Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins

Plot synopsis:
Dr. R.J. (Roscoe) Stevens (Martin Lawrence) is a talk-show sensation who has discarded his simple Southern awkward-boy past and the awkward boy he used to be to dispense motivational advice to millions of adoring fans. With reality TV series Survivor winner, Bianca Kittles (Joy Bryant) on his arm and enough cash in his pocket to easily afford expensive gifts for his parents, he feels like there's nothing he hasn't achieved.
When his parents request that he come home for their 50th wedding anniversary, R.J. packs up his 10-year-old son, Jamaal (Damani Roberts) and his fiancée, Bianca and heads back to his sleepy Southern hometown. Ready to impress his down-home kin with how much he’s changed, R.J. will prove he’s no longer the walking disaster they used to pick on. When they arrive in Georgia, he is first greeted by his pick pocketing cousin, Reggie (Mike Epps), who asks him for $300 to buy ice for the family barbecue. At the family home, Roscoe is greeted by his parents, Roscoe Sr. (James Earl Jones) and Mama Jenkins (Margaret Avery); his brother, Otis (Michael Clarke Duncan), the town sheriff; Otis' wife, Ruthie (Liz Mikel) and their overgrown kids, Junior (Brandin Jenkins) and Callie (Krystal Marea Braud); and Roscoe's loud, rowdy sister, Betty (Mo'Nique). Before long, Roscoe's cousin, Clyde (Cedric the Entertainer) drops in, bringing the old spark of competition with Roscoe, he is also escorting Lucinda (Nicole Ari Parker), a past love interest of Roscoe's.
During the visit, Roscoe endures much self-humiliation such as accidentally hitting his mother in the head with a softball during a softball game, getting beaten up by Otis and Betty after he insults them, constantly getting blackmailed by Reggie, and getting sprayed by a skunk while sleeping. It becomes obvious that he still holds a grudge against his father for how he treated him when he was younger such as showing such preference for Clyde that he wouldn't even fully discipline him. Roscoe Sr. resents his son for changing his name and distancing himself from his family. Meanwhile, Bianca doesn't fit in well with the family and Roscoe and Lucinda get reacquainted.
On the day of the Jenkins' anniversary, the whole family gathers for the traditional Jenkins-family obstacle course. Roscoe is determined to defeat Clyde when he challenges him and the two become even more competitive. As the race begins, Roscoe and Clyde aggressively make their way through the obstacles, sometimes hurting themselves and other contestants. While climbing over a wall with ropes, Roscoe begins to help his son over, but Bianca tells him to leave him and he does, much to his parents' shock. Roscoe and Clyde race to the finish line, and Roscoe wins. As Bianca cheers for him, Roscoe, overjoyed by the victory, begins to berate everyone reminding them that it is all about "the team of me" (him). The family is angry about his actions during the obstacle course, Jamaal refuses to go near his father, and Roscoe Sr. chastises his son. Unable to contain his resentment, Roscoe lashes out at his father, saying that although Clyde's father died, he Roscoe felt he lost his father because he favored Clyde over him and chastises him for always crediting Clyde for things he's done while never acknowledging any of his successes or accomplishments. Stunned and distraught by this admission, Roscoe Sr. walks away; feeling hurt. Clyde walks up to Roscoe and says he never tried to take his place. He tries to shake Roscoe's hand to make amends, but Bianca tells him to back off, and Roscoe decides he, Bianca, and Jamaal should start for home. Before he leaves, his mother reminds him that his family still loves him. As they drive to the airport, Bianca proposes not inviting the family to their wedding. Roscoe seems to agree, which upsets Jamaal and despite Bianca wanting him to get on board the "Team of Me," he proudly declares himself a Jenkins. Bianca continues to say mean things about the Jenkins clan and Roscoe pretends to agree with her, but at the airport, he thanks her for finally letting him see her true colors and then he dumps her. Angrily, feeling humiliated by Roscoe and Jamaal, she gets out of the car. As they pull away from the airport, he pulls the rope holding her bags on top of the car; dumping them into the airport driveway. Roscoe and Jamaal head back to the family home; keeping Bianca's pet Pomeranian Fifi, who had turned against Bianca and joined the Jenkins clan to pursue a relationship with the family's over-aged dog, Bucky (25 in dog years = 175 in human years).
During the anniversary celebration, Clyde cries during his speech for Mama and Papa Jenkins; admitting that he cared a lot about Roscoe. Roscoe suddenly appears, apologizes to his family, and congratulates his parents. He and his father make amends, then Roscoe asks Lucinda to dance. After the celebration, the family watches it on a hi-def television while Roscoe and Lucinda make love—but find a nasty surprise (Bucky and Fifi in his bedroom having had intercourse like before). During the credits, Roscoe is seen interviewing his family on his show, renamed The Roscoe Jenkins Show.

