By The Double Feature: Versus crew takes a look at “YOU PEOPLE”
Synopsis
Follows a new couple and their families, who find themselves examining modern love and family dynamics amidst clashing cultures, societal expectations and generational differences.
Blak’s commentary
“You People” is definitely the better of the two films. Directed by hit-or-miss “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris and co-written by Jonah Hill, “You People” is a solid comedy about touchy stereotypes. The most winning factor of the film is the unexpected chemistry between Hill and Eddie Murphy. Murphy, a rarity in his extensive career, plays the militant straight man to Hill’s anxious, Murphy’s Law-prone character. Julia Louis-Dreyfus tries her best to be the foil to Eddie Murphy’s character (particularly in her scenes with Lauren London) but due to uneven chemistry between the two actors, the straight woman/outrageous woman dynamic between the two falls flat. However, Hill and Murphy bounce off each other so well that any faults the film may have – overdone stereotypes, uneven chemistry, overextended jokes – are forgiven with grace. There are also some notable great cameos by Mike Epps and Andrew Schulz. “You People” is indeed a mess of a racial comedy, but at least it’s a funny mess.
3 out of 5
Brad’s commentary
From the mind of Kenya Baris comes to Netflix movie “You People” which follows the couple who come from different races and religions trying to bring their families together. When it comes to “You People” it follows all the cliches you expect from this kind of movie. We are introduced to Ezra (played by Jonah Hill) and Amira (played by Lauren London) who cross paths and fall in love with each other. They then have to somehow convince their parents their love is real, with the parents being either way to into the idea or highly against it. Overall “You People” is par for the course on this style of movie, and doesn’t do anything to break new ground. Where it does come ahead though is when it comes to a comedy duo I never expected to work, “You People” delivers with Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill back and forth. The scenes with these two stand out throughout the entire movie as the best parts and make an otherwise OK movie just a little better. Sadly though even this great pairing can’t bring the movie past its predictable nature.
3.5 / 5
Double Feature: Versus Podcast
Check out Blak and Brad’s full thoughts on YOU PEOPLE as well as OUR FAMILY WEDDING on the latest episode, available to listen to now!
Double Feature VS is a podcast series in which two friends Anthony and Brad step in front of the mic and clash heads, come together, break up, and come together again on the subject of two competing films on each episode. Directorial debut vs Sophomore slump (or success), critically acclaimed vs fan-favorite, original vs sequel, blond vs ginger, ebony vs melanin, etc. The possibilities? Endless. The arguments? Futile. The debates? Epic (also humorous). The combination of audio material, written film reviews and video commentaries (all found on doublefeaturevs.com) are all part of what makes this a great new series for cinephiles, moviegoers, movie lovers and everybody in-between.
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