Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins Information

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is a 2008 American comedy film written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film features an ensemble cast featuring: Martin Lawrence, Michael Clarke Duncan, Mike Epps, Mo'Nique, Cedric the Entertainer, Louis CK and James Earl Jones.

Plot

Dr. R.J. (Roscoe) Stevens (Martin Lawrence) is a talk show sensation who has shirked his simple Southern past and the awkward boy he used to be to dispense "You can do it" advice to millions of adoring fans. With reality TV series Survivor winner Bianca Kittles (Joy Bryant) on his arm and loads of cash in his pocket (enough to buy his parents a 50" Hi-Def flat panel TV), there's nothing he feels he hasn't achieved.

When his parents request that he come home for their 50th wedding anniversary, R.J. packs up his 10-year-old son Jamaal (Damani Roberts) and his fiancée Bianca and heads back to his sleepy Southern hometown. Ready to impress his down home kin with how much he's changed, RJ will prove he's not the walking disaster they used to pick on. When they arrive in Georgia, he is first greeted by his cousin Reggie (who asks him for $300 to buy some ice for the family barbecue). Roscoe heads to his family's home, greeted by his parents, Roscoe Sr. and Mama Jenkins, his brother Otis (Michael Clarke Duncan), the sheriff, his wife Ruthie (Liz Mikel) and their overgrown kids Junior and Kelly. Next up is Roscoe's sister, Betty (Mo'Nique), who is a little too loud and rowdy. Roscoe's cousin, Clyde (Cedric the Entertainer), visits the family as well, and the two remain competitive as they did years before. Traveling with Clyde is Lucinda (Nicole Ari Parker), Roscoe's love interest from his past.

While staying with his family, Roscoe endures a lot of self-humiliation (such as getting sprayed by a skunk while sleeping). On the day of his parent's anniversary, the whole family gathers for the traditional obstacle course of the Jenkins family. Roscoe is determined to win against Clyde, and the two become even more competitive. While climbing over a wall with ropes, Roscoe begins to help his son over, but Bianca tells him to leave him, and he does (shocking his parents). Roscoe and Clyde race to the finish line, and Roscoe comes out the victor. Bianca cheers for him, but the rest of his family has become very upset with him. Jamaal refuses to go near his father, and Roscoe Sr. chastises his son for his actions. Roscoe tells his father that even though Clyde's father died, he (Roscoe) felt he lost his father as well, because he felt that his father favored Clyde over him. This hurts his father's feelings. As his father walks away, Clyde walks up to Roscoe and tells him that he would never have tried to take his place. He tries to shake Roscoe's hand to make amends, but Bianca tells Clyde to back off. Roscoe decides to leave for home. Before leaving, his mother reminds him that his family still loves him. As they are driving to the airport, Bianca suggests to him that he shouldn't invite his family to their wedding, to which he seemingly agrees. This upsets Jamaal, who, despite that Bianca wanting him to get on board "Team of me", proudly says that he's a Jenkins. Roscoe begins to agree with Bianca, who continues to say mean things about his family. As they pull into the airport, Roscoe dumps Bianca (having pretended to agree with her),and thanks her for finally letting him see her true colors. Bianca angrily gets out of the car, feeling humiliated by Roscoe and Jamaal. As they pull away from the airport, he pulls the rope holding her bags on top of the car, dumping them into the airport driveway. Roscoe and Jamaal, along with Bianca's pet Pomeranian who turned against her owner and joined the Jenkins, head back to the family home.

During the anniversary celebration, Clyde cries during his speech for Mama and Papa Jenkins, admitting that he cared a lot about Roscoe. Roscoe suddenly appears, apologizes to his family, and congratulates his parents' 50th anniversary. Both he and his father make amends with each other, and then Roscoe goes over to Lucinda and asks her for a dance. After the celebration, the family watches the anniversary on a hi-def television, while Roscoe and Lucinda make love with each other,but find a nasty surprise. During the credits, Roscoe is seen interviewing his family on his show, renamed The Roscoe Jenkins Show interviewing the Jenkins clan.

Cast

• Martin Lawrence as Dr. RJ Stevens/Roscoe Steven Jenkins, Jr.: a famous talk show host.
• Joy Bryant as Bianca Kittles: a former Survivor contestant and RJ's fiancee. The main antagonist of the film.
• James Earl Jones as Roscoe Steven "Papa" Jenkins, Sr.: Roscoe's father and patriarch of the Jenkins family.
• Margaret Avery as Mama Jenkins: Roscoe's mother.
• Mike Epps as Reggie Jenkins: Roscoe's cousin
• Mo'Nique as Betty Jenkins: RJ's younger sister
• Cedric the Entertainer as Clyde Stubbs: RJ's wealthy cousin and arch-nemesis. The secondary antagonist.
• Nicole Ari Parker as Lucinda Allen: RJ's childhood crush.
• Michael Clarke Duncan as Otis Jenkins: RJ and Betty's older brother.
• Liz Mikel as Ruthie Jenkins: Otis's Wife.
• Brooke Lyons as Amy: Reggie's girlfriend
• Louis C.K. as Marty: RJ's agent

Production

The movie was filmed in Minden, Louisiana, near Shreveport.

Box office

In its opening weekend at the North American box office, the film grossed $16.2 million USD, opening at #2 behind Fool's Gold.

Critical reception

The film received largely negative reception from critics. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gives a score of 24% based on 78 reviews. Metacritic gives the film an average score of 48%, based on 22 reviews.

Home release

The film was released on DVD June 17, 2008 and in the UK May 30, 2008.