Dirty Laundry (2007)
Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins
Theatrical Release: Dec 7, 2007 Limited
Synopsis: CHAPPELLE'S SHOW favorite Maurice Jamal directs and stars in this comedy about a gay man (Rockmond Dunbar, PRISON BREAK) who returns home to his southern family after a long absence. Loretta Devine and Jenifer Lewis costar. CHAPPELLE'S SHOW favorite Maurice Jamal directs and stars in this comedy about a gay man (Rockmond Dunbar, PRISON BREAK) who returns home to his southern family after a long absence. Loretta Devine and Jenifer Lewis costar. [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: Rockmond Dunbar, Loretta Devine, Jenifer Lewis, Terri J. Vaughn, Sommore
Screenwriter: Maurice Jamal
Producer: Andre Lee, ReShaun Frear, Rockmond Dunbar
Composer: Earl Wooten
DVD Info
Release:
Feb 12, 2008
DVD Features:
- Keep Case
- Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
- Subtitles - English, French, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Deleted Scenes
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Stills/Photos
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
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.
The tone is good-natured enough to make a simple movie semi-watchable.
Looking for plot holes? You can't miss them. But if you go in hoping for a good time, you'll find that, too.
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.
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.
Overwritten and under-directed by Maurice Jamal, the movie contains several honest moments but remains too awash in clichés and stereotypes to take seriously.
The film's plea for tolerance is commendable but would have more weight if only it were executed with more panache.
Visually dull, without an ounce of cinematic purpose, pic will work most effectively on the small screen.


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