Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins (2008) User Reviews

Going home is no vacation.

[moviewizguy · 6/10 · 23 June 2008]

A successful talk show host leaves Los Angeles to reunite with his family in the Deep South.

By the end of this movie's trailer, you would've thought "Oh, not again." No, that's what you were thinking. Don't deny it. Even I did too. But the trailer is very misleading and I found myself liking this movie more than I was going to. A lot more.

What I loved about this movie were the characters and moral. And yes, I loved those things. Each of the characters are unique and have their own memorable moments. Also, this movie had some pretty decent jokes, much better than many other comedies released this time who use clichéd and predictable jokes.

What I also admired about this movie was the family matter and moral this movie was trying to give out. I found it oddly touching and very sweet. Unfortunately, the other jokes this movie seem to have were also predictable, gross, unfunny, and crude. Some scenes in the movie just ruin the sweets scenes before it because it felt like the filmmakers just want to make people laugh.

Like I said, the characters were memorable. The most notable were James Earl Jones, Nicole Ari Parker, and Mo'Nique. Mo'Nique, I must say, is the funniest character in here, in my opinion. She throws each joke at you and you can't have enough!

Yes, the trailers for this movie were misleading so the movie was actually quite decent. The jokes were actually funny, the characters memorable, and the moral is very touching for anyone who has a family. Sure, it had its bad moments but this is better than most comedies released this year.

It's actually kinda fun

[Smells_Like_Cheese · 5/10 · 26 June 2008]

Last year when I saw the trailer for Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins, I wasn't expecting much, I'm not a fan by any means with Martin Lawrence. When I looked at the rating here on IMDb at the time of it's theatrical release, it was low, I wasn't sure if that's because people just had low expectations or if it really was that bad of a movie. So I decided to wait for the rental. Well I watched it the other day and honestly Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins is not as bad as I was expecting, I laughed more than a few times. I think the problem with it is that we have all seen this film before. The script is also semi-insulting with the stereotypes, so I can understand why a lot of people hate this movie, but I think everyone just needs to let go with this film while watching it. The story is typical but you have to admit there are some good laughs in it.

Roscoe Jenkins is a very successful man, he's a host of a new talk show and author of a self help book, everyone loves him pretty much, including his Survivor wanna be star fiancée, Bianca. But when his son wants to go to his family's big BBQ reunion down in Atlanta, Roscoe decides that it's time for them to meet his new fiancée and life. But what Bianca is not expecting is his crazy family that will just drive them crazy. But Roscoe sees an old crush with his "brother like" enemy, Clyde, flames spark up again, questioning what Roscoe's true roots are.

While Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins is typical, has some interesting cast members, and can be a bit insulting, I still feel like this movie really didn't mean to hurt anyone, just to have fun and deliver a few laughs. Like I said, just this movie has been done before so many times with the crazy family and you can predict what will happen at the end, but still, I enjoyed this movie and thought it was fun at best. Just the only thing I didn't get was how the whole family picked on him about his success, I mean, I'd get into his good graces to share some that fun money he must be rolling around in, lol. But I would recommend this movie, just you have to be open to it and just have fun, I guarantee you'll get a few good laughs.

5/10

Lively and yes, funny

[bob-rutzel-1 · 6/10 · 23 June 2008]

Successful Talk Show Host RJ (Lawrence) is besieged to come back home for his parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary.

I was skeptical, I was wary, I wasn't sure, but this time the promos didn't let me down. This was good. Since the basic theme was a grand family reunion, you know the usual obligatory things will be performed, a softball game, (with other families it may be a touch football game), an obstacle course (okay, this is a new one that I've witnessed, but there you are) and other family things, etc. Nothing new here. But, what keeps this movie fresh is the quick and lively dialogue from all the cast. It didn't feel scripted. It was like eavesdropping on the goings on and the timing, by all, was excellent. And, you know you need good timing when slap-stick comedy is performed. Also, the music throughout was perfect.

This was without a doubt a cast of characters, and not your usual every day family members and each character member had his or her own shtick and this helped make this a fun movie.

Joy Bryant who played Bianca must have gone to the Molly Sims School of Acting because I kept seeing and hearing Ms. Sims whenever Ms Bryant was on screen. Hey, this is a good thing, not a criticism. She was good. Nicole Ari Parker who played Lucinda is absolutely beautiful. I am sure we will see more of these two women in future movies.