Tags: flashback

Review:
A successful talk show host leaves Los Angeles to reunite with his family in the Deep South.By the end of this movie's trailer, you would've thought "Oh, not again." No, that's what you were thinking.
Also, this movie had some pretty decent jokes, much better than many other comedies released this time who use clichéd and predictable jokes.What I also admired about this movie was the family matter and moral this movie was trying to give out.
Some scenes in the movie just ruin the sweets scenes before it because it felt like the filmmakers just want to make people laugh.Like I said, the characters were memorable.
The jokes were actually funny, the characters memorable, and the moral is very touching for anyone who has a family.
Successful Talk Show Host RJ (Lawrence) is besieged to come back home for his parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary.I was skeptical, I was wary, I wasn't sure, but this time the promos didn't let me down.
Also, the music throughout was perfect.This was without a doubt a cast of characters, and not your usual every day family members and each character member had his or her own shtick and this helped make this a fun movie.
Last year when I saw the trailer for Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins, I wasn't expecting much, I'm not a fan by any means with Martin Lawrence.
When I looked at the rating here on IMDb at the time of it's theatrical release, it was low, I wasn't sure if that's because people just had low expectations or if it really was that bad of a movie.
Well I watched it the other day and honestly Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins is not as bad as I was expecting, I laughed more than a few times.
The script is also semi-insulting with the stereotypes, so I can understand why a lot of people hate this movie, but I think everyone just needs to let go with this film while watching it.
The story is typical but you have to admit there are some good laughs in it.Roscoe Jenkins is a very successful man, he's a host of a new talk show and author of a self help book, everyone loves him pretty much, including his Survivor wanna be star fiancée, Bianca.
But when his son wants to go to his family's big BBQ reunion down in Atlanta, Roscoe decides that it's time for them to meet his new fiancée and life.
But Roscoe sees an old crush with his "brother like" enemy, Clyde, flames spark up again, questioning what Roscoe's true roots are.While Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins is typical, has some interesting cast members, and can be a bit insulting, I still feel like this movie really didn't mean to hurt anyone, just to have fun and deliver a few laughs.
Like I said, just this movie has been done before so many times with the crazy family and you can predict what will happen at the end, but still, I enjoyed this movie and thought it was fun at best.
Just the only thing I didn't get was how the whole family picked on him about his success, I mean, I'd get into his good graces to share some that fun money he must be rolling around in, lol.
But I would recommend this movie, just you have to be open to it and just have fun, I guarantee you'll get a few good laughs.5/10.
African American family values movies have matured into a distinct and popular genre and, Martin Lawrence traverses familiar territory with this awkwardly-titled movie.He plays RJ Stevens, a big city motivational guru who has taken the concept of "self-help" too far, leaving him somewhat estranged from his family in the Deep South.In an inelegant plot device, his parents' 50th anniversary serves as an exploitable marketing opportunity sufficiently enticing to lure him back to his hometown.From there, things unfold fairly formulaicly to RJ's rekindling of his true identity, Roscoe Steven Jenkins.Although Lawrence is the lead around whom the story revolves, it does feel slightly like an ensemble piece.
Everything else was either already shown in the preview (so it was no longer funny) or so stupid that it didn't even deserve a laugh.This film totally lacks creativity and, with the exception of all the gross and tacky sexual references, looks as if it were written by a 4th grader (seriously).
I wasn't necessarily expecting it to be a great movie (I mean, it is supposed to be a comedy), but since Malcolm D.
Lee wrote the Best Man (a very enjoyable film), I thought this movie would at least be worthy of my time and money.
I am sure he'll still make money because many people will go to see it (with false hopes of a comic relief), but for those of you reading this....I'd recommend waiting for the DVD - or better yet, why not just wait for a movie that is actually deserving of your attention.
Margaret Avery, Cedric the Entertainer, Mo'nique and Michael Clarke Duncan are all funny and good at puncturing the bubble of Roscoe's believed importance.
However, being a fan of Martin Lawrence for a long time lead me to watch it.When it started out, it was a bit bumpy, but soon mellowed out to something more.
The cast is great, the jokes are funny, and it just reminds you of a regular family.
Everyone seems to forget that comedies are generally never rated real high, simply because people go in expecting some kind of serious performance..
I did not have high expectations for this film at first and I truly do not know why because I think Martin Lawrence is very talented and funny.
Some of the cast members are great actors of the past--- James Earl Jones, Michael Clarke Duncan, for example.
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins was extremely funny.
All and all this was a great movie and will probably be the best comedy of the year..
