Film Review – Mr. Church

We know about “Mr. Church” because of Eddie Murphy. He’s the star of the picture, emerging from a brief hiatus from film acting (last appearing in 2012’s “A Thousand Words”) to participate in a low-key melodrama about a tender relationship between a complicated cook and his young charge. While Murphy has played it straight before (in “Dreamgirls” and parts of “Life”), “Mr. Church” demands the star mute his natural charisma and comedic timing, going bloodless to portray a loyal guardian. Without Murphy, the feature probably wouldn’t see the inside of multiplexes, and he’s easily the best part of the effort, with his stoicism actually refreshing while director Bruce Beresford strives to soak the endeavor in syrup, smothering whatever scope and sincerity the screenplay originally possessed. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com