Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Eddie Murphy portrays real-life legend Rudy Ray Moore, a comedy and rap pioneer who proved naysayers wrong when his hilarious, obscene, kung-fu fighting alter ego, Dolemite, became a 1970s Blaxploitation phenomenon.

Director:

Craig Brewer

Writers:

Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski

Stars:

Eddie Murphy, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 29 wins & 65 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eddie Murphy	...	Rudy
Keegan-Michael Key	...	Jerry
Mike Epps	...	Jimmy
Craig Robinson	...	Ben
Tituss Burgess	...	Toney
Da'Vine Joy Randolph	...	Lady Reed
Kodi Smit-McPhee	...	Nick
Snoop Dogg	...	Roj
Ron Cephas Jones	...	Ricco
Barry Shabaka Henley	...	Demond
T.I.	...	Walter Crane (as Tip 'TI' Harris)
Luenell	...	Aunt
Tasha Smith	...	Jimmy's Wife
Wesley Snipes	...	D'Urville
Chris Rock	...	Bobby Vale

Storyline

Eddie Murphy portrays real-life legend Rudy Ray Moore, a comedy and rap pioneer who proved naysayers wrong when his hilarious, obscene, kung-fu fighting alter ego, Dolemite, became a 1970s Blaxploitation phenomenon.

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Plot Keywords:

based on true story | actor | vinyl | netflix original | blaxploitation filmmaking | 

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Taglines:

Make your own legend.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language, crude sexual content, and graphic nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dedicated to Eddie Murphy's brother, Charlie.

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Goofs

While the film tells the story of the making of Dolemite, the car chase, the Cadillac exploding, and the sex scene are from the sequel, The Human Tornado. The scenes are intentionally included as a nod to Moore's later film.

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Quotes

[after sitting through The Front Page, Rudy gets an idea]
Rudy Ray Moore: Well... I was thinkin'... this movie is playin' all across the country... and it's got no titties, no funny, and no Kung Fu. I was looking at that light. From the projector. It shoots across a theater and hits an 80-foot tall screen and then POW! Magic! You know how many mule miles I drove cross the country to get my name in people's mouths? But if I could get up in that light... if I could be in a movie of my own... I could be everywhere...

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Connections

References Brother of the Wind (1973)

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Soundtracks

Ballad of a Boy and Girl
Written by Rudy Ray Moore
Performed by Eddie Murphy and Da'Vine Joy Randolph
Produced by James Fauntleroy, 1500 or Nothin' and The Math Club

User Reviews

Raw, rude and raucously entertaining story of Rudy Ray Moore/Dolemite

Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy) was a true from the streets success. And, a late bloomer, as it were. After years of trying to breakthrough as an entertainer in L.A., the 40-something Moore took some stories he heard around his neighborhood and created the stand up comedian character of the cocky Dolemite. That act lead to underground success with self-released record albums and touring. With the Blacksploitation film genre exploding, it was only a matter of time until Dolemite hit the big screen. Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski's script traces those crucial years in Moore's life in the early 70s. A raw, rude and raucous screenplay it is. Director Craig Brewer mostly keeps to the spirit of the writing and lets the dialogue and the acting take center stage. And, with Eddie Murphy delivering a strong energetic performance, it's best to stand back and let him fly. And, soar he does. With the makeup, hair and some extra pounds, Murphy takes on the dynamo persona of Moore/Dolemite. Occasionally, Murphy is "too good" an actor to totally capture the rough hewn Moore, who was more a force of nature than a smooth performer -- but, it's hard to fault him for giving "too good" a performance! Wesley Snipes is almost unrecognizable as D'urville Martin, a "name" actor who Moore lures by letting him Direct. Kodi Smit-McPhee plays Nicholas Von Sternberg* Dolemite's cinematographer straight out of film school who leads a band of young white behind the scenes crew members. The real scene stealer is Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Lady Reed, a small town girl who Moore discovers on tour. The entire cast throws themselves into this with a verge and enthusiasm that is palpable. The movie is a bit too long, with padded exposition and too close a fealty to the bio-pic template, but, as Dolemite himself might say: Who gives a $^@# about that!? You want action? You want laughs? You want some nasty?! We got it all! Listen to Dolemite.

* Note: I've worked closely with Nick Von Sternberg, so yes, it's based on a true person. Very kind gentleman. Indeed, he is the son of master filmmaker Josef Von Sternberg (although he passed when Nick was still a teen). Nick worked for over two decades as a cinematographer before leaving the business.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 October 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dolemite Is My Name

Filming Locations:

2636 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Davis Entertainment, Netflix

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1