Dolemite is My Name is easily Eddie Murphy’s best performance yet
By D.J. Rivera
Eddie Murphy stages a stellar comeback with a career-defining performance in Netflix’s real-life showbiz drama Dolemite is My Name.
When news of Eddie Murphy’s comeback came in the form of a biopic, it probably made a few people’s eyes roll, given the actor’s almost decade-long absence and plethora of mediocre titles he left behind. Of all the great actors to play Rudy Ray Moore, why choose Eddie Murphy? Well, the simple fact is those who rolled their eyeballs need to pull a reverse real quick because Dolomite is the role Murphy was born to play.
Murphy makes his triumphant return to the world of movies, thanks to Netflix’s Dolemite is My Name. The biopic based on trailblazer and icon Rudy Ray Moore allows Murphy to showcase his skills like never before, offering subscribers an electrifying performance in what could arguably be deemed as one of the best films of his career.
Hustle and Flow director Craig Brewer is at the helm of Murphy’s compelling comeback flick working off a screenplay penned by veteran screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. The duo, who are known for their work on Ed Wood, Big Eyes, and The People Vs. OJ, have outdone themselves on the Netflix exclusive feature.
As a result of their combined efforts with the ambitious filmmaker, Dolemite is My Name’s narrative, dialogue, and story are as smooth as the titular character’s style, offering up a perfect mix of impactful drama and side-splitting laughs.
Moore’s story is very relatable as a self-made man stumbling at several endeavors until landing on one that sticks. Everyone has dreams and often hit many obstacles on their way. With the odds heavily stacked against him, the seemingly down-and-out performer found a way to overcome adversity and make his dreams come true.
This rags-to-riches story is brilliantly illustrated in the film, starting out with a failed attempt by Moore to get a mild-mannered DJ played by Snoop Dogg to play some of his records on the air. After his sound is criticized for being dated, Moore is reminded that not everyone’s dreams come true and that he ultimately missed his opportunity to be famous.
Working as a cashier at the same record store the DJ puts out his radio show from, Murphy’s Moore has an idea after kicking a derelict out of the establishment. He later finds the panhandler, played by Ron Cephas Jones, in an alley offering booze and cash for the chance to record his stories.
Using his newfound material, he creates the persona Dolemite, which reinvigorates his stand up career. But this inevitably leads to another hurdle when he records a comedy album no one will sell because of its graphic material. Not backing down, Moore successfully self distributes until he gets a record deal and eventually tops the Billboard charts.
But why stop there, Moore wants Dolemite to be seen all around the world, and the best place to do that is movies. So he sets out to make a motion picture based on his character only to find out once again that no one believes in him, and if he wants to see his name on the marquee, he will have to do it himself.
The constant roller coaster ride to stardom Murphy takes us on throughout this endearing cinematic endeavor is full of ups and downs, moments that will make audiences laugh and even shed a tear. It’s heartfelt because all the things stopping Moore are very petty. An unnecessary prioritization on superficial qualities as opposed to appreciating talent is front and center in all of the character’s struggles throughout the feature film.
The biggest twist comes in the final half-hour when audiences will come to realize just how much they have at stake in Moore’s attempts at success. The ending of this film is incredibly moving, and in terms of cinema magic, it’s pretty darn perfect.
While the motion picture on its own is a real accomplishment, what truly stands out about this cinematic tale is the performance from Murphy. The comedic actor was already in his own right a name that people recognized. But now this exemplary performance solidifies his greatness and proves that he is truly an incredible actor.
Within seconds of the film’s opening moments, the viewer completely forgets its Eddie Murphy and becomes fully enthralled in all the Dolemite action. He somehow pulls off this relatable down-on-his-luck schmuck while growing this larger than life persona at the same time, ultimately showcasing that Murphy is back and better than ever.
The way he is able to flex his dramatic chops is unparalleled to anything he has done before. From the mannerisms, voice, and features, it’s hard to argue that Dolemite isn’t Murphy’s most significant performance to date. It truly adds value to this flick, watching such an acclaimed actor simply dominate a role as Murphy does in Dolemite.
Murphy’s fantastic run as Moore is complemented by the film’s star-studded cast. This includes such big names as Craig Robinson, Keegan Michael-Key, Mike Epps, and Tituss Burgess, who all do a magnificent job filling out the roles of the supporting players that aided Moore on his rise to stardom.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph makes her presence known in the film and somewhat steals the show every time she’s on-screen. Her portrayal of Moore’s platonic partner, Lady Reed, is exceptionally well done and proves that Randolph is an excellent performer in her own right.
Another talented individual who does a great job opposite Murphy is Wesley Snipes. Playing actor D’urville Martin in the Netflix biopic, he plays the one person in Dolemite’s crew that isn’t a believer. His snobby, arrogant attitude toward bringing Dolemite to the big screen is just simply delightful. It’s nice to see Snipes doing comedic things like carrying around a trail of intestines and actually generating some serious laughs.
Another aspect of Dolemite is My Name that deserves significant praise is the visual aesthetics. The 1970s vibe, through both the wardrobe and production design, is flawlessly executed, and the attention to detail is noticeable by even the most casual of moviegoers. The end result is that the motion picture looks as fly as Dolemite himself, which is, after witnessing the film, the stuff of legends.
All in all, Dolemite is My Name stands out from most other biopics. Seeing Moore’s journey to the top was particularly fascinating, given Murphy’s own tumultuous experience with show business, making the film feel all the more real. Murphy’s portrayal of Moore’s resilience and heart will definitely inspire all who don’t sleep on what many are considering one of the best films of the year.