It’s weird. When you think of Eddie Murphy, you think of Donkey, or Axel Foley, or maybe Prince Akeem. You don't usually think of a quiet, jazz-loving cook who reads classic literature in a kitchen in Los Angeles. But that’s exactly what happens in Mr. Church the movie, a 2016 drama that feels like it fell out of a different era of filmmaking entirely.
Honestly, the critics weren't kind to it when it dropped. On Rotten Tomatoes, it sits at a measly 24%. But if you look at the audience score? It’s a staggering 79%. That’s a massive gap. It tells you that while "professional" reviewers were busy looking for gritty realism or social commentary, regular people were busy crying their eyes out over a story about found family and unconditional love.
The film is directed by Bruce Beresford. You might know him from Driving Miss Daisy. He has a specific way of handling sensitive, character-driven stories that some people find "sentimental." I just find it human.
The True Story Behind the Screenplay
What most people don't realize is that Mr. Church the movie isn't just a random script some executive bought at a lunch meeting. It’s deeply personal. Susan McMartin wrote it based on her own life. She actually had a "Mr. Church" in her childhood. His name was Henry Joseph Church.
In the film, a man is hired by a dying man’s former lover to cook for his daughter and his ex-girlfriend for six months. The ex-girlfriend has breast cancer and is only expected to live half a year. But she doesn't die. Not then, anyway. She lives for years. And Henry Church stays.
Imagine that for a second.
A guy takes a job that’s supposed to be a temporary gig and ends up becoming the patriarch of a family that isn't even his. He stays for fifteen years. He raises a girl named Charlie (played by Britt Robertson). He becomes the steady hand in a world that is constantly falling apart. It’s a beautiful, slow-burn narrative that doesn't rely on explosions or massive plot twists. It relies on the sound of a knife hitting a cutting board and the smell of real gravy.
Eddie Murphy Like You’ve Never Seen Him
We need to talk about Eddie Murphy's performance.
For decades, Murphy was the loud guy. The fast talker. The man who could play seven characters in one scene and make you believe all of them. In Mr. Church the movie, he does the opposite. He’s restrained. He’s quiet. He uses his eyes more than his mouth.
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There’s a scene where he’s just standing at the stove, and you can see the weight of his own secrets in the way he holds his shoulders. Henry Church is a man with a private life that he guards fiercely. He doesn't want the family he serves to know where he goes at night. He doesn't want them in his business.
This duality is fascinating. He gives everything to this family—his time, his talent, his love—but he keeps a wall up. It’s a masterclass in subtlety. Murphy actually mentioned in interviews around the film’s release that he was looking for something different, something that didn't require him to be "on." He found it here.
Why the Critics Got It Wrong
I think reviewers in 2016 were looking for a different movie. They wanted a film that tackled the racial dynamics of a Black man serving a white family in the 1960s and 70s with more "edge." They wanted conflict. They wanted a political statement.
But Susan McMartin wasn't trying to write a political manifesto. She was writing a love letter to the man who raised her.
Is the movie "saccharine"? Maybe a little. Does it lean into some tropes? Sure. But does it feel honest? Absolutely. The chemistry between Murphy and Robertson is genuine. You believe that she views him as her soul's anchor.
Sometimes, we just need a movie that reminds us people can be good to each other for no reason other than they chose to be.
The Mystery of Henry Church
One of the most compelling parts of the film is the "night life" of Mr. Church. He spends his days cooking gourmet meals and teaching Charlie about The Count of Monte Cristo. But at night, he heads to a local bar, plays jazz piano, and gets drunk.
He’s a man of contradictions.
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- He’s a gourmet chef who works for a pittance.
- He’s a scholar who never went to university.
- He’s a father figure who has no children of his own.
The film handles his "other" life with a lot of grace. It doesn't judge him for his alcoholism or his temper. It just shows him as a complete human being. He isn't a saint. He’s a guy who found a purpose in a kitchen.
I think that's why the audience score is so high. People recognize that. We all have those figures in our lives who are slightly mysterious but fundamentally solid.
Production Details and the Jazz Soundtrack
The music in Mr. Church the movie is basically its own character. Since Henry Church is a jazz pianist, the soundtrack is filled with soulful, melancholy tracks that perfectly mirror the hazy, sun-drenched vibe of old-school Los Angeles.
Beresford used a cinematographer named Sharone Meir, who gave the film a warm, golden glow. It feels like a memory. If you watch it on a rainy Sunday afternoon, it’s basically the cinematic equivalent of a warm blanket.
Interestingly, the film had a very modest budget. It wasn't a blockbuster. It was a passion project. You can feel that in the sets—the kitchen feels lived-in. The books look used. The clothes aren't "costumes"; they're just what people wore in 1971.
What You Can Learn from Mr. Church
If you actually sit down and watch Mr. Church the movie, you'll realize it’s not really about cooking. It’s about the "six-month" rule.
The doctor gave Charlie’s mom six months to live. She lived six years.
Mr. Church was hired for six months. He stayed for fifteen years.
It’s a lesson in the unpredictability of time. We think we know how much time we have with people, but we don't. We think we know what our roles are in life, but those can change too.
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Basically, the movie teaches us a few things:
- Family isn't always blood. Sometimes it’s the guy who makes you the best omelet in the world when you're sad.
- Privacy is a right. You can love someone deeply without knowing every single one of their demons.
- Consistency is the highest form of love. Showing up every morning to make breakfast is a more powerful statement than any grand gesture.
How to Watch and What to Look For
You can usually find Mr. Church the movie on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime or Peacock, depending on your region.
When you watch it, pay attention to the silence. Notice how much Eddie Murphy says when he isn't saying anything. Look at the way the house changes over the decades. It’s a quiet film, and it demands a quiet mind to enjoy it.
Don't go in expecting Beverly Hills Cop. Go in expecting a story about a girl, her mother, and the man who kept them whole.
Practical Next Steps for Viewers
If the themes of the movie resonated with you, there are a few things you should do to get the full experience:
- Read the background: Look up Susan McMartin’s essays about the real Mr. Church. It adds a whole new layer of emotional weight to the film when you realize Henry Church was a real person who actually left those journals behind.
- Listen to the soundtrack: Search for the jazz tracks featured in the film. They are excellent for background listening while reading or working.
- Explore "Found Family" cinema: If you liked the vibe of this movie, check out The Upside (2017) or Green Book (2018). They deal with similar themes of unlikely friendships and the breaking of social barriers through shared time.
- Revisit Eddie Murphy’s dramatic work: Most people forget he was nominated for an Oscar for Dreamgirls. He has incredible range. Mr. Church is the peak of his "quiet" period.
This movie might not have won Best Picture, but it won a lot of hearts. It’s a reminder that even in a world that feels increasingly cynical, there’s still room for a story about a man, a kitchen, and a promise kept for a lifetime.
Key Takeaway: Mr. Church is a rare film that prioritizes emotional resonance over flashy storytelling. It’s a must-watch for anyone who believes that the people who show up for us define who we become. Take the time to watch it without distractions; the nuance of the performances deserves your full attention.