The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat is a 2024 American drama film directed by Tina Mabry and written by Mabry and Cee Marcellus.[2] It is based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Edward Kelsey Moore.[3] The movie stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan, Uzo Aduba, Mekhi Phifer, Julian McMahon, Vondie Curtis-Hall, and Russell Hornsby.

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat
Release poster
Directed byTina Mabry
Screenplay by
  • Cee Marcellus
  • Tina Mabry
Based onThe Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat
by Edward Kelsey Moore
Produced by
Starring
CinematographySean McElwee
Edited byTariq Anwar
Music byKathryn Bostic
Production
company
Distributed bySearchlight Pictures
Release dates
  • August 7, 2024 (2024-08-07) (MVAAFF)
  • August 16, 2024 (2024-08-16) (United States)
  • August 23, 2024 (2024-08-23) (Hulu)
Running time
124 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$23 million[1]

The film was released in theaters in the United States by Searchlight Pictures on August 16, 2024,[4] and on Hulu on August 23, 2024.[5]

Premise

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Three best friends who call themselves "The Supremes" have experienced life together through the good and bad, and are now finding their friendship tested.

Cast

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Production

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In December 2020, an adaptation of Edward Kelsey Moore's novel The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat was in development, which was to be directed by Tina Mabry, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Gina Prince-Bythewood. Cee Marcellus would eventually be credited on the film's screenplay with Mabry. It was a co-production of Searchlight Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment.[6] It was announced in July 2022 that Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Sanaa Lathan were cast to star in the film.[7] In September, Russell Hornsby was added to the cast,[8] with Mekhi Phifer joining the follow month.[9] In October 2022, Kyanna Simone, Tati Gabrielle and Abigail Achiri joined the cast.[10]

Filming began on October 12, 2022, in Wilmington, North Carolina.[11] Production ran until mid-November.[12] It wrapped up by November 11, 2022, with Dijon Means, Xavier Mills, Cleveland Berto, Jason Turner and Ryan Paynter having joined the cast.[13]

Release

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The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat premiered on August 7, 2024 at the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival.[14] The film was released on Hulu in the United States on August 23, 2024.[15] Internationally, it was released on Disney+.[16]

Reception

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Viewership

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The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat was the fifth most watched streaming original movie during the week of 12 August – 23 August, 2024, with 139.2 million minutes of watch time.[17] JustWatch, a guide to streaming content with access to data from more than 40 million users around the world, estimated that The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat was the fifth top streaming series in the U.S. for the week ending September 1.[18]

Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 65% of 26 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.8/10.[19] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 55 out of 100, based on 9 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[20]Lovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter said Mabry’s adaptation of Moore’s book effectively portrays deep friendships among older Black women, focusing on their reflections following the death of a patriarchal figure. Gyarkye found the film notable for its tender handling of the characters' personal and romantic struggles, with strong performances from the cast adding depth to its sentimental narrative.[21] Amy Nicholson of The New York Times said The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat offers a melodramatic array of themes, including adultery, alcoholism, and murder, presented with a mix of humor and pathos. Nicholson stated that the film is engaging due to its vibrant portrayal of three friends, strong performances by the cast, and the film's indulgent, if occasionally over-the-top, narrative style.[22]

References

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  1. ^ Overton, Rodney (October 21, 2022). "2 new movies filming in NC with combined budgets of $30 million; settings in Wilmington and Charlotte". WNCN. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  2. ^ Menta, Anna (August 23, 2024). "Is 'The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat' Based on a True Story? How Author Edward Kelsey Moore Was Inspired by His Life | Decider". Decider. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  3. ^ DeVore, Britta (July 9, 2024). "'The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat' Trailer Reveals the Unbreakable Bonds of Friendship". Collider. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  4. ^ "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat ending explained: Did Odette survive?". Sportskeeda. August 28, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  5. ^ Grobar, Matt (May 13, 2024). "'The Supremes At Earl's All-You-Can-Eat' Sets Hulu Premiere Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  6. ^ Jackson, Angelique (December 1, 2020). "Tina Mabry & Gina Prince-Bythewood to Adapt 'The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat' at Searchlight (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  7. ^ Kroll, Justin (July 21, 2022). "Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis & Sanaa Lathan To Star In Searchlight's The Supremes At Earl's All-You-Can-Eat". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  8. ^ Jackson, Angelique (September 27, 2022). "Russell Hornsby Joins Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis and Sanaa Lathan in The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  9. ^ Vlessing, Etan (October 5, 2022). "Mekhi Phifer to Star in Searchlight's The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  10. ^ Jackson, Angelique (October 13, 2022). "Tina Mabry's 'The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat' Adds Kyanna Simone, Tati Gabrielle and Abigail Achiri (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  11. ^ King, Kevin P. (September 29, 2022). "TW Cast & Recruit The Supremes At Earl's All-You-Can-Eat, Wilmington, NC – Multiple Roles Added For Filming on Oct. 12th". The Southern Casting Call. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  12. ^ Fleming, Jendaya (October 6, 2022). "Do you want to be in a movie? Extras needed for filming in Wilmington". WPDE-TV. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  13. ^ Grobar, Matt (November 14, 2022). "'The Supremes At Earl's All-You-Can-Eat' Adds Four As Searchlight Film Wraps Production". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  14. ^ Jackson, Angelique (July 16, 2024). "'The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat' to Premiere at Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  15. ^ "Home - Searchlight Pictures Pressroom". Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  16. ^ "The Supremes At Earl's All-You-Can-Eat on Disney+ trailer". TV Central. July 13, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  17. ^ Hailu, Selome (September 3, 2024). "Luminate Streaming Ratings: 'The Accident' and 'The Union' Lead TV and Film Charts August 23-29". Variety. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  18. ^ Gruenwedel, Erik (September 3, 2024). "JustWatch: 'A Quiet Place: Day One,' 'Kaos' Top Weekly Streaming Through Sept. 1". Media Play News. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  19. ^ "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  20. ^ "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  21. ^ Gyarkye, Lovia (August 7, 2024). "'The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat' Review: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Uzo Aduba and Sanaa Lathan Buoy Routine Female-Friendship Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  22. ^ Nicholson, Amy (August 22, 2024). "'The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat' Review: Hungry for Drama". The New York Times. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
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