Dirty Laundry (2008)

50% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(650 ratings)

"Dirty Laundry" is a modern-day prodigal son story with a twist. It follows Patrick, a magazine writer, who seems to have the "perfect life" until one day there is a knock at the door. On the other side stands a secret that brings him face to face with the traditional southern family he hasn't seen… More "Dirty Laundry" is a modern-day prodigal son story with a twist. It follows Patrick, a magazine writer, who seems to have the "perfect life" until one day there is a knock at the door. On the other side stands a secret that brings him face to face with the traditional southern family he hasn't seen in more than 10 years.

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 42 min.
Directed By: Maurice Jamal
Written By: Maurice Jamal
Genres: Documentary, Drama, Art House & International, Comedy, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jul 15, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Feb 5, 2008
Studio: BiggerEpic

Critic Reviews

Kyle Smith, New York Post
The tone is good-natured enough to make a simple movie semi-watchable.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
Looking for plot holes? You can't miss them. But if you go in hoping for a good time, you'll find that, too.
Matt Zoller Seitz, New York Times
Mr. Jamal's direction ranges from clumsy to competent. Fortunately, even as Mr. Jamal's characters hit notes reminiscent of a half-baked television pilot, they disclose eccentricities that his cast spins into comic gold.
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
Overwritten and under-directed by Maurice Jamal, the movie contains several honest moments but remains too awash in clichÃ (C)s and stereotypes to take seriously.
Stephen Farber, Hollywood Reporter
The film's plea for tolerance is commendable but would have more weight if only it were executed with more panache.
Robert Koehler, Variety
Visually dull, without an ounce of cinematic purpose, pic will work most effectively on the small screen.
Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com
run of the mill, with a few good laughs along the way
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
Brother on the down-low outed by his own kid in colorful character comedy.
Brian Juergens, AfterElton.com
Is it sidesplitting? No, but it's cute. Is it wonderfully wicked? No, but it's got a few twists and turns. Is it a classic? Probably not, but it's an encouraging move into a new kind of gay film and a story not often told.
David Noh, Film Journal International
By far the best of a plethora of holiday family-reunion films, Maurice Jamal's warmly hilarious Dirty Laundry is particularly blessed with the presence of Loretta Devine
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Jamal's comedy of family dysfunction is essentially a sitcom episode writ large; it's not subtle, but it's good-natured and hits its marks with ruthless efficiency.
Kam Williams, Black Star News
Even though homophobia may be more of a hurdle in the 'hood than Hollywood, this ensemble's supportive response to Sheldon's revealing his sexual preference proves to be a surprisingly sweet way to close out this well-meaning message movie.
Julia Wallace, L.A. Weekly
Cheesy crockpot of a film.