What Is the Story About?
Ezra, a dissatisfied 35 year old man is desperately looking for true love. He would also like to leave his job in finance for his passion- podcasting with Mo, his best friend about “the culture.” He accidentally meets Amira one day, and the duo fall in love. But Amira’s Black Muslim family and Ezra’s Jewish parents aren’t quite acceptable of the alliance. The story follows the interracial couple and how they undergo topsy-turvy situations to get their families reckon with modern love amid culture clashes, societal expectations and generational differences.
Performance?
The entire cast brings the room down with their performances which are largely underused. However, Jonah Hill is amazing with his dialogue delivery and shares immense chemistry with Lauren London (who is exceptional as well) and a stone-faced Eddie Murphy particularly.
Analysis?
You People, directed by Kenya Barris, who caught the world’s attention with his ABC sit-com Black-ish. The expectations are obviously high because of the man helming the film and his incredibly talented star-cast. You People, thereby comes with a lot of weight to when it comes to the humour, politics, writing and direction.
You People‘s premise starts off as a very typical romantic comedy that revolves around an inter-racial couple trying to marry each other with disapproving parents on the other side. This template has been very over-used over the years, but let me tell you.. It is a template that would still work if treated well. But surprisingly and sadly, it doesn’t work in You People.
But You People, just sounds terribly unfunny most of the times. Overly clinging to racial stereotypes, awkward dialogues, exaggerated situations and everything on the surface level right from the podcast episode that Ezra and his black friend Mo hosts. The set-ups look very staged and too dated for a comedy film in 2023.
The actors actually try their best to deliver even when it’s crystal clear that the writing they’re given does them no justice. Nevertheless, You People still manages to entertain with its energy and ridiculousness at times, all thanks to it’s cast playing off their parts well.
One stand-out glitch in the writing is that despite an entire ordeal of dissecting racism amongst white people and calling out Ezra’s problematic mother, the third act resolutions come way too easily. Like every rom-com there ever is, reconciliation comes by quickly and superficially in You People too.
However, if you dig in sit-com approach to films and if you’re looking for a silly dated romantic comedy after a long day at work, You People might work for you. Rest assured, keep your expectations low.
Other Artists?
You People has an incredibly gifted star-cast that makes the film better even when the writing isn’t. Eddie Murphy is spectacular as a grumpy, stone-faced and disapproving father, Nia Long is the cherry on cake as Fatima, Julia Louis Dreyfus convincingly plays that overbearing white parent and David Duchovny also play along well. Not to forget Jonah Hill’s chemistry with Sam Jay. The rest of the cast also gels well with each other even when the writing offers them nothing much.
Music And Other Departments?
For a romantic comedy, Bekon’s music falls short of expectations and template. Mark Doering-Powell’s cinematography also is just adequate. It neither makes nor breaks grounds. The writing however gets disappointing even with Kenya Barris’ fine attempt at direction.
Highlights?
Star Cast
Politics
Some Jokes do land well
Premise
Drawbacks?
Some jokes just don’t land well
An incredible star-cast underused
Duration
Writing
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes. In Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes. But with Huge Recommendations
You People Movie Review by Binged Bureau
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