While a lot of this film might strike the wrong cord or be collar-tugging awkward for some folk, but I laughed often enough and I found the two leads sweet together. The analysis of race was often uncomfortable and maybe a little ham-fisted, but at least they were talking about something.

The flick stars Jonah Hill and Laruen London as a bi-racial (and religious) couple who decide to get married. Of course their parents aren’t so sure. Eddie Murphy (surprisingly reserved) plays her Muslim-convert dad while Julia Louise-Dreyfus plays his Jewish mom. Dad doesn’t approve and mom tries way too hard to connect with her future (black_ daughter-in-law.

I think the biggest ding on this movie will probably be its race relations. No, the film doesn’t solve racism… but it does solve the problems of this one couple in love (and their parents) and that’s ultimately what matters in a rom-com. Yes, it has eyes to the culture at large that might be beyond its scope, but it ultimately settles on solving the more local relationship problems.

I liked Hill and London as a couple… though I often didn’t see what she sees in Hill’s schlub with his gross slick-backed hair and ratty beard. Forget black vs. white or Jewish vs. Muslim… more attractive woman and… hmmm… Jonah Hill’s character (he said politely).

Murphy and Dreyfus have some pretty great cringe-inducing scenes as they try to understand their future son or daughter-in-law. I particularly liked Eddie Murphy playing it simmering cool. And Dreyfus kinda sorta plays her usual flustered awkward but well-meaning self. It’s not so much a stretch for her, but she’s good anyway. David Duchovny plays Hill’s dad in a fun awkward dad way… but he kind of disappears for a lot of the film.

I liked this rom-com as a movie about these two people trying to make it work despite their cringe relatives. On that level it works. I laughed more than I didn’t and I thought the race relation bits were funny and sometimes thought-provoking without ever settling on something as simple as a solution. Or at least just enough of a solution for the happy couple.

Score: 82