“Coffee & Kareem” (2020) is an American action-comedy film directed by Michael Dowse and written by Shane McCarthy. The film stars Ed Helms as Detective James Coffee, Taraji P. Henson as his girlfriend, and Terrence Little Gardenhigh as her son, Kareem. It was released on Netflix on April 3, 2020.
The movie is a comedic take on the buddy-cop genre, blending elements of crime and humor. It follows a veteran Detroit police officer who, after becoming romantically involved with a woman named Nicole, finds himself having to deal with her precocious 12-year-old son, Kareem. The unlikely trio ends up in over their heads when they stumble upon a dangerous criminal operation.
Plot Summary
The story begins with James Coffee (Ed Helms), a by-the-book but somewhat jaded Detroit police officer, who is attempting to navigate his new relationship with Nicole (Taraji P. Henson). Nicole has a 12-year-old son, Kareem (Terrence Little Gardenhigh), who is initially hostile and skeptical of James, causing friction in their relationship. Kareem, a smart-mouthed and streetwise kid, doesn’t trust James and is determined to keep him away from his mother.
However, things take a chaotic turn when Kareem, attempting to impress his mother and prove he is tough, unwittingly gets involved in a dangerous situation. He records a crime scene involving some local criminals and accidentally becomes entangled with the wrong people. When he seeks out James for help, they are forced into an unlikely partnership to protect Kareem and bring down the criminals threatening their lives.
James and Kareem, despite their vastly different personalities and approaches to problem-solving, must work together to survive. Along the way, James learns to loosen up, while Kareem discovers the complexities of the world beyond his own tough-guy persona. Their journey involves chasing criminals, surviving shootouts, and trying to outwit those who want them dead—all while Kareem and James develop a strange but growing bond.
Themes
- Unlikely Partnerships: A central theme of Coffee & Kareem is the unlikely and often humorous partnership between James and Kareem. They start off as adversaries, with Kareem actively trying to undermine James, but as the film progresses, they begin to form an unexpected bond. This theme explores how people from different backgrounds or with different personalities can find common ground in times of crisis.
- Growth and Maturity: Kareem, despite being a kid with an attitude, is forced to grow up quickly and deal with adult problems. Through his interactions with James, he learns that life is more complicated than he originally thought. For James, the film is about learning to let go of his rigid, rule-bound approach to life and becoming more flexible in his thinking.
- Crime and Justice: Like most buddy cop films, Coffee & Kareem explores themes of crime, law enforcement, and justice. However, it does so with a comedic twist, using over-the-top action and absurd situations to highlight the challenges and pitfalls of dealing with criminals in the real world.
- Humor and Family Dynamics: The comedy of the film lies in the clash of personalities between James, a professional cop, and Kareem, a rebellious and sarcastic pre-teen. Their interactions provide much of the humor in the film, especially as James tries (and fails) to connect with Kareem. The film also emphasizes the dynamics of blended families, showing how different people adjust to new relationships and form unexpected bonds.
Cast and Characters
- Ed Helms as James Coffee: A well-meaning, by-the-book Detroit police officer who finds himself caught up in a messy situation involving his girlfriend’s son. Helms plays the role with his trademark dry humor, blending his character’s serious demeanor with comedic moments.
- Taraji P. Henson as Nicole: Kareem’s mother and James’ girlfriend. Nicole is a no-nonsense woman who loves her son but is caught between his rebellious nature and her new relationship with James.
- Terrence Little Gardenhigh as Kareem: Nicole’s 12-year-old son, who is tough, street-smart, and skeptical of James. Kareem’s character provides much of the film’s comedic energy with his wisecracks and outlandish antics.
- David Alan Grier as Detective Watts: A fellow police officer who works with James but is also involved in the criminal side of the story.
- Betty Gilpin as Kelly: A key character connected to the crime plot who complicates things further for James and Kareem.
- RonReaco Lee as Orlando: A criminal who finds himself in conflict with James and Kareem.
- Andrew Bachelor as Hassan: A character who adds to the chaos and confusion as James and Kareem try to stay ahead of the criminal element.
Style and Tone
Coffee & Kareem has a distinctly irreverent, action-packed tone, mixing fast-paced action sequences with sharp humor. The film embraces the typical tropes of the buddy-cop genre, such as shootouts, car chases, and criminals on the run, but it flips them on their head with absurd situations and humorous dialogue.
The humor in the film comes from the contrasting personalities of James and Kareem. James, played by Ed Helms, is a seasoned cop who often finds himself in over his head, while Kareem, portrayed by Terrence Little Gardenhigh, is a wisecracking pre-teen with a bad attitude but a good heart. The interactions between the two provide much of the comedy, as they go from enemies to reluctant partners, each trying to outdo the other.
The film also has a gritty edge with its Detroit setting and crime-focused plot. While it is an action-comedy, the film incorporates elements of the typical crime genre, such as gangsters, shady cops, and escalating violence. However, these elements are often played for laughs, making the film a light-hearted romp with an over-the-top sense of humor.
Reception
Coffee & Kareem was met with mixed to negative reviews from critics. While the performances, especially from Ed Helms and Terrence Little Gardenhigh, were generally praised, many felt that the film relied too heavily on crude humor and didn’t deliver on its potential. The film’s tone, which blends dark action with slapstick comedy, was divisive, with some finding it entertaining and others feeling that it fell flat.
Despite the criticism, the film found an audience on Netflix, where viewers looking for a fun, light-action comedy were able to enjoy it for its quirky premise and comedic moments. It was especially popular with those who enjoy the irreverent, R-rated style of comedy typical in modern action films.
Conclusion
Coffee & Kareem (2020) is a fast-paced action-comedy that combines crime drama with humor in a way that’s aimed at fans of buddy-cop films with a twist. The film offers a fun, albeit over-the-top, adventure that focuses on the unlikely partnership between a serious cop and a street-smart pre-teen. While it didn’t garner universal critical acclaim, its comedic performances, particularly from Ed Helms and Terrence Little Gardenhigh, and its action sequences make it an enjoyable ride for viewers looking for a mix of laughter and excitement.
