment Loan to her Siblings. I've been there, as a Child I would want something and I would hear "No!" but My Sisters always heard "Yes!" yet now I'm the Chief Caretaker since My Sisters live in Two States. They appreciate it but it gets to be challenging to say the very least.
I think successful woman intimidates people.
Not quite, successful people like Teri gets hated on.
She was very toxic to her family and to miles and got Lem arrested
@@user-kz7pd6ih3s Wrong. They were toxic to Teri. Mother Hypocrite Josephine Joseph with the chaperone rule, Maxine The Mouth and Hypocrite #2 stole Kenny the Creep and Faith the Sneaky Hunter for sleeping with Miles.
Intimidation is the source of said hatred Wonder Woman.
Teri was the victim in the Soul Food tv series as wel.
The craziest part to me
Was the fact THE SISTERS LET MILES COME BACK AROUND TO EAT AT THE DINNER TABLE KNOWING WHAT JUST HAPPENED BETWEEN HIM AND TERRI. That pain isn’t over with, It’s like making someone have to re live it all over again. It’s because they didn’t care about Terri’s feelings.
I truly feel nobody TOOK ACCOUNTABILITY IN THIS MOVIE.
There were a lot of words that were unsaid. A lot of conversations that were not had.
As much as Terri needed to acknowledge that her attitude is cold sometimes, that she neglected her husband, that she needs to mind her business
Maxine needed to acknowledge the pain she caused when she stole Terri’s boyfriend and MARRIED HIM.
Bryd needed to acknowledge what happened with Lem started with HER.
Her not saying SHES OKAY after Lem storming in the shop leading her sister to believe he hit her
Which led to her getting her cousins to beat him up.
That’s a big sister LOOKING TO PROTECT
Her intention was always GENUINE.
So for Byrd To throw the husband thing back in her face knowing their at the table was dead ass wrong
Terri should’ve never announced the pregnancy🤦🏽♀️. But other than that how they treated her was wrong
Didn’t nobody tell LEM TO CARRY AROUND NO DAMN GUN AS A FELON. That was his fault he would’ve never did jail time for that.
They blame Terri for everything. And brush her pain under the rug. Which is why she acts the way she acts and self sabotages her own relationships
BEFORE THEY CAN GET GOOD she ruins it because she’s used to it being taken from her.
I’ve always loved this movie. It’s definitely a childhood movie and a comfort one. Terri was always my favorite of the girls and it bugged me how they treated her.
Same!
She really did normalize not associating yourself with toxic people.
I’ve heard a joke that no one likes the eldest daughter in most families. And I’m still noticing this. Not just in black families either.
Interesting observation. I find that to be true. My oldest sister is disliked because she is REAL. I'm the second born, and they're tryna make me a Maxine... but hell nah... I support my big sis!
As beautiful as Vanessa is she was the victim throughout the whole movie due to the messy family and cheating husband Miles (Michael)
Challenge!!!
I kinda wish you would not of said the first part. Yes Terri is beautiful but Maxine and Bird was beautiful too. Lol I apologize I just don’t like how people make it seem like only light skinned women are beautiful
@@aaronbell89 I hear where you are coming from. It's not so much about how they look, it's about the actions, not the people.
Excellent analysis! When I saw this movie at 18 how they treated Terry made me burn up! I hate that the example of womanhood is to be the perpetual ‘big mama’ that excuses men’s cheating and working her fingers to the bone to keep a man. Terry was treated unfairly. I believe she was snobby because she was constantly put down but yet used as an ATM.
The men in that movie were pretty crappy lol. What made it worse aside from the misogyny is that no one ever apologized to Terri. Not even her cousin. She wasn't sorry and neither were her sisters.
Terri was always one of my favorite characters in soulfood, the movie and the series!❤ i was 10 when the movie came out.
@@princess17257 really? I was 6 lol
Diabetes from all that Soul Food 🤧 Some is healthy but the sodium and heavy starch and carbs not too mention the pies etc. Sugars boi! I wish my people took health more seriously and poor weight. Just lost my bby brother 2yrs ago at 41 due to diabetic complications. Heed my warning family and friends he would still be here A lot longer should he have made immediate diet changes. Now his sons whom he loved are fatherless and me his brother heartbroken. As our mother was kidnapped and murdered when we were 5&2 sorry I digress. Please extend this message whomever and please apply these words to your life. Remember not all deaths are fast some are slow and come with amputations stokes heart attacks to start countless meds and misery 💯💯💯 Peace and Love your way 🙏🏾❤️💪🏾
Big mama probably raised her to be the financial provider in the family smh but showed love to the other two
I always thought about this character for some reason and felt bad for her and I do agree with everything you said. The bitterness of being used and never really feeling loved and appreciated is something I can relate to
Certainly a victim
Wow I had not seen the movie in years but thinking of your commentary and revisiting the scenes I can see your valid points. Honesty, I always thought that way as well but when people like the other characters more sometimes unpopular opinion goes out the window. Unfortunately, like so many this was another version of a dysfunctional family some of us know all too well.
