MovieMusings In watching this film, I at first wanted to choke on the stereotypical black depictions - the patient quiet matriarch with the belligerent husband; the dysfunctional family with all kinds of problems; the early 20s male with no ambition; the single mothers struggling to make something of their kids without the connections to move them along; the alcohol-related problems; the young people playing adults before they're really ready, pumping out babies etc., etc.Then, I saw through it, and really appreciated an unglamorous "real" family with real-life problems (those issues do exist, whether they are taken on by or inflicted upon people). Whoopie Goldberg plays the straight character this time, while everyone around her is crazy. Her first-born kind of keys in on this quiet strength and reluctantly has to stand up despite his own issues and attempt to bring some semblance of order to the proceedings.MattyMatt4ever's review can provide plenty more insight into why this film works. I can't go so far as to say it's must-see material, but if you are reading these reviews because you were thinking of watching it, then I'd say the negative reviews may mislead you more than the positive reviews - no movie is for everyone, but this film is, in my opinion, much better than the negative reviews might suggest. I quite enjoyed and appreciated it, and would never feel I wasted my money in renting it, or my time in watching it.

OldeSkool (OldeSkool) One of the worst movie's ever and a waste of a talented cast with Devine and Smith being the worst. Their constant yelling and schilling worked on my last nerve. Whoopi acted as if she was embarassed to be in this piece of crap. And the ending was just too neat for my taste. Don't waste your time.

pnauha What a joy to watch a film that showed a white guy like me the true black family - much like mine! Just goes to prove that we're all just plain ol' humans. Loved the witty writing and the understated performances of good actors. This movie just kept on growing on me until I just noticed that it got me. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a hearty laugh and even a couple of tears mixed in between!

compman86 The acting was mediocre, the plot was stupid, and the humor was distasteful. I can't remember laughing ONCE. It's basically a movie about low-lives scrambling around, threatening to kill each other and yell at each other. Most of the movie has nothing to do with the man who died, but rather with the dysfunctional lives of his family. I give this movie a D- and highly recommend to not come within 100 feet of this movie.