It is indeed rare that promos deliver when it comes to comedy, but this time they did. How about that!

Violence: Yes, family fighting stuff, Sex: Yes, Dog Sex: Yes, two go at it. Nudity: No, Language: Yes, some, not much

Exceedinlgy Average

[The_Matrix_Rocks · 5/10 · 27 November 2008]

African American family values movies have matured into a distinct and popular genre and, Martin Lawrence traverses familiar territory with this awkwardly-titled movie.

He plays RJ Stevens, a big city motivational guru who has taken the concept of "self-help" too far, leaving him somewhat estranged from his family in the Deep South.

In an inelegant plot device, his parents' 50th anniversary serves as an exploitable marketing opportunity sufficiently enticing to lure him back to his hometown.

From there, things unfold fairly formulaicly to RJ's rekindling of his true identity, Roscoe Steven Jenkins.

Although Lawrence is the lead around whom the story revolves, it does feel slightly like an ensemble piece. But fortunately the cast is competent and believable, even those fulfilling comic relief roles.

So as an illustration of good ol' hometown values like "always be true to yourself", "the importance of family", and the "power of forgiveness", it's a good choice for family night viewing, if you can find a way around Mo'Nique's apparent inability to avoid the B-word.

A somewhat funny movie

[JimSDCal · 6/10 · 25 January 2009]

Roscoe Jenkins has taken the name "RJ Stevens" and become a self-help guru with a book and talk show based on the premise "the team of me". He heads home accompanies by his self-absorbed fiancée, Bianca, who has the idea that they should record RJ's parent's 50th anniversary celebration.

At home, RJ's family does not treat him as the important semi-celebrity he is in LA but as the child who could never defeat his cousin Clyde in any competition and as the boy still under his parents' dominion at home. Roscoe's relatives played by James Earl Jones. Margaret Avery, Cedric the Entertainer, Mo'nique and Michael Clarke Duncan are all funny and good at puncturing the bubble of Roscoe's believed importance. Eventually Roscoe learns some important lessons about the importance of family and remaining connected to them and becomes the man his father has always wanted him to be. This is a decent, somewhat funny movie so it gets a grade of C+ and a moderate recommendation.

A Big Letdown

[washing1-1 · 2/10 · 9 February 2008]

I was really disappointed in this Movie. I usually only see movies of a more sophisticated, thought provoking quality during its first week in theaters. I was in the mood for some stress relieving comedy and after seeing the trailer, I thought this movie would do the trick. It's almost as if they went through the entire film and pulled out every funny part (believe me, they are just that few) and used them for the preview. I probably laughed only two times during the entire film. Everything else was either already shown in the preview (so it was no longer funny) or so stupid that it didn't even deserve a laugh.

This film totally lacks creativity and, with the exception of all the gross and tacky sexual references, looks as if it were written by a 4th grader (seriously). The only thing truly laughable about this film is the film itself - It's a Big Joke - and The Joke Is On Us!! (the paying viewers). Who did they think their audience would be - Cavemen!? I hate to take it to that extreme, but the script is just that simple.

I wasn't necessarily expecting it to be a great movie (I mean, it is supposed to be a comedy), but since Malcolm D. Lee wrote the Best Man (a very enjoyable film), I thought this movie would at least be worthy of my time and money. Boy, was I wrong. Lee obviously has no real friends, because if he did, they would have told him this project was a load of garbage. I'm still amazed that he was able to secure James Earl Jones' participation in this movie. I am sure he'll still make money because many people will go to see it (with false hopes of a comic relief), but for those of you reading this....I'd recommend waiting for the DVD - or better yet, why not just wait for a movie that is actually deserving of your attention. For those of you who still insist on seeing it anyway, don't say you weren't warned!

Distant relatives

[IrockGswift · 19 February 2008]

Martin Lawrence has tone down a lot in his recent years. He's a lot more humble and mindful during his interviews. I'm started to see him mature(maybe because he's in his 40s) and not playing that same overzealous type he's been cast as. Roscoe Jenkins was a fairly decent movie and as for laughs Mike Epps stole the show. Monique is crazy as ever and Cedric makes a few laughs himself. This movie has a widely all-star cast such as James Earl Jones who play Martin's (Roscoe Jenkins) dad and Margaret Avery his mom,Michael Clarke Duncan his brother,Nicole Parker who Roscoe had a childhood crush on,and Joy Bryant Roscoe's fiancé. After watching this movie not only speaking for myself I know most people can relate to this film. A sibling rivalry,a flirtatious cousin,and a conservative dad. Everyone has a relative that we normally can't see eye to eye,but at the end of the day they are all family. No matter how successful you've become and without family to support your achievements it means nearly nothing. This movie teaches you that,it's not only where you come from it's who you are,and you wouldn't know that if it wasn't for family.

