First Sunday (film)

''First Sunday'' is a 2008 American crime comedy film written, produced and directed by David E. Talbert. Starring Ice Cube (who also produced), Katt Williams and Tracy Morgan, the film follows a pair of criminal friends who plan on robbing a local church. The film reunited Cube, Williams, Rickey Smiley, and Clifton Powell all of whom starred in the film ''Friday After Next'' six years prior.

Released theatrically by Sony Pictures on January 11, 2008, ''First Sunday'' received generally negative reviews and grossed $38 million worldwide.

Plot

Two best friends, Durell Washington (Ice Cube) and LeeJohn Jackson (Tracy Morgan) are bumbling petty criminals in Baltimore.
They have actually started working at a repair shop and Durrell impresses the owner with his skill with technology. However, LeeJohn ruins this by trying to steal a television. Durell attempts to stop him but when the owner walks in, he falls under the impression that they are carrying out the TV, getting them fired again.
They struggle to find another stable job due to their records. Durell's ex, Omunique (Regina Hall), is also threatening to move to Atlanta with their son, Durell Jr., unless she gets help to pay her lease on her hair salon. Desperate for money, Durell and LeeJohn agree to sell wheelchairs provided by con man Blahka ( Paul Campbell), but they lose them in a police chase.

Sentenced to 5,000 hours of community service, Durell and LeeJohn are threatened by Blahka to pay him $12,000 within 1 day or he will kill them.
Durell, however, does not care about Blakha and for a while, ignores LeeJohn, declaring himself done with criminal acts, though he eventually gives in and speaks to him when he keeps annoying him.
After a failed business deal with Mordecai, a massage parlor owner, LeeJohn comes up with a desperate scheme to rob the local church. Durell reluctantly agrees.

They enter the church's office and find several church members, including Pastor Arthur MItchell (Chi McBride), his daughter Tianna (Malinda Williams), and the choir, led by Ricky (Katt Williams), and the Deacon (Michael Beach), the latter of whom the rest are arguing with about possibly moving the church elsewhere due to low funds. Durell announces that he is taking them hostage. After the church members scoff at Durell's insistence, he fires a gun into the air to get their attention. However, the money has already been stolen. Enraged, Durell and LeeJohn hold them hostage until the money turns up. Durell interrogates everyone about the money's whereabouts.

The police pass by, and Durell orders Ricky to talk to the police and assure them the situation is okay. The church is hot and Durell goes to fix the broken air conditioner, while LeeJohn watches over the hostages. To LeeJohn's bewilderment, sister Doris begins cooking for everyone, using the church kitchen. She gives him a plate, and fondly remembers how her husband loved her cooking on his birthday. He expresses his sadness at never having had a birthday, and is comforted by her.

Tianna warms to Durell and questions his motives, until they finally get the air-conditioning going. Durell then orders everyone back to the lobby. The blind, deaf janitor finds the missing money. Durell receives a phone call from his son, which he is ashamed to answer. Momma T (Olivia Cole) then asks for Durell's purpose for the robbery. Durell claims that he is doing it for his son. Momma T rejects this, saying Durell is doing it for himself, and is blaming everyone but the person responsible.

Leejohn and Durell give up the robbery, dropping the money. Unfortunately, cops have surrounded the church. Pastor Mitchell tells them to escape out the back, but they are caught in a chase. At their trial, which the entire church attends, the Deacon says they have been accused of stealing $64,000. But the amount of money he claims was almost stolen was twice the amount the Deacon said was collected. putting the Deacon at question. The case is dismissed after no one stands when witnesses are called. Durell goes back to Omunique's apartment, where he faces Blahka and his goons.

After explaining his situation, they allow Durell to go and get his son. Omunique opens the door, yelling at Durell, asking him where the money came from. The church money was left at her doorstep and Durell tells her it was a gift. He begs her not to take his son away. She responds they will stay. Durell is closer to his ex-wife and son, while LeeJohn remains close to Doris and Timothy. The remaining money is used to restore the community and the church sets up a block party to celebrate.

Cast

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 12% based on 76 reviews, with an average rating of 3.80/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "''First Sunday'' may have its heart in the right place, but its funny bone is dislocated." Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 41 out of 100, based on 21 reviews, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. Audiences polled by CinemaScore on the opening weekend, gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.

Box office

The film opened at #2 at the box office, behind ''The Bucket List'', with $17,714,821 with an average of $8,004 from 2,213 theaters. When'' First Sunday'' closed on February 24, 2008, the film has grossed $37,931,869 from the North American box office and $844,216 in the international box office adding to $38,776,085 worldwide. It grossed more than $100,000 in only four regions outside of the United States, including South Africa ($189,960), the United Kingdom and Ireland ($152,372), Kuwait ($129,332) and the United Arab Emirates ($101,412).First Sunday (2008)
. ''Box Office Mojo''. Retrieved 2010-11-28.

Release

The film was released on January 11, 2008 in the United States.Release dates for 'First Sunday' (2008)
''IMDb''. Retrieved 2010-11-28.

Home media

The film was released on DVD, UMD and Blu-ray on May 6, 2008.

References

External links

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{{David E. Talbert

2008 films
2000s buddy comedy films
2008 crime comedy films
2000s heist films
African-American comedy films
African-American films
American buddy comedy films
American crime comedy films
American heist films
Cube Vision films
2000s English-language films
Films scored by Stanley Clarke
Films directed by David E. Talbert
Films produced by Ice Cube
Films set in Baltimore
Films shot in Baltimore
Screen Gems films
2008 directorial debut films
Films about dysfunctional families
2000s American films
English-language crime comedy films
English-language buddy comedy films