It’s hard to try and figure out what words to put together in order to accurate describe this latest Martin Lawrence comedy that haven’t been said before. Even talking about Martin himself is a bit of challenge. He had a relatively solid start, appearing briefly in films like Do the Right Thing and the first House Party, before going the way of Eddie Murphy with crap like Black Knight and Rebound. Lawrence was responsible for a few chuckles in the Bad Boys films but that wasn’t a singular effort. It was mostly due to his chemistry with Will Smith.
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is his latest starring vehicle and yet another that drowns any comedic talents he once had with a cliché plot and hollow character arcs. He isn’t the only one to suffer this fate however. The film co-stars the likes of James Earl Jones, Nicole Ari Parker, and Michael Clarke Duncan. Comedians Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps and Mo’Nique round out the cast.
Lawrence plays Roscoe Jenkins, a daytime talk show host-turned-primetime player, who incorporates his “Team of Me” philosophy into all his dealings. It’s a mantra designed to help people forget the past and take charge of your life without the assistance of anyone. Only he does share his life with someone - his new fiancé Bianca and his son Jamaal. Bianca is a recent Survivor winner and cares only about what she can do to progress her career further.
All seems to be perfect to Roscoe and his new life until he learns of his parents 50th anniversary celebration. He hasn’t been back to his home, in Georgia, for over 9 years. So, to celebrate the anniversary and to introduce Bianca to his family, the trio travel back to Georgia for a weekend of family shenanigans.
We learn immediately why Roscoe left his family and never turned back. They are one of those large, loud and obnoxious families, full of stereotypes, who never stop poking fun whenever they can. Proper manners simply don’t exist here (it’s not okay to have a dog in the kitchen but it is perfectly normal to scrub the skin off your feet on the kitchen table). The bombardment of this attention begins the minute he arrives back to their small southern town.
The film was written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee (Roll/Bounce, Undercover Brother), as if he was channeling Tyler Perry by way of Steve Oedekerk. The only thing missing here is that transvestite behemuth Madea. It’s a lighthearted comedy which occasionally erupts into bouts of slapstick violence (most notably when Roscoe and his sister Betty, played by Mo’Nique, engage in a too-long-for-comfort fistfight). It does inspire moments of laughter here and there (especially when Mike Epps is on screen). Just don’t expect to remember it once you leave the theater.
