THE SUPREMES at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat REVIEW

THE SUPREMES at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat

supreme

adjective

1. highest in rank or authority; paramount; sovereign; chief.

2. of the highest quality, degree, character, importance

After watching Tina Mabry’s “The Supremes,” I can unequivocally say that the movie lived up to its name. Based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Edward Kelsey Moore, the film grabbed me from the beginning with the beautiful and creative opening scene wherein Aunjanue L. Ellis-Taylor, who masterfully portrays Odette Henry, narrates her entrance into the world. “I was born in a Sycamore tree.” We learn that her mother, who was nearing her tenth month of pregnancy, was told by a witch to sit in a Sycamore tree so that she could finally give birth to Odette, and that’s where Odette was born. The film goes on to chronicle the births of Odette’s future best friends, Barbara Jean, beautifully played by Sanaa Lathan and Clarice Baker, superbly played by Uzo Aduba. They too, had unconventional births.

Fate would have it that the three women are brought together when Barbara Jean’s mother dies. Odette's mother orders Odette and Clarice to go to Barbara Jean’s house to express their condolences with a box of homemade chicken, only to find Barbara Jean alone with what appears to be a predator. Odette senses trouble and ends up challenging the man to a fistfight. He backs down and the women bring Barbara Jean to Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat restaurant, a local eatery and safe haven not only for Barbara Jean, but the other women as well. Tony Winters, a talented and seasoned actor, who has graced the silver screen in recent films like “National Champions“ and who has appeared in countless episodic shows, like “CSI:Vegas” and “Your Honor,” brilliantly brings the character Earl to life as well as the film’s title when he announces through a megawatt smile upon the trio’s arrival that they remind him of the Supremes. Earl and his colorful wife, Minnie, deliciously played by Donna Biscoe, let Barbara Jean move in with them.

The film goes on to follow the three women as they trudge a rocky road to an adulthood fraught with triumphs, tragedy, and tears. Unexpected jaw-dropping twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat, but it’s the chemistry between the trio and their unrelenting love that keeps them from going over the edge. The writing is lyrical and beautiful and the directing is second to none. It’s no wonder the aforementioned iconic actors, along with other veteran thespians, Julian McMahon, Russell Hornsby, Mekhi Phifer, Vondie Curtis-Hall, and Tati Gabrielle were able to give award-worthy performances. The cinematography is breathtaking and the sets and wardrobe are authentic to the various time periods depicted in the film.

If you enjoyed “Soul Food” and “Waiting to Exhale,” you’ll enjoy this film. In my humble opinion, It’s their baby. The film is currently streaming on Hulu.