Image

11:43 PM / Friday December 6, 2024

26 Oct 2016

Mr. Church: Eddie Murphy Exhibits Acting Range in Purely Dramatic Role

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
October 26, 2016 Category: Entertainment Posted by:

Review by Kam Williams

 

Marie Brody (Natascha McElhone) was told she only had half-a-year to live when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1965. But, not wanting to upset her daughter, she initially hid the fact that she was terminally-ill from 10 year-old Charlotte (Natalie Coughlin).

Marie’s recently-deceased boyfriend did her a big favor by providing in his will for a chef (Eddie Murphy) who’d prepare all of her meals until the day she she died. So, you can imagine Charlie’s shock the day a mysterious black man knocks on the door and announces he’s their new full-time cook.

Initially, Marie balks at the intrusion, given how Mr. Church never bothers to measure his ingredients or use utensils besides a fork and knife while at work in the kitchen. Plus, some of his exotic dishes, like hominy grits, certainly take a little getting used to.

Church nevertheless attempts to ingratiate himself by extending his daily duties beyond the culinary, happily serving as a surrogate father to Charlie and as a home health aide to her mom. Marie gradually warms to the stranger when he whets her thirst for knowledge by bringing over classic books by literary greats like Shakespeare, Thomas Hardy and Edith Wharton. More importantly, Marie proceeds to outlive her doctor’s death sentence, and a term of employment that was supposed to last merely for months stretches into the next decade.

That is the poignant premise of Mr. Church, a bittersweet period piece directed by two-time Oscar-nominee Bruce Beresford (for Tender Mercies and Breaker Morant). The picture’s semi-autobiographical screenplay was inspired by the life of its scriptwriter, Susan McMartin.

The film works to the extent one is able to scale a couple of high hurdles placed in your path. First, you have to buy into the idea of perennial funnyman Eddie Murphy playing a serious role. Second, one must be willing to stomach yet another, stereotypical “Magical Negro” character, meaning a selfless, African-American more concerned with the welfare of a white person than with his or her own needs.

Additionally, a few of the plot developments are a little farfetched. For instance, have you ever heard of anybody saving up enough money to pay for college by clipping coupons? Neither have I.

Overall, a mildly-recommended period piece, provided you’re prepared to take seriously the same Eddie Murphy who kept you in stitches as Buckwheat in that hilarious Saturday Night Live skit. Otay?

 

Good (2 stars)

Rated PG-13 for mature themes

Running time: 105 minutes

Distributor: Lionsgate Home Entertainment

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Leave a Comment

Recent News

Week In Review

White Florida woman sentenced to 25 years in prison for shooting Black neighbor in lengthy dispute

December 1, 2024

Share Tweet Email Defendant Susan Lorincz, who fatally shot a Black neighbor through her front door during...

Sports

Are you not entertained?

November 25, 2024

Share Tweet Email Paced by a historic rushing performance from running back Saquon Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles...

Travel

Five tips to plan a family-friendly winter getaway

November 24, 2024

Share Tweet Email Break from the cold-weather blues with a trip to the beach Family Features If...

Seniors

‘I was constantly stressed out’: My fight with excess cortisol

November 10, 2024

Share Tweet Email BPT For Janice, health and fitness were always priorities. Growing up in Jamaica, she’d...

Health

Three reasons younger Americans have an easier time maintaining healthy habits

November 24, 2024

Share Tweet Email BPT Most parents agree that it’s important for children to establish healthy habits before...

SUNrise

cj speaks…Forever in need of God

December 1, 2024

Share Tweet Email By cj Life is made up of the hopes and extremes of things that...

The Philadelphia Sunday Sun Staff