I have mixed emotions about this film. But I'll start with the good. Eddie Murphy. The film was not a comedy, and Murphy wasn't funny. But he did an excellent job in the role.
Unfortunately, I just don't like the story. Don't be fooled by the film's title. You'll barely get to know Henry Church (Eddie Murphy). Charlie (Britt Robertson) gives the best explanation for this in the final scene when she begins typing the novel the film is based on, Mr. Church. Something about her family's legacy being, Mr. Church! And though this just affirmed what I hated most about this film, I at least appreciated the film acknowledging that this was the position they were taking throughout the film.
This film isn't about Mr. Church at all! This film is about Charlie and how she, her mother Marie (Natscha McElhone), and later her daughter Izzy (McKenna Grace) gave their cook Mr. Church a reason to live! I need a moment to roll my eyes. Ugh! I thought the film was about to take a different turn when Charlie kept asking Church for more details about his life and he yelled back that she should respect his right to have his own private life outside of the hours he cared for her and her mother. And with that I was satisfied. Because though it seems certain people like to think their staff are a part of their family, oftentimes their staff have a life of their own. Sorry, their world does not center around you! But apparently that is not the case here.
At one point Charlie says her new baby, Izzy, gave Church a purpose again. Moment for me to give major side eye. Later, she'll say that while caring for Church, who later becomes sick himself (and according to Wikipedia dies of an enlarged heart, but to me his cause of death was unclear in the film), she realizes Church learned all of his many talents while caring for others. When I heard both comments I literally laughed out loud in the theater!! Am I really to believe that this man who is an amazing cook, well-read, and a musician can't find purpose or create a family without caring for this woman and her child?? I'm to believe he made no friends? Not even at the nightclub Charlie saw him at, where it turned out he had been playing piano for free just because it was fulfilling for him?? And then, later in the film, through his drunken rants to himself that he would forget in the morning, Charlie hears him arguing with his father (who based on a childhood picture seems to be a preacher) who apparently kicked him out for being gay. I'm sorry. That still doesn't sell me on this woman and her child being his saving grace by becoming his family based on him serving them. Really??
I have a few other issues with the plot. Why did Church age so quickly after 3 and then 6 years?? Also, am I to believe Church gets a cough that never goes away, and when Charlie convinces him to go to the doctor he is seen by her high school sweetheart, Owen (Xavier Samuel)? What a HUGE coincidence. And then after telling us early on Eddie Larson (Christian Madsen) has to take public transportation for the rest of his life for running into a house and killing a 4-year-old after drinking and driving as a teenager, you later put him in the position where he's the one teaching Charlie how to drive to get her license? Or better yet, even later, you have him happen to be in the same area as Charlie when she's ran over by a skateboarder while pregnant, and despite having alcohol on him having to drive her to the hospital?? But then nothing happened. They made it safe and sound! The man who lost his license for drinking and driving was drinking and driving again to get Charlie and her baby "safely" to the hospital?? O, and I guess the fact that this chance encounter kept him from taking his life that day and led him to join AA where he met his future wife made it all make sense and wrap up nicely. I wish you could see my face!!
I suppose this film, though "inspired by a true friendship," is not supposed to be that realistic anyway. After all, they did the whole repeat what happened in the beginning at the end but in reverse roles thing. I am simply not a fan of this film, but I would be a fan of a sequel with Henry Church telling the story instead of it being told by Charlie. I imagine Mr. Church had a completely different perspective than Charlie! I just can't with this film! Sorry not sorry! #IAintSorry Well I may be a little sorry I paid to see it. Womp, womp!
3/10