Much like Ed Wood, Lloyd Kaufman, Tommy Wiseau, and few others, Rudy Ray Moore was an auteur of his time and surrounding. He was a man who was told by studio executives, radio DJs, and members of his own family that he wasn’t good enough to make it to the big time. But after drawing inspiration from the “hobo poetry” of wino’s around his neighborhood, he created one of the memorable and controversial characters ever created.
What makes the movie so enjoyable though, is the ridiculously solid cast of the funniest men in comedy.
Joining Murphy is comic veterans, Mike Epps, Keegan-Michael Key, Craig Robinson, and Tituss Burgess, who play, his life-long friends, and crew members. Dolemite also stars film legend Wesley Snipes, who, after his trouble with the IRS, makes his significant film return as well. But with all this star power, the breakout performer of Dolemite was by actress/singer Da’Vine Joy Randolph who takes on the role of “Lady Reed,” one of Moore’s talented, but tough, nightclub discovery.
Is this movie worth watching?
Absolutely it is. Eddie Murphy goes “all in” in a way I haven’t seen since his role in Bowfinger. This movie is just straight-up funny. And the performance Murphy gives could get him a few award nods. Dolemite is not by any means a “family movie” (due to the vulgar language and sporadic bare breasts), but it is by all accounts a “feel-good” movie. There are countless cameos by several of our favorite comedians and actors since it’s a Netflix exclusive, it’s the perfect movie for a night in.
"…Eddie Murphy goes "all in" in a way I haven't seen since Bowfinger."
