Year: 2019
Director: Craig Brewer
Country: US
Language: English
"Dolemite is my name, and fucking up motherfuckers is my game!" The character Dolemite, played by Rudy Ray Moore was one bad motherfucker. As a kung-fu fighting pimp audiences loved him, and critics despised him. Known as "The Godfather of Rap" his debut feature Dolemite (1975) was a surprise financial success. Its sequels The Human Tornado (1976) and The Return of Dolemite (2002) managed to do no wrong.
Dolemite is My Name is about the origins of Dolemite and Rudy Ray Moore's slow rise to stardom as he makes his first motion picture.
Eddie Murphy is one high energy motherfucker in this film. Though he doesn't really resemble Rudy Ray Moore, Murphy's performance brings the spirit of the performer to the forefront. He's rude, he's crude and yet he's pretty sincere with the empathy he has for all the other fuckers around him. Its impossible not to root for the guy. In addition to Murphy, we are treated to a delightful cast of colorful characters. Wesley Snipes plays an outrageous prima donna named D'Urville Martin.
Dolemite is My Name is foul, funny and touching. One minute you'll be thinking "that's one funny motherfucker" and the next you'll find yourself wanting to kung-fu the shit out of your emotions. Just as you karate chop those tears away, Murphy roundhouse kicks your funny bone.
This cool-ass shit ain't without its faults though; the run-time of 2hrs is a bit too long and padded with needless exposition. The story drifts far too close to the traditional bio-pic template and nearly looses itself in the same old formula we're used to seeing in cinema. You will leave this film thinking you've seen something good, but its a few steps away from great. Like the original Dolemite (1975) its fun enough to see at least once.
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