A decent comedy with some chuckles but nothing mind blowing by any means

[Robert_duder · 7/10 · 20 February 2008]

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is exactly what you might expect. In an attempt to mimic the recent inexplicable success of the Tyler Perry films and TV Series, it's all about African American family getting together and they all have wacky different personalities and enter slapstick comedy, one liners, stereotypes, and sexual jokes. That sounds like a bad thing but it turns out a relatively entertaining comedy, if not a little run of the mill. Director and writer of the film Malcolm D. Lee has not had a lot of experience as a big screen director and I think in some ways his inexperience shows through a little. I mean the film has some good laughs it just doesn't hold your attention very long. The characters are just so overblown and there is some sort of messed up moral there somewhere that just doesn't work out very well. It's supposed to be this feel good moment when Roscoe realizes the error of his ways and comes around but it's not as climatic as it could have been. The very weak romance that exists has very little chemistry. So the film really does rely on the comedic talents of it's star and the physical comedy which does manage to get a few chuckles.

Martin Lawrence stars as Roscoe "RJ" Jenkins. I do like Lawrence, he does always seem to play the same sort of character but he does have great comedic timing and he really is terrific at physical comedy which I love and I have great respect for a comedian who does it right. Lawrence is very watchable as Roscoe and definitely carries the film. Joy Bryant plays the high maintenance fiancé to Roscoe, Bianca. She does a good job as well. Her and Lawrence have Zero chemistry and actually look ridiculous together I think. I suppose they aren't supposed to look good together. Still she makes a good villain and someone you'll love to hate. Nicole Ari Parker plays the 'other girl' Roscoe's true love and childhood sweetheart. I hate to say it but Parker is bland and looks like a deer in the headlights. She has almost as little chemistry with Lawrence and she IS supposed to have chemistry with him. She just looks bored or tired or something but doesn't fit the cast. Cedric The Entertainer who I also think can be a very funny guy plays Lawrence's rival and cousin. He is decent but just kind of does his thing and never really makes any significant addition to the cast. The real charm in the film is the incredible supporting cast that make up the wild family including the incredible James Earl Jones, Margaret Avery, and Michael Clarke Duncan (who is terrific as Roscoe's older stronger brother.) The two members of the cast who significantly drag this cast down are Mo'Nique as a stereotypical, trashy, sleazy girl who wants nothing more than to have a lot of sex. Her role is demeaning and as hard as she tries to be funny...she isn't. And Mike Epps who is a decent comedian sometimes and even this role is kind of funny but he gets lost in the bland characterization of his character.

Most will find the film genuinely funny and it is but it won't stick with you. It's not something that will become a classic comedy unless you're a huge Martin Lawrence fan. It certainly doesn't seem to hold the charm, wit, or wacky comedy that Tyler Perry's comedies seem to have although I have yet to see one. Basically as a Saturday night fun flick to rent on DVD you might not be disappointed but it certainly isn't something to rush out and see in the theaters. So far following the amazing year that was 2007, 2008 is doing a lot of average flicks and this one will get lost in the shuffle. 7/10

A depressing and awful mess. What were James Earl Jones and Michael Clarke Duncan THINKING?

[bopdog · 1/10 · 8 February 2008]

I wasn't expecting much with this film. I got even less. I went for a bit of colour and dash, a way to pleasantly while away a couple hours after a rough week at work. However, I can only describe this "movie" as a hideous mess. Some of the cast members are great actors of the past--- James Earl Jones, Michael Clarke Duncan, for example. What were they thinking? Did the script come to their agents written in some foreign language such as Greek or Chinese? And they, therefore, had no idea what awful dreck they had signed on for? Or are those wonderful actors desperate for some dosh?

Clichés and stereotypes are fine--- they can be the fodder for pleasant comedies and more or less worthwhile escapist entertainment. This "film", though, was not escapist, nor was it funny, nor was it pleasant. It was an ugly, dim, depressing and sloppy piece of pooh.

