Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy) is a struggling musician and comedian working at a record store in the 1970s. After interacting and recording conversations with homeless hustlers, he creates an on-stage persona he calls Dolemite and proceeds to become insanely popular. And after making it big with a handful of records, Moore sets his sights on making his own movie.
Dolemite is My Name is profane, rude and always hysterical. While the Film’s structure is your typical slice of life rags to riches biopic format, Director Craig Brewer infuses Dolemite with soul, style, a wicked soundtrack and a wildly eclectic assortment of characters that always keep the film moving and genuinely entertaining. The Film tends to run a bit too long, but you likely will not notice over your laughter. The Film’s look is terrific and the Costume Design from Oscar-winner Ruth E. Carter is downright outstanding. The Cast is fabulous no matter the length of their role, with Wesley Snipes stealing every single one of his scenes. But everyone pales in comparison to Murphy, who sets each of his moments on-screen on fire with his raw charisma and sheer will. He is outrageously funny and subtly heartbreaking. They aren’t calling this role a comeback for nothing!
DOLEMITE IS MY NAME screens during TIFF at the following times:
Saturday September 7, 9:30pm @ Princess of Wales [World Premiere]
Sunday September 8, 12:00pm @ Princess of Wales
Saturday September 14, 5:30pm @ Elgin Theatre
Sunday September 15, 12:00pm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
As if our TIFF ’19 couldn’t be any more explosive, it just did! A bit saddened we missed Leonardo DiCaprio at the Premiere of ICE ON FIRE amidst all the bustle, but we can’t complain!
Ladies and gentlemen, I died when I met Leonardo Dicaprio today! I had my #OnceUponATimeInHollywood Rick Dalton shirt on and he loved it (there he is checking it out in the pic) #Tiff19 pic.twitter.com/DHu7zYmN8R
— MeLiSsA dACrUz ‼TIFF‼ (@MelissaDacruzz) September 8, 2019
Congrats Tina, Cindy + Melissa!
See our day three sightings!
Hover cursor right to navigate each album.
HARRIET – Press Stop
OUR ZOE – Press Stop
BEGINNINGS, ENDINGS – Press Stop
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#TIFF19: #JamieDornan x #ShaileneWoodley at #TIFF for #EndingsBeginnings. #HuaweiP30Pro
AMERICAN SON – Press Stop
DOLEMITE IS MY NAME – Press Stop
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#TIFF19: Comedy legend #EddieMurphy at #TIFF with #DolemiteismyName! #HuaweiP30Pro
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD – Press Stop
HUSTLERS – Press Stop
FORD v. FERRARI – Press Stop
THE GOLDFINCH – Afterparty/strong>
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Premiering at TIFF ’19, check-out the new Trailer for DOLEMITE IS MY NAME with an all-star Cast including Eddie Murphy, Wesley Snipes and Keegan-Michael Key.
Synopsis:
Stung by a string of showbiz failures, floundering comedian Rudy Ray Moore (Academy Award nominee Eddie Murphy) has an epiphany that turns him into a word-of-mouth sensation: step onstage as someone else. Borrowing from the street mythology of 1970s Los Angeles, Moore assumes the persona of Dolemite, a pimp with a cane and an arsenal of obscene fables. However, his ambitions exceed selling bootleg records deemed too racy for mainstream radio stations to play. Moore convinces a social justice-minded dramatist (Keegan-Michael Key) to write his alter ego a film, incorporating kung fu, car chases, and Lady Reed (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), an ex-backup singer who becomes his unexpected comedic foil. Despite clashing with his pretentious director, D’Urville Martin (Wesley Snipes), and countless production hurdles at their studio in the dilapidated Dunbar Hotel, Moore’s Dolemite becomes a runaway box office smash and a defining movie of the Blaxploitation era.
See the Trailer:
DOLEMITE IS MY NAME streams this Fall on Netflix.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
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