Some friendships are found on the playground, and others are forged in the fires of life. The Supremes at Earl’s All You Can Eat focuses on a group of friends who are created by the latter. The movie follows the friendship of three young women Barbara Jean, Odette, and Clarice, who become a friend group in the 1960s and is based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Edward Kelsey Moore.
At the beginning of the movie, Odette and Clarice have already been friends for years, but are forced to take Barbara Jean some food from Odette’s mother after the loss of her mother. Despite hearing bad things about her, once the pair see the situation Barbara Jean is left in, they take her under their wing and help get her to safety and quickly they become a trio.
The three friends go from teenagers with love’s first blush, to women raising their families. While their lives are running parallel and together, they all have their own trials and tribulations along the way. From dealing with love, loss, making major sacrifices for the ones they love and racism, the three friends have each other to lean on when things get rough. But as they get older, will the trials be too much for them to stay together?
The Supremes At Earl’s All You Can Eat takes you through a whole range of emotions, and the friendship between the three women is palpable. It will make you reflect on the close friendships you have now or the ones you have had in the past. It has moments that break your heart and others that make you mad. Truly, it might be best to keep some tissues by you while watching the movie.
One thing the movie doesn’t shy away from is the racism that the trio experiences. While we’d love to say that it would be a product of the time we know that these things are still happening today. The racism is shown on the screen, and even death results from it, there isn’t anything graphic shown. Which, if we’re honest, is probably the right way to depict these hard moments. Audiences know what happened, and we don’t need to see the violence portrayed on the screen over and over again for the entertainment of certain audience members. Does this take away from the powerful moments and pain that they evoke? Not at all. It’s still there, it’s present and can be felt through the acting. Even with out the visual of what exactly happened, the pain is felt enough that it will bring tears to your eyes.
The movie doesn’t exactly say where the movie set, but it’s supposed to be in Plainview, Indiana, according to the book. Which, while the town is in the southwest corner of the state, would be considered North for a lot of people. That isn’t to say that the racism displayed in the movie and assuredly in the story in the book wouldn’t happen there. But when the characters talk about moving North so things are more accepted, they really wouldn’t have much further north to go.
It’s a strong story, and a testament to friendship throughout the years. And beyond that, The Supremes At Earl’s All You Can Eat, is just a good movie to watch. It’s probably one of the movies that should have made its way to theaters in place of several others that have floundered there recently. But instead, it’s streaming on Hulu now, which isn’t a bad thing if you’re a subscriber.
The Supremes At Earl’s All You Can Eat is rated PG13 due to violence, some swearing, and some sexual scenes. And honestly, most younger viewers wouldn’t be interested in this older friend group-style movie. But it’s definitely worth a watch and can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home.
Overall Rating:
About THE SUPREMES AT EARL’S ALL YOU CAN EAT:
(On Hulu) THE SUPREMES AT EARL’S ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT follows a trio of best friends (Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan) known as “The Supremes” who, for decades, has weathered life’s storms together through marriage and children, happiness and blues. Now, as heartbreak and illness stir up the past and threaten to destroy their friendship, Odette, Barbara Jean and Clarice see their bond put to the test as they go through their most challenging times yet.
Starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan, Uzo Aduba, Mekhi Phifer, Julian McMahon, Vondie Curtis-Hall, and Russell Hornsby
Directed by Tina Mabry
(Searchlight Pictures)
Rated PG-13