Some of the most beloved films are about the act of making films. From Ed Wood to American Movie, audiences have fallen in love with misfits who won’t say no and persevere. Rudy Ray Moore may have been the biggest dreamer of them all.
Rudy (Eddie Murphy) has done everything imaginable to break into showbiz. But when he stumbles upon a hobo’s espousing about the folk-hero Dolemite, and all the colorful language he uses to perpetuate his tale, Rudy finds an act that actually works. After successfully selling his new persona from the chitlin circuit to the billboard charts, Rudy realizes he has one thing left to do to achieve his dream of worldwide recognition, turn Dolemite in all his cussing glory into a full-blown movie.
Craig Brewer, who will next direct Murphy in a sequel to Coming to America, directs Dolemite is my Name with a steady hand and adept touch, making sure that not only Eddie shines as Rudy, but the massive supporting cast here all get their own spotlight. Wesley Snipes is a revelation as D’urville Martin, forget Blade, this is his role of a lifetime. Murphy is brilliant as Moore as well, a role he was born to play and it would be criminal would he be forgotten come award season.
A brilliant script from Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (who also wrote Ed Wood) gives everyone involved plenty to work with, in what could very well be the best feel-good movie of the year.
- Release Date: 9/7/2019
