Movie Description
Whoopi Goldberg stars in KINGDOM COME as matriarch Raynelle Slocumb, whose mean-spirited husband, Ray Bud, unexpectedly falls down dead at the breakfast table in this touching and irreverent comedy based on the play DEARLY DEPARTED by David Dean Bottrell and Jessie Jones. Ray Bud's untimely death forces the dysfunctional Slocumb clan together for a long weekend where family tensions, grievances, and long-suffering silences are aired as they prepare the funeral of their patriarch. An all-star African American cast features L.L. Cool J as Ray Bud Jr., who is put in charge of the funeral despite his struggles to come to terms with unresolved feelings for his father while battling alcoholism and an unhappy marriage with his wife, Lucille (Vivica A. Fox). Bud Jr.'s brother, Junior (Anthony Anderson), is a small-time scheme-spinner who descends on the Slocumb family home in rural Lulu, California with his shrewish wife, Charisse (Jada Pinkett Smith), and their three monstrous children. Bud's sister, Marguerite (Loretta Devine), is a deeply religious bible-thumper whose son, Royce (Darius McCrary)--affectionately called Satan--dreams of starting a family of his own so he can live on welfare. And finally, wealthy cousin, Juanita (Toni Braxton), who competes with Charisse for Junior's affection as the whole family comes together for a wildly vibrant ride orchestrated by a slightly gaseous Reverend (Cedric The Entertainer). Set to a rollicking gospel soundtrack by Kirk Franklin, featuring a title song with Jill Scott, this entertaining combination of humor and family dynamics features a first-rate ensemble cast brimming over with vitality in this self-parody of African American family life.
| Credits | | Producer: | Edward Bates, John Morrissey | | Cast: | Cedric the Entertainer, Jada Pinkett Smith, LL Cool J, Loretta Devine, Toni Braxton, Vivica Fox |
| Details | | Edition: | Premiere Series |
Notes
Theatrical release: April 11, 2001.
Editorial Reviews
"...LL Cool J and Whoopi Goldberg are the pillars for both the other characters and the movie, successfully playing the straight man and the shoulder to cry on, respectively..."
Box Office - Dwayne E. Leslie (05/01/2001)
"...The film's most sober and touching performance belongs to LL Cool J..."
New York Times - Stephen Holden (04/11/2001)
"...[An] intimate ensemble comedy-drama....[LL Cool J] brings dignity and pathos to [his role]..."
Variety - Lael Loewenstein (04/16/2001)
"...LL Cool J impresses as an actor..."
USA Today - Mike Clark (04/11/2001)
"KINGDOM COME is at once uproarious and serious, and it abounds in that combination of warmth and emotion that is summed up in the word soul, a rare quality outside African American movies....A rich pleasure..."
Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas (04/11/2001)
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