Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is a 2008 American comedy film written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The film also features an ensemble cast featuring: Martin Lawrence, Nicole Ari Parker, Margaret Avery, Michael Clarke Duncan, Mike Epps, Mo'Nique, Cedric the Entertainer, Louis C.K., and James Earl Jones.

Plot
Dr. R.J. “Roscoe” Stevens (Martin Lawrence) is a successful talk-show host, having discarded his awkward Southern roots, and is engaged to Survivor winner Bianca Kittles (Joy Bryant).

Bringing Bianca and his 10-year-old son Jamaal (Damani Roberts) to his sleepy Southern hometown for his parents 50th wedding anniversary, R.J. is determined to prove he is no longer the walking disaster his family used to pick on. In Georgia, he is met by his pick-pocketing cousin Reggie (Mike Epps), and arrives at the family home to greet his parents, Roscoe Sr. (James Earl Jones) and Mama Jenkins (Margaret Avery); his brother Otis (Michael Clarke Duncan), the town sheriff; Otis' wife Ruthie (Liz Mikel) and their overgrown kids, Junior (Brandin Jenkins) and Callie (Krystal Marea Braud); and Roscoe's rowdy sister Betty (Mo'Nique). Roscoe's cousin Clyde (Cedric the Entertainer) drops in, reigniting their past competitiveness, and escorting Lucinda (Nicole Ari Parker), Roscoe’s past love interest.

Roscoe endures much self-humiliation: he accidentally hits his mother in the head with a softball, is beaten up by Otis and Betty after insulting them, faces constantly blackmail by Reggie, and is sprayed by a skunk while sleeping. It becomes obvious that he still holds a grudge against his father for showing Clyde preferential treatment when they were younger, while Roscoe Sr. resents his son for changing his name and distancing himself from his family. Bianca does not fit in well with the Jenkins, and Roscoe and Lucinda get reacquainted.

On the Jenkins' anniversary, the whole family gathers for their traditional obstacle course. Roscoe and Clyde aggressively make their way through, hurting themselves and others. When Roscoe begins to help his son over an obstacle, Bianca tells him to leave Jamaal and he does, to his parents' shock. Roscoe and Clyde race to the finish line, and Roscoe wins. As Bianca cheers, Roscoe berates his family, reminding them that it is all about "the team of me".

The family is angry, Jamaal refuses to go near his father, and Roscoe Sr. reprimands his son for his behavior. Unable to contain his resentment, Roscoe lashes out at his father, saying that although Clyde's father died, Roscoe felt he lost his own father because he always favored Clyde, and chastises him for crediting Clyde’s accomplishments while never acknowledging any of Roscoe’s success. Stunned, Roscoe Sr. realizes he is the reason his son left home and walks off feeling guilty. Now seeing why Roscoe resented him, Clyde tells Roscoe he never tried to take his place, but only wanted to be accepted by the family and sees Roscoe as his brother. He tries to shake Roscoe's hand, but Bianca rebuffs him, and Roscoe leaves with Bianca and Jamaal, but not before his mother reminds him that his family still loves him.

Driving to the airport, Bianca proposes not inviting the family to their wedding. Roscoe seems to agree, upsetting Jamaal, who proudly declares himself a Jenkins. Bianca continues to insult the Jenkins clan and Roscoe pretends to agree with her, but dumps her and her bags at the airport. Roscoe and Jamaal return to the family home with Bianca's Pomeranian Fifi, who had pursued a relationship with the Jenkins’ over-aged dog Bucky.

During the anniversary celebration, Clyde cries during his speech for Mama and Papa Jenkins, admitting how much he cares about Roscoe, who appears, apologizing to his family and congratulating his parents. He and his father make amends, and Roscoe asks Lucinda to dance. After the celebration, the family watches on television as Roscoe and Lucinda make love, surprised to see Bucky and Fifi having intercourse as well. During the credits, Roscoe interviews his family on his show, renamed The Roscoe Jenkins Show.

Cast

 * Martin Lawrence as Dr. RJ Stevens/Roscoe Steven Jenkins, Jr.: a famous talk show host. The main protagonist of the film.
 * Joy Bryant as Bianca Kittles: a former Survivor contestant and R.J.'s fiance. Although she shows a "winning at all costs" to motivate Roscoe Jr., she turns into the main antagonist of the film.
 * James Earl Jones as Roscoe Steven "Papa" Jenkins, Sr.: Roscoe's father and patriarch of the Jenkins family.
 * Margaret Avery as Mama Jenkins: Roscoe's mother and matriarch of the Jenkins family.
 * Mike Epps as Reginald "Reggie" Jenkins: Roscoe's cousin
 * Mo'Nique as Betty Jenkins: RJ's older sister
 * Cedric the Entertainer as Clyde Stubbs: RJ's wealthy cousin and nemesis. He is a minor antagonist and anti-hero of the film.
 * Nicole Ari Parker as Lucinda Allen: RJ's childhood crush.
 * Michael Clarke Duncan as Otis Jenkins: RJ and Betty's older brother.
 * Liz Mikel as Ruthie Jenkins: Otis's wife.
 * Brooke Lyons as Amy: Reggie's girlfriend
 * Louis C.K. as Marty: RJ's agent
 * Affion Crockett as Dayquan

Production
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins was filmed in Shreveport, Louisiana and Minden, Louisiana.

Box office
In its opening weekend at the North American box office, the film grossed $16.2 million USD, opening at #2 behind Fool's Gold.

Reception
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins received negative reviews from critics. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval rating of 22% based on 82 reviews, with an average rating of 4.4/10. The site's consensus reads, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins has moments of comic inspiration – and long stretches of overdone slapstick. On Metacritic, the film has a score of 46 out of 100 based on 26 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Home media
The film was released on DVD June 17, 2008 and in the UK May 30, 2008.