My best takeaway from the film is that it's not only possible, but probably occurs more often than one usually would consider, that a healthy relationship along biracial lines can exist on the order of "Mr. Church". Having mentioned that though, I did find it odd that through all the circumstances that Mr. Church (Eddie Murphy) and the Brooks's were engaged in, no one came across with a snide remark or was derisive in any way. Especially when Charlie (Britt Robertson) wound up living with him during and after her pregnancy. It seemed like pains were taken by the filmmakers to specifically avoid racial situations that could have blown up due to intolerance or simple ignorance.
What bothered me had to do with the intense secrecy that Mr. Church demanded regarding his personal life. The fact of an unhappy childhood due to a father's verbal and physical abuse didn't sound like something that someone like Marie (Natascha McElhone) or Charlie wouldn't have been able to process. In fact, a heart to heart conversation between the parties might have led to an even deeper understanding between them. Mr. Church appeared to be exceptionally well disciplined in matters of personal decorum around the Brooks home, making it that much more unlikely for him to spend two nights a week getting wasted at Jelly's. So that entire dynamic didn't seem credible to me as the story progressed.
As a feel good movie, the movie hits a lot of the right marks and is well recommended for family fare. Yet situations like Charlie's pregnancy and Mr. Church's wild tantrums when people get too close to him negate some of the positive vibe that the picture strives for. It was fascinating however to see a different side to Eddie Murphy's acting range. It wouldn't have hurt though, to see him crack a smile every now and then.
What bothered me had to do with the intense secrecy that Mr. Church demanded regarding his personal life. The fact of an unhappy childhood due to a father's verbal and physical abuse didn't sound like something that someone like Marie (Natascha McElhone) or Charlie wouldn't have been able to process. In fact, a heart to heart conversation between the parties might have led to an even deeper understanding between them. Mr. Church appeared to be exceptionally well disciplined in matters of personal decorum around the Brooks home, making it that much more unlikely for him to spend two nights a week getting wasted at Jelly's. So that entire dynamic didn't seem credible to me as the story progressed.
As a feel good movie, the movie hits a lot of the right marks and is well recommended for family fare. Yet situations like Charlie's pregnancy and Mr. Church's wild tantrums when people get too close to him negate some of the positive vibe that the picture strives for. It was fascinating however to see a different side to Eddie Murphy's acting range. It wouldn't have hurt though, to see him crack a smile every now and then.