I Can Do Bad All By Myself is a romantic comedy-drama film adaptation which was released on September 11, 2009. The movie was written and directed by Tyler Perry, and was inspired by Perry's play of the same name. The film centers on a selfish alcoholic named April who raises her sister's three kids and falls in love with a Colombian immigrant who works for her.

Plot

April (Taraji P. Henson), a selfish alcoholic singer, is performing at a nightclub where she works. On the other side of town, Madea (Tyler Perry) and Uncle Joe (Perry) catch Jennifer (Hope Olaide Wilson), Manny (Kwesi Boakye), and Byron (Frederick Siglar) breaking into their house. After hearing the children’s troubles, Madea welcomes them and feeds them. Jennifer tells Madea that they’re living with their Grandmother who they have not seen in four days. They tell Madea that their only other relative is their aunt, April. April shares her home with her shady boyfriend, Randy (Brian J. White), who’s married with children. The next morning, Madea brings the kids to April's house but April doesn’t want to be bothered. Meanwhile, Pastor Brian (Marvin Winans) sends a Colombian immigrant named Sandino (Adam Rodriguez) to her house for work and a place to stay. April puts Sandino in her basement and wants to lock him down there because she doesn't know him that well. While working around the house, Sandino surprises April by cleaning himself up and becoming very handsome. When Randy arrives, he sees April with the kids and Sandino and heckles him while making makes subtle advances at Jennifer.

Shortly after, Pastor Brian and Wilma (Gladys Knight), a church member, comes to inform April that her mother died from a fatal brain aneurysm while riding on a bus. April is devestated by the news and seeks comfort from Randy, however he is sleeping and shruggs off April's attempt to seek comfort. Later Sandino comforts April as she tells him about her mother's death and the last time she spoke with her. Depressed, Jennifer goes to Madea wanting to know how to pray. However, Madea, inexperienced with prayer, attempts to instruct in a scene that plays out comically. The same night, Wilma sings "The Need to Be", an uplifting song for women and Tanya (Mary J. Blige), the nightclub bartender, sings "I Can Do Bad". After singing the song, Tanya is fed up with April's attitude and tries to help her friend despite that she can't help April if she can’t help herself. Over time, Sandino and April become friends and Sandino fixes a ruined bedroom in her house making Manny and Bryon happy except Jennifer who feels April doesn't want them there. While on a date, Sandino tells April he doesn't understand why she is with Randy and askes if she loves Randy. He tells her what true loves is to him. One Sunday morning, Sandino eagerly knocks on April's bedroom door to get April ready for church, but Randy threatens to kill Sandino if he continues to spend time with April.