David E. Talbert comes with a legit pedigree similar to that of Tyler Perry, who has found a profitable niche catering to blacks and churchgoing folk with a mix of comedy and spiritual uplift. "First Sunday," Talbert's maiden feature, will test just how starved for entertainment that audience is, as they are forced to muddle through a near-claustrophobic comedy that manages to be both predictable and preachy. Solid actors in supporting roles offer minor redemption, but pic will need the faithful to turn out in numbers to fill theatrical pews.FWIW, I first noted this film at my blog eleven months ago.
Ice Cube (who doubles as a producer) and Tracy Morgan co-star as a pair of down-on-their-luck buddies who need cash for different reasons: Durell (Cube) risks losing his son if he can't help support his shrewish ex-wife (Regina Hall), while LeeJohn (Morgan) has gotten into trouble with hoods after a failed attempt to make money selling snazzy wheelchairs.
So after stumbling into a run-down church and seeing the collection plate make the rounds, they hatch a not-very-bright idea: Rob the place. But the plan backfires, triggering a protracted hostage situation with several parishioners, the pastor (Chi McBride), his attractive daughter (Malinda Williams), the wisecracking choir director (comic Katt Williams), the slick deacon (Michael Beach) and the former pastor's widow (Loretta Devine). . . .