Imagine the makers of a Ben Stiller-type "frustration comedy" movie on Qualudes, and on a 6-year bummer to boot. That's how mean spirited this so-called comedy was. The once-great Eddie Murphy's recent disaster "Norbit" was Oscar material compared to this. Save your money, and your time, and avoid this vapid and downer of a movie. BTW--- if anyone knows Martin Lawrence's address, let me have it, so I can demand my money back.

outwit. outlast. outplay.

[Calicodreamin · 6/10 · 3 September 2021]

Solid Martin Lawrence comedy. Not all the jokes landed, but for the most part it worked. The obstacle course scene was by far the best part, laughed out loud. Acting was decent, storyline predictable, and worth at least one view.

Not worth a plugged nickel!

[mwgrigs · 3/10 · 7 July 2008]

This is a terribly disappointing movie. With such a well-known cast I was expecting something with a great deal more substance. I'll admit that the overall message of depending on family regardless of differences and personalities is a respectable message, however, the means certainly did not justify the end in this case. The unrestrained (and unnecessary) profanity, explicit sex scenes (with the dogs) and the rude, uncouth and vulgar mouth of Monique (who comes off as just plain ol' trashy) does not do the movie, the actors or the message any justice.

Every one of these actors has portrayed highly memorable characters in other works, yet this was a break from good, wholesome fun, into raunchy, loudmouthed, predictable, almost cartoonish antics. The movie was extremely shallow.

Regrettably, this movie does nothing but reinforce negative associations for the black (African-American) community. After all of the struggles put forth by civil rights activists, why would these actors go to such lengths to erode all the good that was accomplished? Seems self-defeating to me.

From the caliber of these actors I expected so much more. Very disappointing.

Expecting too much

[jlittle73091 · 8/10 · 15 October 2008]

Come on people, I think you were expecting too much. It was a comedy and I thought it was very funny. How were the "stereotypes" semi-insulting? I believe half of us have a relationship with someone in our family pretty close to what Roscoe had with his father, and his siblings. We live with it and accept it. Or if we can't accept it, we tell the person, (finally!) how we feel and sometimes we learn because of not communicating that we both looked at things very differently. ("I didn't know you felt that way!)Black people deal with things, especially family issues, with humor. Ease up, not Oscar material, but very funny.

More than sometimes meets the eye

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 1 February 2017]

Well, the ratings here seem to be split right down the middle. As for me, I'm on the positive side of things.

Let me say from the start that I've pretty much avoided anything with Martin Lawrence, whether it was his television sitcom, or his stand-up, or his movies. Not even sure why I recorded this to watch. But I'm glad I did.

This film does successfully what a lot of films try to do, but flop: it mixed drama, sentiment, and comedy (some of it rather outrageous) together...and it worked.

I have to say that despite my usual annoyance at Martin Lawrence, here he did very well as a famous talk show host who had a not-so-ideal childhood. In fact, for me, it's the first thing I've seen Lawrence in where I really thought he could act. He does fine with the comedy here, but that's a given. But he's quite good with the serious acting here, as well.

I was not impressed with Joy Bryant as Bianca, an over-the-top girlfriend to Lawrence...though in all fairness she was supposed to be over-the-top. I have liked her in other things, including the television show "Rosewood".

James Earl Jones...what can I say. The man -- here as the father -- walks on water. I wasn't as familiar with Margaret Avery as his wife, but she was good.

I have to admit that I am not very familiar with Mike Epps, but I thought he was quite funny here. Mo'Nique less so as Lawrence's sister, Cedric the Entertainer to me is a so-so actor; I kept thinking he was going to have a heart attack here during the obstacle race. Nicole Ari Parker...yum; beautiful and talented; I also enjoy her in "Rosewood". Michael Clarke Duncan was an interesting actor in everything I ever saw him in; a great loss at his early passing.

If you watch this film, think about what I've said about how the director and writes balanced comedy, sentimentality, and family drama. There's more here than sometimes meets the eye.

Should have been rated R

[mon0208 · 1/10 · 10 February 2008]

How 'Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins' received a PG13 rating is unbelievable. An R rating is more appropriate. This movie's 15 minutes of redeeming qualities was overshadowed by a constant flow of expletives, sexual innuendos, mockeries of Christianity, and overall bad, perverted behavior not fitting as a positive influence for young people.

