Eddie Murphy is back in his first live-action performance since 2012’s A Thousand Words with Mr. Church. Rather than much of his past work, the film is not comedy, but a drama concerning the titular Henry Church (Murphy), a talented cook with a love of jazz who is hired by a dying mother as help for her six year old daughter. While the arrangement is set for six months, it develops into a 15-year journey of friendship and care.
Off a script by Susan McMartin — whose penned episodes of Two and a Half Men and Californiacation —Mr. Church is directed by Brurce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy), making his first feature in five years. The film looks to be a touching, sad story of aging and acceptance with a sweet performance from Murphy. See the trailer below ahead of a release next month.
“Mr. Church” tells the story of a unique friendship that develops when a little girl and her dying mother retain the services of a talented cook – Henry Joseph Church. What begins as a six month arrangement instead spans fifteen years, and creates a family bond that lasts forever.
Mr. Church opens September 16th.