You People Review

"You People" is a new romantic comedy film that tackles the subject of race relations in an entertaining and thought-provoking manner. Directed by Kenya Barris, the film tells the story of Ezra, a white Jewish podcaster, and Amira, a Black Muslim costume designer, who fall in love and navigate the challenges that come with interracial dating. The film stars Jonah Hill as Ezra, Lauren London as Amira, and features supporting roles from notable actors such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus and David Duchovny. You People was released in only selected cinemas on January 20, 2023, before its streaming release on January 27, 2023, by Netflix. The film received mixed reviews from critics.

Critics Consensus: You People has an outstanding cast and plenty of comedic potentials -- both mostly wasted on a picture that dithers between social commentary and romantic comedy without fully committing to either.

Starring: Jonah Hill, Lauren London, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Directed By: Kenya Barris

One of the standout elements of the film is the casting of Hill and London as the romantic leads. The film takes a refreshing departure from Hollywood's traditional, business-professional WASP romantic leads and instead, offers a diverse and complex portrayal of the two lead characters. Both Hill and London put on excellent performances, showcasing their chemistry and creating a relatable portrayal of a modern-day relationship.

Another noteworthy aspect of the film is the relationship between Ezra and his co-host and best friend Mo, played by Sam Jay. The dynamic between the two characters is a highlight of the film, providing both humour and insight into the complexities of race and culture. The conversations between Ezra and Mo are not only centred around Black art, protest, and politics but also include casual jabs at their respective ethnic backgrounds, highlighting the humour and respect that exists between the two characters.

However, the film does not shy away from tackling the more uncomfortable aspects of race relations. As Ezra and Amira's relationship progresses, their families become more involved, and the film provides a nuanced understanding of the awkwardness that can arise from well-meaning liberal racism. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, in particular, delivers a standout performance as Ezra's mother, who struggles to make Amira comfortable while simultaneously projecting her own insecurities and misunderstandings.

"You People" struggles to strike the balance between comedy and cultural commentary. With a talented cast, the film falls short in delivering humor and doesn't quite deliver on its potential. However, the lead pair's relationship and chemistry bring some genuine moments to the film. Despite a weak script, the film raises some interesting questions regarding relationships, cultural differences and politics, but fails to fully explore them. With an ending that follows a typical formula, the film ultimately fails to leave a lasting impact. If you're looking for a lighthearted romcom with a touch of cultural commentary, You People might provide a few moments of entertainment, but don't expect it to be a standout in the genre.

Reception

Critics had mixed opinions on the film, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it an average rating of 5.2/10, based on 94 reviews. The consensus reads that the film fails to fully commit to being a social commentary or a romantic comedy. On Metacritic, it scored a weighted average of 49 out of 100, with mixed or average reviews.

Pete Hammond of Deadline praised the film as "brilliantly hilarious, pertinent, and wickedly smart." Christian Zilko of Indiewire gave it a B+ and noted that it was more of a feel-good rom-com and love letter to Los Angeles than a biting satire. Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times criticized the film's heavy-handed approach and lack of nuance, despite the talented cast and stylish direction from Kenya Barris. Allisson Josephs of Jew in the City identified traditional antisemitic tropes in the film and claimed that Kenya Barris was a fan of Louis Farrakhan.

During its opening week, "You People" claimed the top spot on Netflix's Top 10 list for English-language content, with a total of 55.65 million hours of streams.

Movie Verdict

"You People" is a smart and entertaining film that tackles complex issues in a fresh and engaging way. With standout performances from its lead actors and a thought-provoking script, the film is a must-watch for fans of romantic comedies and anyone interested in exploring the complexities of race and culture.