YOU PEOPLE – “Makes for a mixed bag of race relations silliness and cutting social commentary”
RATING
DIRECTOR
Directed by: Kenya Barris
MAIN CAST
• Jonah Hill as Ezra Cohen
• Lauren London as Amira Mohammed
• Eddie Murphy as Akbar Mohammed
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Shelley Cohen
• Nia Long as Fatima Mohammed
• David Duchovny as Arnold Cohen
• Molly Gordon as Liza Cohen
SYNOPSIS
A new couple and their families reckon with modern love amid culture clashes, societal expectations and generational differences.
REVIEW SUMMARY
You People makes for a mixed bag of race relations silliness and cutting social commentary. And while the premise may seem overly familiar, the story has enough teeth to make it more than just a Look Who’s Coming to Dinner knock-off. In fact, the script is, for the most part, smartly written. The dialogue is biting and lands with sheer comedic precision from the cast at hand. And it truly is a stellar cast of comedic talents that have been assembled here. Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill have a really fun odd-ball chemistry, with Murphy absolutely nailing the straight man schtick. Meanwhile, Julia Louis-Dreyfus excels as the well-intentioned, but wildly inappropriate, mother to Hill’s character. Even the always reliable David Duchovny manages to make the most of his limited screen time. Everyone brings it! Unfortunately, it all becomes a bit aggravating as things move along. You see, the razor-sharp energy begins to wane as the jokes start being repeated, and scenarios just seem to duplicate with nothing but a slight change of scenery. In short, it drags – big time. Luckily, the characters are worth rooting for, and therefore worth sticking with. But by the time it ends, the lessons about love and tolerance are all too mild and tame to resonate. But hey, the soundtrack slaps! I’m sure that’s something everyone can agree on!
BOX OFFICE TOP 5
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One of Them Days
$11.6 million
6
Mufasa: The Lion King
$11.5 million