Eddie Murphy’s last film “A Thousand Words” was panned by critics.
And rightfully so. The actor admitted the project (and others) was pretty much a money grab.
His latest film, “Mr. Church,” is his first in nearly five years. It is inspired by a true story and directed by Bruce Beresford, who also directed “Driving Miss Daisy.”
–That Time Eddie Murphy Called Out the Academy on Stage at the Oscars
Murphy told “The Washington Post” back in October that his days of doing “check movies” are over, and he was drawn to “Church” because of the script.
The film’s movie poster shows Murphy sitting at the piano, alongside the film’s other protagonist, “Charlie.” The movie explores the relationship between Murphy, who plays a cook and caretaker to Charlie’s mother, who is dying of breast cancer.
Murphy reportedly replaced Samuel L. Jackson for the role, which used to be called “Cook.”
–Eddie Murphy, Girlfriend Paige Butcher Expecting Their First Child
“TheWrap” described the film as Murphy fixing “white people’s lives.” David Ehrlich over at “Indiewire” writes about the “uncomfortable Bagger Vance-like aura” surrounding Murphy’s character.
The film debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City this past Friday.
–Eddie Murphy‘s First Joke on Stage in Nearly 30 Years…Was About Bill Cosby
Read more on the film’s plot summary here.