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

Disney+ is hoping that you’ll spend a night with some new old friends.

Directed by Tina Mabry, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat tells the story of Odette (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), Barbara Jean (Sanaa Lathan), and Clarice (Uzo Aduba), three best friends who have spent their lives supporting one another. Having weathered marital struggle, racial tension, health issues and much more, this sisterhood has held tightly together in order to lift themselves up. However, as new problems begin to stir up the past, they must face their most challenging times together, if they can.

The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat is a celebration (and scathing review) of the highs and lows of life. In an effort to connect the dots within the lives of these women, Mabry plays with time and, for the most part, does so quite well. While it can take a beat before the viewer adjusts to the film’s style, the timelines of the Supremes do an excellent job flowing together. Weaving together two different era, we watch as characters grow (or don’t) in ways that show how the moments of our youth can affect us many years later into adulthood. 

Most importantly though, what holds the film together is the relationship between the three women. Ellis-Taylor, Aduba and Lathan seem to genuinely care for one another, adding to the viewer’s experience with them. We feel as though we’re sitting with old friends and genuinely care for them when they face difficulties along the way. This is the story of life’s ups, downs, heartbreaks and drama. Sometimes, it does feel like a lot happens in the script all at once—but that can happen in life as well. And this trio of performers keep it feeling genuine.

With everything they go through, Earl’s becomes the constant that keeps them together. This small diner is central to the entire community, providing a space for them to laugh and cry together. They get older, locals get younger but Earl’s remains. To them, it’s a sanctuary. A place for them to be together when they are need of ‘grace notes’

And therein the true joy of Supremes.

Despite all the trauma and all the pain that these characters experience, they look for moments of kindness to carry them through. Make no mistake. Supremes doesn’t pull punches with its real-life traumas. This is a story that highlights the innumerable challenges that these women face over the course of a lifetime. Even so, these small spaces of forgiveness, compassion or general care that they can offer each other provide the very spring of life. They may not take away their pain. But they keep them going when they’re buried underneath them.

No, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat may not become your favourite restaurant but there’s no question that it’s worth dining there for an evening. Odette, Barbara Jean and Clarice are a delightful trio that you want to sit with for a night of laughs and tears.

The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat is available on Disney+ on Friday, August 23^rd, 2024.