Written and directed by Malcolm Lee (The Best Man and Undercover Brother), Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is the latest in what seems to be a trend of “positive black movies” coming to the screen. And, just as he’s done in his earlier work, Lee displays his knack for taking a formula and adding his own ingredients to make a flavorful dish.
When the film begins, the audiences is cleverly misled into thinking it’s going to be yet another “small-town country boy turned Hollywood baller” super-success tale. But the storyline illustrates early on that ambition coupled with the perks and pleasures of fame pale in comparison to honor, respect, true love and – most importantly – family.
R.J. Stevens enjoys fame and fortune through his hit daytime T.V. show, a beautiful fiancée and a son who has the best of everything. But, as soon as he steps foot in his childhood home of Dry Springs for his parents 50th wedding anniversary, R.J. Stevens reverts back into the underdog Roscoe Jenkins – who can’t win for losing in life and love.
Before he reinvented himself as R.J., Roscoe lived in the shadow of his older cousin Clyde, and he must follow suit and fall back to the bottom of the food chain during his journey back home. In Dry Springs R.J. Stevens doesn’t exist, so Roscoe must try to carve a place for himself and continue to falter in his lifelong battle with Clyde.
The all-star cast of Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins features St. Louis’ own Cedric The Entertainer and other comedy heavy-hitters Mike Epps, Mo’ Nique and Martin Lawrence as well as actors James Earl Jones, Michael Clarke Duncan, Nicole Ari Parker and Margaret Avery.
As expected the comedians all flex their funny muscles in their respective roles.
Cedric The Entertainer returns to his comedic glory as Roscoe’s nemesis Clyde. He is at the top of his game with regard to his trademark comic relief, flawless timing and physical humor. Mike Epps also uses his one-of-a-kind wit to make the most of the Reggie character.
Martin Lawrence is among the most impressive of the cast members, but not so much for what he does as what he doesn’t do. A less-skilled actor would have attempted to rely on his talent as a comedian and scene-stealer. But Lawrence understates Rocoe/R.J. and plays him for the small fish the character is meant to be.
The entire cast (with the exception of Joi Bryant, who was a bit awkward and mismatched as Roscoe’s fiancée Bianca) pulls together to create a strong and united presence. Despite the big names, evidently the ego trips were checked at the door and everyone worked collectively. Bringing a roster of A-list black movie stand-alones together to create anensemble cast is yet another illustration of Lee’s talent as director.
An antithesis to the traditional fairytales of the ‘hood, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins effectively drives home the point that, despite common misconceptions, fame and fortune do not equate with success and happiness.
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins opens in theatres tomorrow (Friday, February 8). The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 114 minutes.