I felt like terri was more responsible and right minded she's doing all she's can to keep her family happy, safe, and off the streets. So I say she's a very phenomenal character in the movie who has a very generous side.
Yep. She was the only one that was truly real and loved family. I’m the other side, they didn’t see her as family but more so as a convenient scapegoat and get out of trouble free card.
She was definitely a victim and my thing is just because somebody in the family makes a lot of money doesn't mean you should treat them like a cash cow or an ATM also she should have cut them all off in the end I would have at least
And you would've been completely right!
@@lovelylinda8891 yeah either way it was a good movie
And than again when I look at it, Terri could of always said “No”. Technically nobody was forcing her to do all that
Good thing Teri kicked Miles to the curb for his cheating she probably won't get married again if I were Teri after finding the money in the old TV she should say "Well looks like you won't need me as the ATM anymore I divorced my husband so I'm done with all of you." She leaves packs up her stuff & leaves town to start a new life elsewhere away from her money hungry, man stealing, people who treated her like shit family.
@@catspaw3092 that’s why they should of made a second movie so we could see. They’ve been saying for years there was supposed to be a sequel called More Soul Food. Just like they said we was going to get a sequel to Waiting to Exhale. Well, Whitney passed, so that is probably why they never did that one
@@aaronbell89 I can see the 2nd Soul Food movie being about Teri's law firm wanting to transfer her to another country lets say New Zealand & she sees this as not only an opportunity to move to another country but to get away from her family. Her family tries to get her to stay because they need their cash cow even though they have the money they found at the house the money gets used up quick & they try to get Teri to give them more money & she's like "ENOUGH!" She leaves town she's a free woman plus she & Miles are divorced so he can be their cash cow from now on Teri is looking after Teri. She makes new friends & learns to loosen up but she never marries again 2 failed marriages taught her that & she's not interested in a 3rd. Ahmad gets fed up with how the family has treated his Aunt Teri he calls them greedy, mean & selfish. Maxine & Birdie eventually realized how much they've hurt & betrayed their sister & go to New Zealand & beg Teri to come back. I want it to be a bitter sweet ending I'm sick of every movie like this having a happy endings. It doesn't always have to have a happy ending Teri tells them she's happy with her new life & that she's not coming back she forgives her sisters but she never trusts them again nor the same for Big Mama for that matter because she allowed Maxine & Birdie to get away with everything. Karma gets Miles as he starts a new relationship with another woman attorney but she sets him up to get fired he does find another job at a law firm but he cuts off his ex wife's family because they keep bugging him for money. As for Faith karma got her when she gets involved another man but he manipulates her & cheats on her with another woman then she gets injured & can never dance again. Or she gets pregnant but her new man runs out on her leaving her as a single mom she then realizes this is karma for the things she's done in her life & for sleeping with Teri's husband.
I’m a grudge holder so I would ignore my own family member
That's tough. For a while, certainly, but idk if time would heal that wound. Especially if they had a good marriage like they did. It showed it was legitimate.
I've never been in that situation so I can't say for certain.
Of course if my wife cheated on me right before their anniversary party, and I had to go, I'm guessing that "legitimate" thinking would go out the window
I was 13 when this movie came out and even than it never set right with me the dynamics of Teri's story... Even at the end though she seemed to made peace with everything, she was the only one that lost... She lost her husband, Her Mom, her integrity... Sure forgiveness is peace but i wanted more for her. I don't think she was snooty, i don't even think she's stuck up... i feel that her prowess was due to her strength, and as history shows Women especially black women of strength and vigor tend to be villainized because subconsciously society don't want us as women to qualify our strength. Honestly the person that bothered me was Maxine because she constantly taunted Teri while uplifting everyone else. Teri wasn't stuck up or mean... She was sad... Unfortunately there was no room made for her sadness to be affirmed therefore overcame therefore it becomes resentment. Im so glad Teri is getting the way overdue affirmation... And I'm grateful that we as Woman at this place in evolution has honed our own strength so much that we are able to shine light on topics like this... Look at us!!!
