It’s going on four years since Eddie Murphy last stepped before the camera for A Thousand Words, but the esteemed actor is ready to end that hiatus with a touching, heartfelt drama.
Entitled Mr. Church, today’s first trailer finds Murphy in the role of the titular Henry Church, a man of many talents who develops a strong bond with a young girl (Britt Robertson) and her dying mother. Said to be inspired by a true friendship, Church’s role in the family extends far beyond that of a surrogate father, and remains a loyal guardian to Robertson’s character as she goes through childhood, adolescence, and eventually pregnancy.
If that reads as a melodramatic, schmaltzy affair, we don’t blame you; making its debut at Tribeca Film Festival earlier in the year, our review found Mr. Church to be largely forgettable, wasting a stellar turn by Eddie Murphy with a lacklustre screenplay. Disappointing, then, but it’ll be interesting to see how the drama fares with audiences next month.
Directed by Brurce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy), Mr. Church is slated to arrive on September 16.
“Mr. Church” tells the story of a unique friendship that develops when a little girl and her dying mother retain the services of a talented cook – Henry Joseph Church. What begins as a six month arrangement instead spans fifteen years, and creates a family bond that lasts forever.
