"Dirty Laundry" is a modern-day prodigal son story with a twist. It follows Patrick, a magazine writer, who seems to have the "perfect life" until one day there is a knock at the door. On the other side stands a secret that brings him face to face with the traditional southern family he hasn't seen in more than 10 years.
Mr. Jamal's direction ranges from clumsy to competent. Fortunately, even as Mr. Jamal's characters hit notes reminiscent of a half-baked television pilot, they disclose eccentricities that his cast spins into comic gold.
Overwritten and under-directed by Maurice Jamal, the movie contains several honest moments but remains too awash in clichà (C)s and stereotypes to take seriously.
Is it sidesplitting? No, but it's cute. Is it wonderfully wicked? No, but it's got a few twists and turns. Is it a classic? Probably not, but it's an encouraging move into a new kind of gay film and a story not often told.
By far the best of a plethora of holiday family-reunion films, Maurice Jamal's warmly hilarious Dirty Laundry is particularly blessed with the presence of Loretta Devine
Jamal's comedy of family dysfunction is essentially a sitcom episode writ large; it's not subtle, but it's good-natured and hits its marks with ruthless efficiency.
Even though homophobia may be more of a hurdle in the 'hood than Hollywood, this ensemble's supportive response to Sheldon's revealing his sexual preference proves to be a surprisingly sweet way to close out this well-meaning message movie.
this is one of those weak movies that go straight to dvd and never hit the big screen. perfectly fine for one of those days when you have nothing better to do.
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