Love the video!! This is sooo true and sad smh. Keep them coming 😊
This why we set boundaries now
I agree with you . I wish you would have went more into the fact that Maxine was jealous of Terri and bird was a follower
Bird was definitely a follower. And super dumb for accepting gifts from her ex.
I disagree about faith. They wanted faith to stay because she was a hurricane. She came in , destroyed everything and than bounced when the clean up needed to take place. Then making her stay was more of them saying " if you family stay and act like it. Dont bounce when sh## hits the fan . They should have given her an ultimatum. Either stay and work this out or don't come back
Yeah, even though in the movie, everyone else had their personal problems, I agree 100% that Terri was wronged too, and not just everyone else... Tbh, you don't even HAVE to be successful and/or rich or at LEAST well-off to know what she's been through. I've had loads of friends who were used and manipulated into doing a good deed and sending their friends money, only to find out that said friend turned out to be fake as crap, and goes as far as to block them, as well as running away with the money that was gifted to them, and my friends aren't even rich, hell, they're nowhere NEAR being well-off, they are struggling just like the rest of us (even more so since pandemic started).
If her husband wasn't interested in being married to her anymore, he COULD'VE just gently discussed a divorce with her, cheating on her just proves that he is a sly and sneaky untrustworthy person...
In conclusion, I don't understand why she was the most wronged especially the fact that her own MOTHER decided it was cute to crack a harsh joke regarding her pain, you would think a parent would PRAISE the child with the most success, even going as far as to pick them as their favorite (Yes, I know that isn't right to do, but sadly it does happen). I feel sorry for her the most...Literally got used by her own flesh and blood, as well as getting cheated on by a man that she cared deeply for...
I looked at a thread that showed that very point. Having watched it as an adult, I'm like "Wow...they did Terri dirty" I'd have moved 10 hours away because they'd be too lazy to come see me
This is something thats common in ALL families no matter the color or background....you gotta stick with family no matter how shitty they treat you ...and that something that's bullshit!
This is a dope video, it's done in the early style of TH-cam. Simple and to the point. I feel like they did kind of ho Teri when she was way more involved than most people in their family's money issues, and getting cheating on, having to eat dinner with the cheater...nah she was a little snobby but, that's not an excuse to shyt on her every chance they got.
Right! They really tried her. & Thanks for the compliment ❤️
She ate dinner with TWO CHEATERS! Kenny cheated on her with Maxine! That's some BULLSHIT!
No i don’t think Teri was the victim, throughout the movie they keep mentioning how Maxine was the “strongest” in the family but actually that role belongs to Teri!!! She was definitely the strongest, she bails everyone out, she takes care of everything, and she get shit done! For example everyone was mad at Teri for calling their jailbird cousin but in Teri’s eyes he looked like he beat her ass, look how he came in that shop! Foh she was being a good sister. And not to mention even though she was mad at her sisters for blind sided her with the cease and desist she still called in a favor to bail bird’s man out. Plus she didn’t have a negative attitude she just told them the truth!!! They were grown ass ppl who made dumbass decisions that fell on her to fix. She didn’t have the luxury to be a screwup or drop everything and just do what she want like everyone else, cuz who else will cover bill??? They never considered her feelings but she always figured it out. No matter how she felt she always came through to help her freeloading family members. So in My eyes she was a boss bitch and the strongest! No victim here!
🥰🥰🥰🥰 🔥 comment
They did make dumb decision especially bird choosing a jailbird for a husband who was dancing with his ex at the wedding reception.
Part of getting older is realizing that Terri was the hero and her family including their Mama wasn’t shit.
100% correct! Found this video looking for a clip where Teri says, “Automatically Teri’s Money”. This is definitely real! Currently my life! Family and friends! 😒😂
Maybe watch attack of Katrina Boondocks episode
Sorry stranger
I've always said that Terri was the victim!
Even Vanessa Williams was frustrated with the Joseph family as actress playing Terri. “F the family” in the kitchen scene from the party was an adlib. 😂😂
I knew she was the victim once it was understood their mother felt Terry was supposed to eat sunday dinner with her sister that ended up marrying her boyfriend who cheated on her with that same sister.Then the husband cheats with ho cousin.Plus she has to pay for everything .She was most likely so damaged by the betrayal she focused on school and work and didnt date for a very long time and when she finally married she couldnt have kids anymore and was too angry and became a complete workaholic.Meanwhile her sister has 2 kids and one on the way with Terrys ex boyfriend.WOW . Maxine always had to have what Terry had and probably was jealous of Terry and Terry is the classy one.Terry is the one to look up to in the eyes of Maxine the MIDDLE child.I think Maxine had middle child syndrome and was just jealous of Terrys....EVERYTHING.