It was especially disappointing to see an actor of James Earl Jones' caliber in such a trashy movie.

If you are looking for a movie experience with more uplifting than negative messages; then, 'Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins' is not for you. Save your money for another trip to the movies.

Not At All What I Expected

[pearsonc1 · 1/10 · 18 February 2008]

I don't care what color anyone is, this was the most horrible movie I've ever seen. The previews tell one thing but the movie tells another. Just plain trash. Language out the wazoo, sex scenes even though no details were shown. What parent would take their children to see this? Shame on you. And shame on the MPAA for rating this a PG-13. Should have been R. The language turned me off from the beginning. Every foul word was used, s-word, gd-word, f-word, you name it. Just pure trash! Not wholesome, family-oriented at all. We waisted our money and will never see another Martin Lawrence movie again. For those parents who took their children to see this movie, you ought to be thrown in jail for mental and social abuse.

Y'all better strap yourselves in 'cause this here is going to be funny.

[lastliberal · 6/10 · 31 January 2009]

OK, I am not a big fan of Martin Lawrence or Cedric the Entertainer, but this looked like an interesting diversion for Saturday afternoon, and it did have Nicole Ari Parker (The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love), so what the heck.

There is nothing like those family reunions where old rivalries are never settled, and everyone is trying to one-up each other.

R.J. (Martin Lawrence) has always felt like a loser, and his rivalry with Clyde (Cedric the Entertainer) is the focus of his parents (James Earl Jones & Margaret Avery) 50th Anniversary get together. Even though he is engaged to Bianca (Joy Bryant), he is still in love with Lucinda (Parker), and that complicates matters.

There are some great characters in this film to keep the laughs coming. Yes, I know that many of the laughs are tired stereotypes, but they are real. Michael Clarke Duncan, Mike Epps, and Mo'Nique really make this film.

The fact that it stretched it's PG-13 rating to the limits didn't hurt.

Welcome Home...R.J. Skip the Invite *1/2

[edwagreen · 2/10 · 3 January 2010]

Disgusting, vulgar film that is supposedly dealing with family relations.

What Martin Lawrence, who portrays successful talk-show host Roscoe Jenkins, goes home to visit his estranged family after 9 years, all hell breaks loose.

Must the stereotyping of a black dysfunctional, vulgar family ensue? They are boisterous and Monique, who plays the fat sister Bette, is outright vulgar in the part. She fights like a boxer and her yelling of "get off of me," reminds me of my days as a middle school teacher, when fights broke out in the hallway among students. Monique had better calm down this year as talk continues that she may be vying for a best supporting actress nomination for her vulgar mother role in "Precious."

As far as this film, we are constantly subjected to fighting, screaming and even seeing Roscoe's poodle having intercourse with an old family dog.

It takes this trip for Roscoe to realize the true meaning of family. Do we have to see all the nonsense ensuing? He realizes that his girlfriend is a phony and that his son is yearning for family cohesiveness.

Nice to see Margaret Avery, Shug in 1985's "The Color Purple," in this film. She adds some dignity to an absolutely classless film. James Earl Jones does have his presence felt as the patriarch of the family.

Some life in the graveyard

[JohnDeSando · 12 February 2008]

"If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance." George Bernard Shaw

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is not Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, but it will have to do for the graveyard shift between New Year's and Oscars. Martin Lawrence's Roscoe Jenkins, a TV guru by a different name with a show that crosses between Jerry Springer and Dr. Phil, is a lost soul whose fame leaves him alienated from his family and a stranger to his loving little son. Sounds like Jenkins needs his own show to cleanse him of his sins, so going home to Georgia becomes the extension of his show as family beats him up so bad he'd be safer in the arms of one of his show's more brutal confrontations.

Laughs are a part of this midlin' spoof of black family traditions and language. It's just that the comedy comes in between some decidedly flat sequences and too familiar stock characters (such as the overweight, oversexed sister-—a low-rent Queen Latifah-- the shiftless brother with the silver tongue, and the beefy car dealer with issues to match his girth). The nadir of the film is depicting a very large dog making it with a miniature female dog, and essentially repeating the bit. Otherwise the ethnic jokes are often fun and not without their own lessons about the importance of family and authenticity.

In a season when First Sunday, the melted Ice Cube comedy, failed to score anywhere on the Tyler Perry excellence index, it's a treat to be sitting with a community of color to enjoy a few politically-incorrect jokes at all our expenses.

