Dolemite (1975)

What could I possibly say about a film like Dolemite Is My Name? For starters, it is in my opinion, the best feature Netflix has produced this year. In spite of unanimous critical acclaim, some moviegoers have had a mixed response to the picture as they were expecting more of a laugh riot, given the ensemble comic cast, as opposed to the grounded biopic they were given. The comedic spin is so effective that it keeps you hanging on to see what happens next.

Minor spoilers ahead!

This is the story of real-life comedian/filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore (1927–2008), portrayed onscreen by the great Eddie Murphy, in what’s being called a highlight of his career. Moore is a starving artist in the 1970s, longing to become a superstar by any means necessary. Throughout the course of his career — Moore has held jobs as a corny singer, a shake dancer, and a club emcee. However, Moore has grown disillusioned with his life having yet to achieve the success he’s always wanted. After listening to a rambling wino (Ron Cephas Jones) tell vulgar but comical rhyming stories about an urban hero known as “Dolemite”, Moore takes it upon himself to make Dolemite an actual physical character to portray in his comedy act. The character proves to be a smash hit, and with the help of his closest friends (Craig Robinson, Titus Burgess, and Mike Epps), Moore tours across the nation and becomes a roaring success. Along the way, he forms a close bond with brash single mother Lady Reed (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) and brings her onboard as the sole female comic of the bunch.

After seeing an all-White movie that they don’t find amusing, Moore and friends decide to make their own movie based around Dolemite. Rudy enlists the help of new friend, Jerry Jones (Keegan-Michael Key) — a good-natured playwright to assist him in writing the screenplay. In a chance encounter, the gang meets actor D’Urville Martin (Wesley Snipes) and hire him as co-star and director in spite of his reluctance and overt arrogance.