Back in April of 2022, a test-screening for “You People,” which has just released a trailer, took place in California. This movie had not been on my radar at all, but a reader sent me a reaction that was a flat-out rave. They were utterly convinced that it was going to be a major awards player … then, many months later, Netflix dated the film for a late January release. Game over.
“You People” is directed by Kenya Barris, and co-written by himself and Jonah Hill. Barris’ IMDB shows that his only direction credits are “Black-ish” episodes. He did write the 2017 comedy hit “Girls Trip,” and “Coming 2 America.”
The film, which stars Hill, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and David Duchovny, follows a new couple and their families, who find themselves examining modern love and family dynamics amidst clashing cultures, societal expectations and generational differences.
Here’s a snippet of the, now overblown, reaction:
“It's essentially “Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?” updated for the modern age. It's incredibly funny and heartwarming. Eddie Murphy is going to be nominated for an Oscar for this and there will be some definite buzz for Dreyfus as well. This is the type of film that wins TIFF. Netflix has finally found the CODA-like crowd pleaser that they've been waiting for.”
“You People” debuts on Netflix January 27, 2023.