Mr. Church

I went to my local theater and saw a poster for Mr. Church, with Eddie Murphy's face as big as day on it. Never even herd of this movie and the lack of campaigning from anywhere was strange for me as I sill feel Murphy has that movie star status, but he chooses to do this very quiet under the radar film, that's totally worth seeing.

It's a story told by Charlotte Brooks, a young girl living with her mother, who had a relationship with a married man and got written into his will, that a cook, played by Murphy would prepare meals for her until she dies, which was supposed to be in six mouths do to breast cancer but ended up being way longer and the experience would create a lifelong friendship for all evolved.

Very heart pulling motion picture about the type of friendships that you make with certain people that make them family.

Eddie Murphy picked real good with this one. He could have some new legs in his career if he plays his cards right. After all, Sam Jackson and Morgan Freeman are not getting any younger, and Hollywood will be looking for someone to take their place.

It's definitely a departure greatly from what you expect from Murphy. Not the adult laughs of Beverly Hills Cop or the family get together of the Nutty Professor. Murphy might be on the poster but he takes the role of supporting Britt Roberson as she tells Charlotte Brooks story, but his performance is not phoned in at all, showcasing the magic that made him a force worth seeing back in the day.

I'm very impress as I did not think I would get an amazing film out of Mr. Church.

Continuing my plan to watch every Eddie Murphy movie in order, I come to his last movie to daye, Mr Church (2016)

Plot In A Paragraph: Mr Church (Murphy) goes to work for single Mom Marie and her daughter Charlotte for 6 months. What develops is a deep bond that lasts for years.

If there was a movie worth coming out of retirement for, this was it. He is superb. I'd rank this up there with Dreamgirls in terms of his performance, he is that good!! Murphy is ably backed up by Natasha McElhone, who is as reliable as always and Britt Robertson is impressive too.

I watched this with my youngest, and we both enjoyed it!! I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried towards the end, if this is the last movie makes, it is a fitting movie to go out on!! He made me laugh with his first movie, and cry with his last.

I admire the fact that he said he would retire at 50, and with the exception of this movie, he has done it. If he comes out of retirement to make a solid movie like this every couple of years, I'd be happy.

Mr Church only received a limited release in theatres, which is a shame.

Normally, I criticize movie previews for either spoiling the story or misrepresenting the genre, but if you watch the preview for Mr. Church, you'll get a pretty good idea of what it's about. You'll see teenager Britt Robinson and her mother, Natascha McElhone living alone in California in the 1960s. You'll see Britt's shocked reaction when she wakes up one morning to find Eddie Murphy, a total stranger, cooking breakfast in the kitchen. You'll find out he was hired to be their cook, and you'll guess that he eventually wins Britt's trust and affection. If you like the preview, you'll like the movie.

I remember reviewers being unduly harsh (as they usually are on Eddie Murphy movies) on this film, claiming it used the "magical Negro" trope and offended audiences. However, their claim held no water. This movie was based on a true story, and was told from the point of view of Britt Robinson's character. She was a teenager, and like most teenagers, didn't really understand or pay attention to other people besides herself. And, the entire point of the story (don't worry, no spoilers) was that she didn't get to know Mr. Church. He was an important fixture in her life, but he didn't let Britt get too close to him. That was the point! It wasn't a cinematic trope.

With those limitations, it would have been easy for the actor portraying Mr. Church to walk through the part without giving him humanity or realism. Eddie Murphy gave a wonderful performance full of layers and subtleties. He fed the audience little tidbits of a mysterious character, making us wonder and guess as to what was really inside him. The more we wondered, the more we cared. He was extremely real - not "magical" without any purpose besides helping out the white protagonist.

There are so many subtleties in this movie, from Eddie's character to his relationship with Natascha, that contrast beautifully with the loud setting of the 1960s and 1970s. Director Bruce Beresford and screenwriter Susan McMartin (who adopted her own true story to the screen) seemed to know exactly what the audience and when they needed it. Laughs, drama, a funky song, and silliness all show up at the right time.

I saw this movie on opening weekend, and it was a treat to see all the details on the big screen. But if you missed this one in the theaters, which unfortunately quite a few people did, rent it on a weekend when you're in the mood for a complex, heartwarming drama.

This film tells the story of a man who is hired for six months to take care of a woman with cancer and her young daughter. His job is to cook for them, yet he goes way beyond his duties and touches the lives of people around him.

"Mr Church" is an ordinary film without special effects and fancy sets. It stays true to the life of an ordinary hard working man, yet his life is so extraordinary in so many ways. He is multi talented, amiable humble and polite all the time. Mr Church is so likable, that in fact he could be a role model for people. The things he does for the family, without ever asking for anything back, is applaudable. It is a celebration of good qualities of an extraordinary man. Let this film earn your heart.

I guess I have come full circle when it comes to Eddie Murphy movies. It was 1984, I was a newly wed and Eddie was a slightly racy movie star, but, perfect for a couples evening at the cinema! And we cried with laughter. I would never have believed that some 30 plus years later I would be watching an Eddie Murphy movie and crying in a different way. This is a fairly simple movie, easy to follow, no special effects, just the type of movie Hollywood used to do so well. I guess there is still hope. Along with Eddie there are a couple of known actors,no spoiler alert - but Eddie has aged very well! Full circle - I watch movies on my own now..