Fun film

[Horror_Flick_Fanatic · 6/10 · 7 September 2021]

Fun film. Some very funny scenes, others not so much. Mixed bag.

a better effort from Martin Lawrence

[MLDinTN · 5/10 · 25 January 2009]

This movie was better than recent Martin Lawrence films. It actually had humor that was funny in places. Lawrence plays a TV talk show host whom is engaged to a Survivor winner, Biancca. Bianca has turned him into a vegan and believes winning is everything. RJ goes home to a family reunion bringing Bianca and his son. He has a large, tough talking cousin, another cousin, Reggie, whom is not trustworthy, but his main rival is cousin Clyde. Clyde always won in everything until the family obstacle course and RJ finally beat him, but Clyde reneged on their bet. RJ's dad favors Clyde. Also, there is Lucinda a girl that both RJ and Clyde liked growing up. The family reunion turns into another contest between RJ and Clyde and Bianca sees she doesn't have much in common with RJ's family.

Some of the funny scenes include Bianca saying sweet tea is like liquid diabetes, Bianca's dog with RJ's dog, the skunk, anything cousin Betty did.

FINAL VERDICT: Give it a try, Martin Lawrence is funny again.

Pretty funny stuff!

[bsilverbush-2 · 7/10 · 13 April 2009]

Well, normally, I won't watch anything with an IMDb rating of less than 6.0. I was watching cable yesterday, and saw this had already started, unaware of the 4.5 rating it earned on IMDb. And you know what? The movie was pretty damn funny. Having grown up in a big family, and moving away...I'm not sure, maybe it's the similarity of background with Roscoe. But there are some funny bits, good repartee, and just an enjoyable flick. Certainly as good, if not better than ML's other work (exception: BB 2). James Earl Jones, Michael Duncan, Cedrick, Vanessa, I mean that these are entertaining people (granted, no Oscars here, but what did you expect?). Bottom line: no football on TV, and with no other good movies on, this was out-loud funny, and I didn't once find myself channel surfing (but I did miss the first 15 minutes). Enjoy!

Welcome Home, stay home and don't ever come out again - that's to the director and all involved.

[johnnyboyz · 3/10 · 11 November 2008]

I don't think I've ever seen a film as mis-leading nor as much as one thing on the surface but something horribly, horribly different underneath. Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins is absolutely a harmless and colourful comedy on the surface with pratfalls and family ties scenarios most people with large families will be able to identify with. It features a bumbling and inept hero who spends most of the time alienated from the rest of his family but has a beautiful wife accompanying him as back up for good measure; it uses animals, in this case the old failsafe that are dogs, as a means of crude humour and it bizarrely assumes the audience will find meek racial jokes as well as overweight people generally funny.

I'm sure there's a good film in Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins somewhere, isn't there? Meet the Parents and its sequel Meet The Fockers are recent examples of films playing on certain fears we all may have to face one day; the meeting of the family of the 'one' you have met. I guess the hook with Meet the Fockers is that the tables were turned somewhat on those antagonistic in the first film. But Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins seems to aim high although land well short. It wants to tell us about the value of families and I'm sure its heart is in the right place but it comes off as an insulting and down right crazy film that, in the process, sets African-American cinema back a few years.

The film sees Martin Lawrence take on the title role of Roscoe Jenkins, a successful talk show host in the urban world that is Los Angles, who travels to the rural deep south for a family reunification complete with BBQ and general re-acquaintances. The film is Meet the Parents-lite complete with roles reversed, with the lead as a successful and boyish character rather than a male nurse who's nobody. Twinned with this is the fact the lead has the benefit of already knowing his family rather than entering the fray as a complete stranger, something Roscoe's partner Bianca Kittles (Bryant) whose claim to fame is winning a reality TV show, must deal with. However, there is never really any focus on Bianca and what material there is falls totally flat – removing her from the film might not have actually made too much difference.

