Seeing the Tyler Perry stamp on a movie tends to prompt certain expectations, many of which aren’t especially flattering. But say what you will, Perry has firmly established himself within the industry as an actor, writer, director, and producer. And I’ll give him credit, he certainly doesn’t let bad reviews or criticisms slow him down. He’s still pumping out entertainment and making a lot of money in the process.

His latest feature is “The Six Triple Eight”, a historical World War II drama about the all-black and all-female 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Perry writes and directs the film which is interesting considering nothing in his filmography indicates he would be the person to tackle this kind of project. As it turns out, this feels like Perry’s best work to date though it’s not without its faults.

“The Six Triple Eight” is based on an article in WWII History magazine called “Fighting a Two-Front War” by Kevin M. Hymel. Perry begins the story in 1943 as a small-town African-American girl named Lena Derriecott King (Ebony Obsidian) falls for a persistent Jewish boy named Abram (Gregg Sulkin). After some schmaltzy courting, Abram reveals he has joined the Army and is about to be deployed. He gives Lena a promise ring and asks her to wait for him to return. He promises to write her, but his letters never come.

Lena’s life forever changes when she gets word that Abram has been killed in action. Shattered, she decides to join the army herself, against the wishes of her concerned family. She’s sent to Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia where she immediately runs into the numerous barriers facing military women, even more for women of color. Before heading into active duty with the Women’s Army Corps, Lena and her unit are put through basic training under the tough but inspiring Major Charity Adams (Kerry Washington).

In addition to Lena, Perry adds several other characters to the unit. Most struggle to get any firm identity other than the outspoken and crass Johnny Mae (Shanice Shantay). The young women form a tight-knit bond which is strengthened by the adversity they face. That adversity is seen clearest in the skeptical and dismissive General Halt (Dean Morris) who refuses to give them a meaningful assignment. But things change after Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt step in (Sam Waterston and Susan Sarandon in glorified cameos).

The 6888th finally get called to duty but not in the way they expect. They’re tasked with sorting through tens of thousands of letters that have been collecting in a warehouse for ten months. They’re letters written between soldiers and their loved ones back home that have yet to be delivered. At first the ladies see their task as meaningless, as do the men who assigned it to them. But they quickly start to see the importance, especially when they find a letter written from Abram to Lena.

It takes some time for “The Six Triple Eight” to find its rhythm, but once it does Perry surprises by how effectively he captures the heart of the story. Meanwhile the performances do what’s needed with only Washington and Obsidian standing out despite some shaky dialogue. The movie also looks good with a lot of detail put into the period-accurate costumes and production design. It helps add a true-to-life texture the movie needs.

Yet “The Six Triple Eight” still feels like a small part of a much richer story. It’s as if Perry is merely scratching the surface of the inspirational true account. It’s even more true with the characters who we barely get to know beyond their immediate circumstances. These issues keep the movie from resonating as strongly as it could have. But Perry deserves credit for putting this moving real story to the screen even if it doesn’t get the full attention it deserves.

VERDICT – 3 STARS