REVIEW: YOU PEOPLE

3/5

Meet The Prejudices. 

118 Mins. Starring: Jonah Hill, Lauren London, David Duchovny, Nia Long, Sam Jay, Molly Gordon, Elliott Gould, Rhea Pearlman, Anthony Anderson, Mike Epps, Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Eddie Murphy. Director: Kenya Barris. 

Kanye West. Kyrie Irving. Former 'College Dropout' and NBA heroes, recently fallen from grace due to sharing anti-Semitic comments and videos online. It doesn't matter if they are one of the greatest rappers and ball players of our generation. Geniuses in their respective fields. Just like comedian Dave Chappelle, who entered this awful group-chat on SNL recently, after shaking off the transphobic controversy of his Netflix special 'The Closer'. In this world where we are as quick to click the cancel button as we are to pick up our phones, should we stop listening to 'Ye's music? Should we retire Irving's jersey to the closet? The important issue here is to stop these type of remarks and racism in their tracks immediately. Whether it's from a close friend, or a dear family member. We can love people all we want. In all their nuances and flaws. But we shouldn't for a second give that same grace to any form of hate. 

So 'You People', which has started streaming on Netflix this weekend, looks like the perfect movie for this moment. And one to use satirical punch to poke fun, point fingers and show just what is at stake in the situation we are all in right now. Especially with some of the biggest names in comedy peddling this point that needs to be made in a mainstream where we are all too quick to forgive the transgressions of those we still want to listen to and see ball. 'Superbad' Jonah Hill ("from 'Moneyball'") is still making those great 'The Wolf Of Wall Street' career-turns. You should check out 'Stutz' on Netflix like you did his reunion with DiCaprio and his Streep scene-stealing turn in the post-apocalyptic 'Don't Look Up', which sadly went out with more of a whimper than a bang. But make sure you like and subscribe. The 'Mid '90s' director falls in love with Lauren London. The amazing 'ATL' actress who has found a big picture worthy of her famous like the city name. The perfect pair make for a charmingly cute couple who in this unmatched age show us love is still alive and thriving and can exist between all people, no matter your background. First task; smashed. 

Dum-dum-da-dum. It's all looking flower girl, white rosy. But then it's time to 'Meet The Parents' like Stiller and De Niro and guess who's coming to dinner? Legends Eddie Murphy and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The 'Raw' comic fresh off Netflix's 'Dolemite Is My Name'. Playing it super-straight in Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan's kufi in a scene as shocking as the Focking 'Parents' (erm) one where Mr. Jinx uses the wrong toilet. And we're not talking about one you shouldn't flush, ashes to dust. Whilst the 'Seinfeld' and 'Veep' great keeps redefining that awkward moment like Elaine dancing. Making the one were our cultural-crossed lovers meet look like a date walk in the park. An underused Nia Long and 'X-Files' legend David Duchovny bring even more to the party, despite playing the background. Grounding this film on a common, even keel. Duchovny scaring us silly like what's out there when be interrupts pimpin' his love for Xzibit with an impromptu rendition of John Legend's 'Ordinary People' on the piano.

Between barbershop and basketball court clichés, cringe-inducing comedy always reveals much more when you finally take your head out of your hands. And 'Black-ish' creator Kenya Barris uses all the tricks of his trade in an embarrassment of superstar riches. Legends like Elliott Gould and Rhea Pearlman (cheers to you). Cameos from classic comics like Anthony Anderson and Mike Epps. But it's a hilarious Molly Gordon (with the best line of the movie when she tells Jonah what he really looks like) and Sam Jay making points on her podcast that start this movie off with a bang! There's enough jabs here to spark after movie debates, which we sorely miss now most of our cinema date walks home have turned into Netflix and chilling with the drool that threatens the integrity of your keyboard as you try in vain to click 'Continue Watching'. 

And this move tries its hardest too. Sometimes way too as such (case in point: a hilarious take on Drake almost goes through his entire discography). But at least someone is. It just suffers from that troubling Netflix blockbuster trend that all the big names in the world can't always translate to something terrific on the small-screen. Reaching that fair and middling swipe-past section as you look for the service's more successful shows. Yet the sentimental schmaltz 'People' gets itself stuck into like sap is with the best intentions we could all use these days. What's wrong with the 'You People' movie? Nothing. But in the world we're in right now, we just need a little more. Alas, at least it starts somewhere. From here on out it's on us, people. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Guess Who's Coming To Dinner', 'Guess Who', 'Meet The Parents'.