Well, the ratings here seem to be split right down the middle. As for me, I'm on the positive side of things.
Let me say from the start that I've pretty much avoided anything with Martin Lawrence, whether it was his television sitcom, or his stand-up, or his movies. Not even sure why I recorded this to watch. But I'm glad I did.
This film does successfully what a lot of films try to do, but flop: it mixed drama, sentiment, and comedy (some of it rather outrageous) together...and it worked.
I have to say that despite my usual annoyance at Martin Lawrence, here he did very well as a famous talk show host who had a not-so-ideal childhood. In fact, for me, it's the first thing I've seen Lawrence in where I really thought he could act. He does fine with the comedy here, but that's a given. But he's quite good with the serious acting here, as well.
I was not impressed with Joy Bryant as Bianca, an over-the-top girlfriend to Lawrence...though in all fairness she was supposed to be over-the-top. I have liked her in other things, including the television show "Rosewood".
James Earl Jones...what can I say. The man -- here as the father -- walks on water. I wasn't as familiar with Margaret Avery as his wife, but she was good.
I have to admit that I am not very familiar with Mike Epps, but I thought he was quite funny here. Mo'Nique less so as Lawrence's sister, Cedric the Entertainer to me is a so-so actor; I kept thinking he was going to have a heart attack here during the obstacle race. Nicole Ari Parker...yum; beautiful and talented; I also enjoy her in "Rosewood". Michael Clarke Duncan was an interesting actor in everything I ever saw him in; a great loss at his early passing.
If you watch this film, think about what I've said about how the director and writes balanced comedy, sentimentality, and family drama. There's more here than sometimes meets the eye.
Let me say from the start that I've pretty much avoided anything with Martin Lawrence, whether it was his television sitcom, or his stand-up, or his movies. Not even sure why I recorded this to watch. But I'm glad I did.
This film does successfully what a lot of films try to do, but flop: it mixed drama, sentiment, and comedy (some of it rather outrageous) together...and it worked.
I have to say that despite my usual annoyance at Martin Lawrence, here he did very well as a famous talk show host who had a not-so-ideal childhood. In fact, for me, it's the first thing I've seen Lawrence in where I really thought he could act. He does fine with the comedy here, but that's a given. But he's quite good with the serious acting here, as well.
I was not impressed with Joy Bryant as Bianca, an over-the-top girlfriend to Lawrence...though in all fairness she was supposed to be over-the-top. I have liked her in other things, including the television show "Rosewood".
James Earl Jones...what can I say. The man -- here as the father -- walks on water. I wasn't as familiar with Margaret Avery as his wife, but she was good.
I have to admit that I am not very familiar with Mike Epps, but I thought he was quite funny here. Mo'Nique less so as Lawrence's sister, Cedric the Entertainer to me is a so-so actor; I kept thinking he was going to have a heart attack here during the obstacle race. Nicole Ari Parker...yum; beautiful and talented; I also enjoy her in "Rosewood". Michael Clarke Duncan was an interesting actor in everything I ever saw him in; a great loss at his early passing.
If you watch this film, think about what I've said about how the director and writes balanced comedy, sentimentality, and family drama. There's more here than sometimes meets the eye.