If you were worried that Dolemite is My Name was going to be another mediocre attempt to bring Eddie Murphy back into cinematic lexicon, the very first word he utters completely erases any doubts. Five seconds into the first scene, your shoulders relax, your heart flutters, and the corners of your mouth rise. Dolemite is My Name transports you back to the magic he brought to you in the 80s and 90s. It’s classic Eddie Murphy: raw, vulgar, real, and hilariously intelligent.
Dolemite is My Name follows the real-life story of comedy and rap pioneer Rudy Ray Moore (Murphy), whose inability to accept no for an answer took him from little-known Los Angeles nightclub host to 1970s Blaxploitation film legend.
Opening with a more-than-slightly over-the-hill Moore begging radio station DJ Roj (Snoop Dogg) to play any of the crate full of singles he’s trying to promote, the films introduces us to the sneakily hopeful message that prevails throughout the rest of its runtime. When Roj tells him that maybe both of their dreams have passed them by, Moore refuses to believe that he isn’t worth the entire world knowing that he exists. Door after door is shut in Moore’s face in his attempts to become a successful singer, comedian, MC, or any other job that will get his name in the mouths of thousands. Right when he is on the brink of finally accepting defeat, a run-in with the profanity-laden stories of local homeless men inspires him to take on the obscene alter ego, Dolemite.
Chock full of sexual prowess and couplet-rhyming confidence, Dolemite turns Moore into a colorful suit wearing, pimp-strutting, swagger-dripping badass who “f**ks up mother f**kers” for a living. B**tches, Boobs, and booze pilfer just about every seen, as Moore boastfully rhymes his way from local night clubs to a cult following in the chitterling comedy circuit all the way to one of the biggest film successes of the 1970s. It’s a throwback to Eddie’s raunchy stand-ups and R-rated adventures, easily Murphy’s funniest movie in years; but it surprisingly touches you more with heart than with laughs. Hope is the overwhelming feeling you’re left with when the credits roll, and it’s the performances that keep you rooting for the crude cast of characters with a full-teethed grin from beginning to end.
Eddie is having the most fun he has in years, and even in solemn moments you can see the attention and dedication he put into the role. The entire supporting cast is just as inspiring, with not a wasted part within the film. Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Lady Reed is a standout, stealing the spotlight, even from Murphy, in each of her scenes. Moore’s hilarious crew of fellow entertainers (Mike Epps, Titus Burgess, and Craig Robinson) stand toe-to-toe with each other, upping one another’s performances to land some of the funniest bits in the film. Keegan Michael Key’s straight man co-writer of Dolemite Jerry Jones is a pitch perfect sounding board for Murphy’s boisterous Moore. However, no one leaves you smiling more than Wesley Snipes’ performance as the outrageous, gut-busting diva actor-turned-director D’urville Martin. Just his voice alone captures every bit of your attention as he glides through scenes with perfect comedic timing. The ensemble is every bit as prepared to cast as large a shadow as Murphy in order to carry the film as a familial unit.
Dolemite is My Name is a true return to form for Eddie Murphy. It reminds you why he dominated box offices for multiple decades while rarely dropping below an R-rating. Behind all the obscenities, behind all the bare-nekkidness (not naked, nekkid), and behind all the vulgar jokes lies a film with heart, soul, and inspiration. Dolemite is My Name is the a true underdog story that makes you truly care about extremely likeable characters in what has become the feel-good movie of the year.
9.5/10 full blown Eddie Murphy Laughs