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Premise: A son leaves home and becomes a success. Heading back for his parents' wedding anniversary, sibling rivalries as well as new and old skeletons lead to comedy and life lessons.
Stars: Cedric the Entertainer * Martin Lawrence * James Earl Jones * Michael Clarke Duncan * Michael Epps * Mo'Nique
Story: Roscoe Jenkins (Lawrence) has left home and become a successful talk show host and author of a self-help book. After seven years, he's heading back home for his parents' wedding anniversary with a new fiancee and a son from a previous marriage.
He harbors a competitive streak with his cousin Clyde (Cedric) and resents his family - his brothers (Duncan and Epps) and sister (Mo'Nique) - as he feels that Clyde replaced him in everyone's hearts, especially his father (Jones). His return home is to prove to everyone that he's become successful and didn't need any of them. He's even taken to calling himself RJ Stevens, changing his name. His fiancee Bianca (Joy Bryant) is also very competitive, pushing the two of them into conflicts with his siblings and Clyde, culminating in him losing face in front of everyone as even his own son becomes embarassed by him.
There's also a story of an unrequited love that haunts RJ - he wanted to date Lucinda, but Clyde reneged on a bet and stole that date and his love.
Eventually there is an epiphany and a resolution to all of the recriminations and struggles and the family comes together.
Review: A funny film, but one that doesn't really surprise. There's nothing here but a paint-by-the-numbers collection of performances by all involved. It will make you laugh occasionally, but it's easily predictable.
Overall: Mediocre
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