I felt this way about Terri even when I was a child, and as an adult, I grew to relate to her. My family has recently been treating me the same way, expecting me to be the breadwinner and expect me to give them money when they need to borrow from me, and if I refuse, I'm considered selfish and then get guilt-tripped to reconsider my decision if I dared to say no. Not to mention one time, I was considered selfish because I chose to go to work on time over waiting for my cousin to get to his job despite the fact that he started work 30 minutes AFTER me. So yeah. Terri was definitely the victim, no questions asked.
@@waters228_91 wow!! I’m sorry this has been your experience and this is so common and is really sad smh. I pray things are much better for you now 🙏🏾
Despite that her mom preached family & sticking together did their mom not see how her other daughters treated their older sister? I'm sorry but no amount of family & love is going to make me put up with it I would pack up & move if anything happens then the rest of the family will how to pitch in.
Her mom set that up, contrary to popular belief.
I wish you did the Soul Food tv show analyses her relationship with Ahmad expanded and it basically looked like he was following in her footsteps going to a good prep school and his birthday was hosted at her nice home to impress his rich friends from school.
@@thewordsmith5440 you know what’s crazy? Idk but I had no interest in watching the series but now with what you’ve said I’m curious 🧐
Terri was the victim I would have cut ties with my family if they did that to me.
I remember seeing a movie when it first came out. And when I thought about it, I realized it was nothing but a disgrace. The fact that Maxine stole Terri's man, and she was not held accountable, shows it's a horrible example for black people to go by. I've seen people in the projects do a better job of that. This was nothing more then a disgrace to the black community as a whole. We got enough problems, and they try to use this movie for an example of how to have family. Complete garbage. I'm disgusted
I still love this movie but now when I look at it, I now see that most of the characters weren’t crap like Teri, Maxine, Bird, Miles, cousin Faith, and Simuel. The characters that I did relate to was Lem, Kenny, Ahmad, and mother Joe.
Kenny hopping from sister to sister. Nah fam, that's trash. Lem pushing up on his ex AT THE WEDDING and lying about not having a job to his wife? Trash.
Ok then maybe just Ahmad and Mother Joe.
Also when Cousin Faith moved into The House, they should have told her she had to get a Job, earn her keep and it wasn't going to be a permanent residence. Yes they were Family but none of the Sisters live in The House. Also Faith must have also been insanely jealous of Terri's success. As many folks know Chicago, Ill is a mecca for Southern Blacks and probably their ancestors were from either Mississippi or Memphis and to be in a Marriage where both you and your Husband are Lawyers is quite impressive.
The sad part is Terri the show still was the victim. I would have left long time ago.
In my opinion Teri is a complex character it makes the audience feel sorry for her and want her to win such as getting a chance of happiness in life due to her family betraying her as Maxine steal her boyfriend Kenny, Faith slept with her husband Miles, and they constantly kept relaying on her for money for financial issues. She was responsible and independent I give her credit for that and I feel like her family should have gave more recognition and creditability so she can feel loved and appreciated by them but at the same time Teri was arrogant, cocky, and narcissistic.
@Deja Alston I agree with you mostly except for the arrogant, cocky and narcissistic. It all started with Mother Hypocrite Josephine Joseph with the chaperone rule. Also with Maxine who stole Kenny from Teri and Faith who stole Miles from Teri. I despised them for that.
@@wonderwoman5732 When I was a kid I always loathe Teri for her personality of how she always treated Miles and everybody like she's better than them. Certain scenes in the movie definitely represents that. For example- At the hospital scene when Teri told Maxine " I won't let you disrespectful my mama like she's already dead" when she say it I was like " Oooooooh" 😰😱 It was definitely blow out of proportion. Maxine and Faith we're both wrong for betraying Teri but Teri was always like that.
@@dejaalston8672 At least she is not in hot water with the IRS unlike the other family members. Teri is entitled to recognition and thank you.
True.
I think the ultimate point was that EVERYONE in the Joseph family had issues. Remember how the family falls apart after Big Mama's death? Remember how Big Mama refused to take insulin?
She definitely was. The whole damn family used and abused her and they expected her to be happy go lucky
Terri wasn't a victim she was the hero and in fact was next in line to take over the matriarchy. Was big momma a victim because she took care of her family? We never look at it like that because she used love and comfort. Terri just had money but she also had the same love and compassion for her family.
Exactly! I think Maxine knew this and was secretly in competition with her.