The unrestrained (and unnecessary) profanity, explicit sex scenes (with the dogs) and the rude, uncouth and vulgar mouth of Monique (who comes off as just plain ol' trashy) does not do the movie, the actors or the message any justice.Every one of these actors has portrayed highly memorable characters in other works, yet this was a break from good, wholesome fun, into raunchy, loudmouthed, predictable, almost cartoonish antics.
This movie's 15 minutes of redeeming qualities was overshadowed by a constant flow of expletives, sexual innuendos, mockeries of Christianity, and overall bad, perverted behavior not fitting as a positive influence for young people.It was especially disappointing to see an actor of James Earl Jones' caliber in such a trashy movie.If you are looking for a movie experience with more uplifting than negative messages; then, 'Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins' is not for you.
Roscoe Jenkins was a fairly decent movie and as for laughs Mike Epps stole the show.
This movie has a widely all-star cast such as James Earl Jones who play Martin's (Roscoe Jenkins) dad and Margaret Avery his mom,Michael Clarke Duncan his brother,Nicole Parker who Roscoe had a childhood crush on,and Joy Bryant Roscoe's fiancé.
After watching this movie not only speaking for myself I know most people can relate to this film.
This movie teaches you that,it's not only where you come from it's who you are,and you wouldn't know that if it wasn't for family..
One critic said ;"There was no way they could have raised this family." Of course none of us know dysfunctional people who came from gracious loving parents.
Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins is absolutely a harmless and colourful comedy on the surface with pratfalls and family ties scenarios most people with large families will be able to identify with.
It features a bumbling and inept hero who spends most of the time alienated from the rest of his family but has a beautiful wife accompanying him as back up for good measure; it uses animals, in this case the old failsafe that are dogs, as a means of crude humour and it bizarrely assumes the audience will find meek racial jokes as well as overweight people generally funny.I'm sure there's a good film in Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins somewhere, isn't there?
It wants to tell us about the value of families and I'm sure its heart is in the right place but it comes off as an insulting and down right crazy film that, in the process, sets African-American cinema back a few years.The film sees Martin Lawrence take on the title role of Roscoe Jenkins, a successful talk show host in the urban world that is Los Angles, who travels to the rural deep south for a family reunification complete with BBQ and general re-acquaintances.
James Earl Jones must have wondered what the Hell he was thinking when he saw the finished film as he plays nameless 'Papa' Jenkins alongside Margaret Avery who is 'Mama' Jenkins.
The film is a window into another world; a window into another culture that nobody should ever want to experience, a sort of 'one up' on family members turning brotherly love into intense rivalry bordering on hatred for the sake of a few laughs.
The film is the kind that sees its characters talk throughout about how grown up they are and how things have changed and they've changed with them, but for all the 'talk' about maturity and moving on, Roscoe and his relatives certainly act as childish as they possibly can.Another battle in the film is between the slim and attractive city girl Bianca and her binary opposition Betty (Mo'Nique), an obese, loud, egotistical, rural type who comes across as the butt of many-a jokes.
Then there are the jokes revolving around shaven pubic hair and the 'dogs having intercourse gag' card is played three or so times before it's halted.A lot of the humour in the middle is played off these set ups but the reoccurring gag is that Roscoe and Lucinda have finally hit it off after all this time, despite only having seen each other for a few hours for the first time in ages – any fool can see there's nothing going on between them and it's only the sex-driven minds of certain idiot family members that prolong this joke.
Papa Jenkins himself states that Lucinda is 'not a prize to be won' but by the end and by the time we've had the film flip on us, delivering the "No, families are actually a really good thing" lecture, she's already adopted that role – what a shame..
I'm glad I didn't pay (other than cable and time) to see this reverse positive message of what family and relationships should be like.
It wasn't funny to me and Roscoe had every cause to feel dissed by his family except for his mother.
Their was overall good actors in it which put this movie on the mark, I personally don't watch movies twice but Im going to buy it as soon as it comes out on DVD.=]The movie was heart warming and gave you every intention of going home and making your family just like the Jenkins family.
They were funny, dysfunctional, loving, and very southern, everything a good family should be!
If those people commenting that this is "one of Martin Lawrence's best performances", are accurate, I can only thank God that I had the wisdom not to see any of his other movies.
Maybe if you are 10 years old or have the mental capacity of a 10 year old, you will like this movie, but I cannot imagine anyone with half a functioning brain finding this film humorous.The characters are so predictable and stereotyped that they make Amos and Andy look complimentary of the African American race.
did a good job "truly acting" in this movie - even better than the ol pro - j e jones..
"If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance." George Bernard ShawWelcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is not Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, but it will have to do for the graveyard shift between New Year's and Oscars.
Martin Lawrence's Roscoe Jenkins, a TV guru by a different name with a show that crosses between Jerry Springer and Dr. Phil, is a lost soul whose fame leaves him alienated from his family and a stranger to his loving little son.
