'MR. CHURCH': Three Stars (Out of Five)
The new drama starring Eddie Murphy as a family's cook, that bonds with the young woman he's helping take care of. The movie also stars Britt Robertson and Natascha McElhone. It was directed by Bruce Beresford, who also directed the 1989 Oscar winner 'DRIVING MISS DAISY' (also about a beloved black man helping white people), and it was written by Susan McMartin (who also co-wrote the 1993 Pauly Shore vehicle 'SON IN LAW'). The film has received mostly negative reviews from critics, but Murphy's performance has been mostly praised. I found it to be a mildly enjoyable movie, but it's definitely nothing memorable.
The story begins in the 1970s, when Charlie Brooks (Robertson) is just a young girl (Natalie Coughlin). She lives with her single mother, Marie (McElhone), in a small apartment, and she's surprised to find a strange man, named Henry Joseph Church (Murphy), cooking in their kitchen one morning. Charlie later learns that Mr. Church was hired by her mom's ex-lover, to take care of the two of them (and specifically cook for them). She also later learns that her mother is sick with terminal cancer. Charlie forms a very strong relationship with Mr. Church, that lasts many years after her mother's passing.
The movie is overly sentimental, and quite cheesy at times, but Murphy is great in it. I think the character of Mr. Church could have been a classic character too, in a much better film than this. The movie looks, and feels, like it could have been an Oscar contender, before you actually sit down and watch it. It's a shame because Murphy deserves a much better film than this, to show off his underused talent.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://youtu.be/xGBv2IpDjDc
The new drama starring Eddie Murphy as a family's cook, that bonds with the young woman he's helping take care of. The movie also stars Britt Robertson and Natascha McElhone. It was directed by Bruce Beresford, who also directed the 1989 Oscar winner 'DRIVING MISS DAISY' (also about a beloved black man helping white people), and it was written by Susan McMartin (who also co-wrote the 1993 Pauly Shore vehicle 'SON IN LAW'). The film has received mostly negative reviews from critics, but Murphy's performance has been mostly praised. I found it to be a mildly enjoyable movie, but it's definitely nothing memorable.
The story begins in the 1970s, when Charlie Brooks (Robertson) is just a young girl (Natalie Coughlin). She lives with her single mother, Marie (McElhone), in a small apartment, and she's surprised to find a strange man, named Henry Joseph Church (Murphy), cooking in their kitchen one morning. Charlie later learns that Mr. Church was hired by her mom's ex-lover, to take care of the two of them (and specifically cook for them). She also later learns that her mother is sick with terminal cancer. Charlie forms a very strong relationship with Mr. Church, that lasts many years after her mother's passing.
The movie is overly sentimental, and quite cheesy at times, but Murphy is great in it. I think the character of Mr. Church could have been a classic character too, in a much better film than this. The movie looks, and feels, like it could have been an Oscar contender, before you actually sit down and watch it. It's a shame because Murphy deserves a much better film than this, to show off his underused talent.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://youtu.be/xGBv2IpDjDc