Good eye bro
Wow you just broke this down watching this movie I was not aware about all the negatives that was in her life
Is it just me who feels like Terri and faith are exactly like the players club diamond and ebony. Except diamond ain’t let no one walk over her Foreal
No, the relationship between Ebony and Diamond was MUCH better than the relationship between Teri and Faith. Diamond LOVED Ebony, while Teri damn near HATED Faith.
I jusgave like 800 aftering discovering this video. I still have the original VHS for this movie. I was a kid n the 90's when this came out, and we got the VHS tape as soon as the movie was released on VHS. It also came with a cookbook. Sprite Pound Cake 😂
@@terrrell7798 Thank you for your support and wow did it really come with a cookbook?
@@nostalgiatv9365 it really did! We still have it
As a kid i never saw terri as a villain. Didnt know she was being treated like one. I never forgot how she was cheated on twice. That was messed up
@@gokuwrightattorneyatlaw5227 yeah even as a kid I felt Terry was mistreated and done wrong and I feel like nobody made it a big deal that her sister took her boyfriend
Terry was definitely the victim I don't like how the movie trying to make it seem like she was the villain her sister stole her boyfriend and slept with him her cousin slept with her husband people always say she jealous of her sister and she's jealous of people but they say using her and stealing stuff from her so they must be jealous of her they always want what she has they just use her for money and don't care
I’m 16 and I literally just finished watching the movie for the FIRST TIME EVER!!! 😂🤷🏽♂️ And yes ALL THEY DID WAS TAKE FROM TERRI!!!
if you can, check out Sister Sister starring Diahann Carroll, Irene Cara, Kristoff St. John and Rosalind Cash (RIP). Diahann's character carrie is the chief caretaker for her family but she got the short end of the stick. she had to take care of papa the first black judge in alabama, when he got ill she took care of him and also took care of her late in life sister Sistina aka "Sissy". she worked, took care of the house, paid the bills, etc. jr ewing was alot like terri. he was the eldest son who had to take care of business after brother gary left, he worked to make ewing oil the success story it became, got his position the old fashioned way by doing 16 years of work starting in 1962 then little brother bobby who was ten years his jr, got his position as executive on a silver platter. jr made bobby work hard for his and it paid off in dividends, in his will when he "died", he thanked jr for not allowing him to cut corners.
I love that movie!
Terri was snootiest but she did not deserve any of that
This is the issue with a lot of Black families.
Maybe yours, not mine. Or you're trolling.
@@flyguy1827 good for you. But this is the norm.
@@sbrooks729 No it is not
All older siblings know this myself included 🤦♂️
Why was nobody fat or a little overweight it was unreal
It was very unrealistic 🤣🤣🤣
How was it unrealistic? They ate soul food on Sundays not everyday apparently. Big Momma obviously wasn’t slim, she may have ate it more than they did.
Nah you're right Terri was the victim in this not the Villain. Should've told them all to kick rocks!
She was definitely a victim!
Yeaaa they was doin her crazy the whole movie
I Agree Terri was Definitely the VICTIM💯!!!
I think the points you made in this video were *supposed* to jump out at us; the audience simply confused realism with the film's intended perspective.
oh God i remember i used to be told to go to sleep when soul food showed up on tv
@@samanthajennings1878 😂😂😂
They hated and were jealous of Terri because her natural beauty and professional success.
In short, Terri had a good life and had a lot going for her and they hated her for it.
They only "loved" Terri when they need her help as an atm.
Terri wasn't being treated right in the tv series either. She was ordered to pay alimony to her 1st husband, Russell. Even though he gave her every dime back, still😣. She was having panic attacks because she became everything to everyone but herself. 😢 She didn't make partner at her law firm and that reactivated all her inadequacies.
Terry should have cut off our family and not deal with them and I did not like how big mama said you already on husband number two what kind of mother was say that to their child plus everybody is always everybody's business
I wouldn't absolutely love if you @nostalagia would've have kept it coming with your movies highly intelligent well spoken and thought I can tell you did your research and was analyze the characters in this movie perfectly
Poor Terri
Great analysis, Iove your points and narration!
I think in adulthood, you see that Terry was the victim.
@@marryh29 yes I totally agree
Mama Jo (Big Mama) was the actual villain. She enabled her family to financially abuse Terri. She didn’t get her mentally ill brother proper medical care. She allowed that pastor to SA and inappropriately harass her daughters while she sat back and laughed. She didn’t take care of her health and didn’t even leave a will which left her children fighting over her estate and how to pay her debts. KNOWING SHE HAD THAT MONEY STASHED. I have half of mind to believe that wasn’t her money and Uncle Pete was actually saving that but they wrote him off as being crazy and took his money.