This movie was better than recent Martin Lawrence films.
The family reunion turns into another contest between RJ and Clyde and Bianca sees she doesn't have much in common with RJ's family.Some of the funny scenes include Bianca saying sweet tea is like liquid diabetes, Bianca's dog with RJ's dog, the skunk, anything cousin Betty did.FINAL VERDICT: Give it a try, Martin Lawrence is funny again..
"Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins" does offer some laughs, but how much and/or whether you find them funny will depend on your comedic tastes and standards.
The misbegotten comedy "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins" features Martin Lawrence as a "Trash-TV" talk show host who, against his better judgment, attends a family get-together commemorating the 50th wedding anniversary of his parents (played by James Earl Jones and Margeret Avery, who are both way too classy for this enterprise).
The movie probably would have been better had it dispensed with the family reunion concept altogether and, instead, focused on satirizing Jenkins' day job.
And without that angle to distinguish the movie from every other run-of-the-mill family comedy of recent vintage, any possible interest the film might have generated dies aborning.Well worth skipping..
A movie I can rate as not just a little, but far superior to comedies with mostly all African-American casts, including all prior formula Martin Lawrence comedies, beauty/barber shops, etc.
It's obvious that welcome home Roscoe Jenkins is very underrated.
A successful self-help L.A. talk show host (Martin Lawrence) is been invited to his parents (James Earl Jones and Margaret Avery) 50th anniversary of marriage.
OK, I am not a big fan of Martin Lawrence or Cedric the Entertainer, but this looked like an interesting diversion for Saturday afternoon, and it did have Nicole Ari Parker (The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love), so what the heck.There is nothing like those family reunions where old rivalries are never settled, and everyone is trying to one-up each other.R.J.
(Martin Lawrence) has always felt like a loser, and his rivalry with Clyde (Cedric the Entertainer) is the focus of his parents (James Earl Jones & Margaret Avery) 50th Anniversary get together.
Even though he is engaged to Bianca (Joy Bryant), he is still in love with Lucinda (Parker), and that complicates matters.There are some great characters in this film to keep the laughs coming.
Bottom line: no football on TV, and with no other good movies on, this was out-loud funny, and I didn't once find myself channel surfing (but I did miss the first 15 minutes).
While I too agree that the character "Roscoe Jenkins" was justified in his position to leave home so that he could arise above the negativity in his family environment, I also feel that the movie showed his final obligation to accept family as they are.No matter how successful we are in our careers nothing can compare to being successful in our family relationships.
This MOVIE was funny beginning to end.
If you went to enjoy a funny movie with a good purpose you probably enjoyed it.
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is exactly what you might expect.
In an attempt to mimic the recent inexplicable success of the Tyler Perry films and TV Series, it's all about African American family getting together and they all have wacky different personalities and enter slapstick comedy, one liners, stereotypes, and sexual jokes.
I mean the film has some good laughs it just doesn't hold your attention very long.
So the film really does rely on the comedic talents of it's star and the physical comedy which does manage to get a few chuckles.Martin Lawrence stars as Roscoe "RJ" Jenkins.
I do like Lawrence, he does always seem to play the same sort of character but he does have great comedic timing and he really is terrific at physical comedy which I love and I have great respect for a comedian who does it right.
Cedric The Entertainer who I also think can be a very funny guy plays Lawrence's rival and cousin.
The real charm in the film is the incredible supporting cast that make up the wild family including the incredible James Earl Jones, Margaret Avery, and Michael Clarke Duncan (who is terrific as Roscoe's older stronger brother.) The two members of the cast who significantly drag this cast down are Mo'Nique as a stereotypical, trashy, sleazy girl who wants nothing more than to have a lot of sex.
You can never go wrong in a movie with crazy Martin Lawrence, crazy Mike Epps, crazy Cedric the Entertainer, fly Nicole Parker and fly Joy Bryant.
Let's not forget James Earl Jones and Margaret "Shug" Avery playing the parents in this movie.
Why wasn't Roscoe's son's mother shown in this movie?
And why was Cedric's character finally touched at the end of the movie?
As for me, I'm on the positive side of things.Let me say from the start that I've pretty much avoided anything with Martin Lawrence, whether it was his television sitcom, or his stand-up, or his movies.
Michael Clarke Duncan was an interesting actor in everything I ever saw him in; a great loss at his early passing.If you watch this film, think about what I've said about how the director and writes balanced comedy, sentimentality, and family drama.
Disgusting, vulgar film that is supposedly dealing with family relations.What Martin Lawrence, who portrays successful talk-show host Roscoe Jenkins, goes home to visit his estranged family after 9 years, all hell breaks loose.Must the stereotyping of a black dysfunctional, vulgar family ensue?