Mr. Church

Mr. Church is a 2016 American drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and written by Susan McMartin. The film stars Eddie Murphy as the title character with Britt Robertson, Xavier Samuel, Lucy Fry, Christian Madsen and Natascha McElhone also starring. The movie is based on the short story "The Cook Who Came to Live with Us" written by McMartin. The film centers around a cook who becomes a caretaker and father figure to three generations of women over the years. The film debuted on April 22, 2016, at the Tribeca Film Festival and was released on September 16, 2016, by Cinelou Releasing and Freestyle Releasing. This was Murphy's first film role in four years. Plot In 1971, Charlotte "Charlie" Brooks, age 10, lives with her single mother, Marie Brooks, in Los Angeles, California. One morning, Charlie wakes to the sounds and smells of cooking wafting in from the kitchen. She is shocked to find a strange man, Mr. Church, preparing breakfast. Her mother states he will be their new cook. Charlie is initially distrustful of Mr. Church and urges her mother to fire him. Charlie learns that Mr. Church was hired by Richard Cannon, a wealthy entrepreneur Marie dated until she learned he was married. When Cannon died, he left provisions in his will that provided financial support for Marie, who was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. The provisions were only slated to last for six months, to match her diagnosed life expectancy. When Mr. Church informs Marie that he was guaranteed a lifetime salary to care for the family, she decides to keep Mr. Church on as their cook on the condition that he keeps her cancer a secret from Charlie. Six years later, Marie is still alive and Mr. Church has become a comfortable fixture in the household for both Charlie and her mother. Charlie is now a senior in high school and aware of her mother's cancer. Charlie grows distant from her mother and closer to Mr. Church because of her inability to face Marie's impending death. When Charlie decides not to attend her prom, Marie promises to live long enough if Charlie promises to go. The three take photos as a family and Charlie goes to the prom. Several days later, Mr. Church meets Charlie to deliver the news that her mother has died.