“Make That Shit Swing, Put Your Weight On It”
Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore says that to his musical accompanist the first time he takes the stage as Dolemite. He wanted more oomph, more swagger, just more to complement his stage appearance. And that’s also what Murphy does in his riotously funny and mesmerising performance in Dolemite is My Name.
He’s fully committed to the character. A comedian playing a comedian so of course he’s funny. He lands every joke from the stand up bits which are of course laugh out funny, to the silly aside jokes. For example watch him as plays off Luenell who plays his aunt in one scene, as he tries to cajole her out of money. It’s a full body performance with many physical jokes, karate chops, singing and dancing. Every minute he’s on screen you can’t take your eyes off him...
Murphy digs deep and also plays the pathos of the character. Rudy is not just funny. He’s ambitious, he’s a showman, he’s persuasive. Murphy shows all these aspects of the character, while maintaining the core of the character as a guy who’s always trying to get the laugh.
He knows that he needs to be generous to the big and talented supporting cast. The rapport between him and Da'Vine Joy Randolph is so palpable their scenes together are electric.You feel the admiration Moore has for his protege genuinely coming from Murphy. In the scene where she thanks him for giving her a chance, he cedes the spotlight to her. He plays well with Titus Burgess, Mike Epps and Craig Robinson as his friends and collaborators. Though he’s the star he’s comfortable with Wesley Snipes stealing many scenes. He knows if they shine, the film that has his name is better and he shines too.
As you prepare to watch Murphy host SNL tomorrow, or to watch the clips on Sunday morning, do yourself a favor and click on Dolemite on Netflix. There’s joy waiting to be had there.