But this is a large family, with a range of different persons and personalities. James Earl Jones must have wondered what the Hell he was thinking when he saw the finished film as he plays nameless 'Papa' Jenkins alongside Margaret Avery who is 'Mama' Jenkins. The serious manner in which James Earl Jones plays the father of Roscoe and co. makes me wonder whether he was entirely sure this was supposed to be a comedy or if he's just not cut out for the genre, period. Roscoe's primary source for antagonism, however, is from that of cousin Clyde Stubb played by someone called Cedric the Entertainer – a smart move to use a pseudonym after being in this junk to disguise your name, thus eliminating the risk of not getting any more acting roles. The rivalry exists due to the protagonist's prior tragedy in life: the fact he is always beaten by cousin Clyde and that the one time he did emerge victorious, Clyde immediately shot him back down thanks to an incident with a girl Roscoe once liked.

This girl is Lucinda (Parker) and she is now married to Clyde creating awkward tension whenever Roscoe is around. Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins is a familiarly set up film bursting full of potential jokes to do with returning to one's roots now that so much has changed, unfortunately the film is a disaster. The film is a window into another world; a window into another culture that nobody should ever want to experience, a sort of 'one up' on family members turning brotherly love into intense rivalry bordering on hatred for the sake of a few laughs. The film is the kind that sees its characters talk throughout about how grown up they are and how things have changed and they've changed with them, but for all the 'talk' about maturity and moving on, Roscoe and his relatives certainly act as childish as they possibly can.

Another battle in the film is between the slim and attractive city girl Bianca and her binary opposition Betty (Mo'Nique), an obese, loud, egotistical, rural type who comes across as the butt of many-a jokes. The film is full of sexist visual gags, one of such is to do with a female practising Yoga as a male character has a good look at what's on offer but it's demeaning more than it is slightly worthy of a smile. Then there are the jokes revolving around shaven pubic hair and the 'dogs having intercourse gag' card is played three or so times before it's halted.

A lot of the humour in the middle is played off these set ups but the reoccurring gag is that Roscoe and Lucinda have finally hit it off after all this time, despite only having seen each other for a few hours for the first time in ages – any fool can see there's nothing going on between them and it's only the sex-driven minds of certain idiot family members that prolong this joke. The film builds to a finale that reeks of a grudge match/revenge narrative but in a should-be feel good comedy, falls well flat. Papa Jenkins himself states that Lucinda is 'not a prize to be won' but by the end and by the time we've had the film flip on us, delivering the "No, families are actually a really good thing" lecture, she's already adopted that role – what a shame.

Another perspective?

[laaad · 8/10 · 15 February 2008]

I read a lot of other comments and just wanted to offer a different perspective. Many of us have family members that are almost as embarrassing as some of those depicted in the film. While I too agree that the character "Roscoe Jenkins" was justified in his position to leave home so that he could arise above the negativity in his family environment, I also feel that the movie showed his final obligation to accept family as they are.

No matter how successful we are in our careers nothing can compare to being successful in our family relationships. In the end Roscoe and his dad realized the value of having each other and they respected each other's position for the first time.

Let's face it. When we all checkout of this life it's only family that matters. People don't normally wish for more money or fame on their dying bed. However they may regret that they didn't make the extra effort to accept family just as they are (whether you agree with them or not).

Just like the comedians that make us laugh when they share their pain, so do many laugh at movies like this because they see their own family represented to some extent. In real-life it's hard to laugh at. On film it is amazingly ridiculously funny. Just another perspective....

a very fun film

[LetsReviewThat26 · 7/10 · 19 April 2024]

Theres always something about theres esemble family together comedy films that just work and this one is up there with some of the funniest. Martin lawrence plays Rj a host of his own show that goes back home for this parents 50th anniversary along with son jamaal and his pretty uptight and annoying fiance bianca. We might one of my favourite characters in the town. Rjs cousin reggie, played by the funny mike eeps his especially good with his manarism's and overall his just pretty good. The rest of his family are played well and all the cast brought something well to them. Overall this film does not have any dull moments and its just a pretty great film.

Why bother (to go home or watch this movie)

[bigkahones51 · 3/10 · 9 December 2011]

I'm glad I didn't pay (other than cable and time) to see this reverse positive message of what family and relationships should be like. It wasn't funny to me and Roscoe had every cause to feel dissed by his family except for his mother. Yet they had no valid reason to mistreat /pick on him. Yet the message is that no matter how 'dissed' one is by his relatives one is supposed to accept it/ them. b--- s---. I know Martin Lawrence makes vehicles like this (simple, low-class humor) but this was insulting to a person with sense. It's hard to write the required ten lines (per IMDb) just so this can be posted yet I think it merits I do so to register my low opinion of this movie.