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Amazon.com Whoopi Goldberg and LL Cool J lead a strong cast in Kingdom Come, one of those the-whole-family-comes-together comedy-dramas that celebrate the transcendent power of love. When the surly patriarch of the family dies, relatives descend upon his widow (Goldberg): his recovering alcoholic son Ray (Cool J) and his wife Lucille (Vivica Fox from Independence Day), who have been unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant; the incompetent other son Junior (Anthony Anderson, Big Momma's House) and his jealous wife Charisse (Jada Pinkett Smith) and their three rambunctious boys; the over-religious sister (Loretta Devine) and her shiftless son; and assorted other eccentric characters who generally turn the reception and funeral into a series of squabbling indignities--the kids even wrap the hearse in toilet paper. The movie's script is modest at best and loaded with forced plot points--to no one's surprise, all problems are resolved in an orgy of forgiveness--but the cast handles the material with sincerity and grace. Goldberg rises to the top as the stoic Mama Rae, lacing her bland lines with a dry and biting wit. Cedric the Entertainer (The Original Kings of Comedy) and singer Toni Braxton round out the cast. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more Reviews (35) 
A comedy about as much fun as a funeral
For a comedy this one feels awfully glum; perhaps this is because it's about a funeral, but one gets the impression that it wasn't intended to be so dry. Whoopi Goldberg plays the matriarch of an extended family whose members turn inside out when their "Mean and Surly" grandfather dies, leaving two sons (LL Cool J, Anthony Anderson) to deal with the problems that have divided them for too many years. Viveca Fox (in a surprisingly disappointing performance) and Jada Pinkett Smith (who tries to be charming but ends up going over the top with her role) play their wives. The film's best moments come from the very funny Loretta Devine as the ultra religious and highly exasperated aunt whose dresses always match her Bible; she comes as close as possible to giving this film some good rhythm. Other than that, the film has no real moments of tenderness, no exposition of character depth, nor much payoff in the end. Considering it is Goldberg's first major role in almost four years, one would hope the writers would have given something meatier to work with.
very enjoyable look at a family
We all have families composed of a great many different
personalities. Some are crazier than others but deep down if we consider
them family we love them. Kingdom Come shows up what happens when they are
all forced to get back together for a tragedy.
Whoopi Goldberg plays the long-suffering matriarch of the family who
watches her mean and nasty husband drop dead at breakfast one morning. Now
her sister and all of their children, except for...well you know...he's
still in jail, are all coming home for the funeral. The rest of the movie
details how they all come together as a bunch of crazy, fighting individuals
and end together as a family.
The story was a little weak. A lot of it was stereotypical but the
acting more than saved it throughout. In fact the performances carried the
movie well over the top in quality. Whoopi played the quiet matriarch
dispensing wisdom as needed. LL Cool J played her oldest son, the
recovering alcoholic, who is struggling with his own fear of death and the
infertility problems he and his wife seem to be having. Anthony Anderson
played the younger son as a dreamer stuck with a hot-headed wife and
multiple kids. Cedric the Entertainer portrays the town preacher as a man
full of advice...and other more shallow problems near the end.
I really enjoyed this one. It mixed drama with comedy from start to
finish and will be a part of my collection.
Funny drama, althogh i didn't get the point of this movie
LL, Jada, Fox and Goldberg are good, not great, but good in this family reunion 'Dramedy' (Drama+Comedy), when a family member dies, the whole family reunite, each with a story to unfold and unfinished business to be taken care of. This movie is ok in my book, had no bad parts and the cast is great, so if you like poignient dramas, it don't get any better than Kingdom Come.
Simply the worst movie ever!!!!
This movie sucks and thats all I can say. What a waste of some precious hours of my life that I can't get back.
I wouldn't even rate it cos 1 star is rather generous.
Kingdom Come... Heaven help us!
What a phsycologically derranged and wild family! I wouldn't be caught dead if this were my family! The hate and tense scenes were out of state and out of mind. I hated Aunt Marguerite the worst! "Yes, you're living proof that life is not a good time!" *Grabs her bible and beats her with it* "That is not how you use the word of God! Not to hit your son, Royce with it! And if you're such a religious and scriptural expert, what did Jesus say about being judgemental?! You're being the overbearing and obnoxious devil yourself, Marguerite!! Whoo! And if Royce doesn't want to take you, HE DOESN'T HAVE TO TAKE YTOU!!!!!!!! LEAVE HIM ALONE. *grabs phone from Marguerite* The arguements with Charisse and Junior were enough to influence anyone to lose their minds if they had bitter feelings or quarrels. Poor Charisse; if she wnated to be alone, why not Delightful leave her be!? What I liked about this film was Ray Bud and Lucille. It seemed they were the only characters making the movie worth while. Along with Reverend Hooker; his flatulence was out of this world! I really liked the song Charisse sang at the funeral; it's a peace filling tune. The ending was wonderful, though; evertyhing was resolved. That's what kept me from limiting this film to two stars.
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