Put your weight on it

Dolemite is My Name

by Kathia Woods

The seventies were a creative renaissance for Black Creatives. Black people decided that were done trying to assimilate in Entertainment. This was evident in shows like Soul Train, groups such as LTD/Earth Wind & Fire and a new genre of cinema known as Black Exploitation. We wanted to see ourselves on the big screen. Our brand of humor our vernacular. In walks Rudy Ray Moore aka Dolemite. Moore is responsible for many things that we see in hip-hop culture and set the groundwork for what we call the independent movie game. Dolemite Is My Name details, all of the above beautifully in a new movie streaming October 4th on Netflix starring Eddie Murphy. Many are familiar with his comedy albums and movies however not many are aware of Rudy the man.

Dolemite Name Is My Name spans the beginning of Moore’s career. It explains how he invented the persona and ultimately became a black folk hero.

A couple of things to take away from Dolemite Is My Name. One it's unapologetically black. The music, the clothing and most importantly language are all a celebration of black culture. Two Eddie Murphy is without any doubt one of the most talented people in Hollywood.

Many aren’t going to understand the nuances in this movie, for instance, the reference to the dozens. A popular African American term that involves cracking jokes on another with rapid speed. The influence of Kung Foo movies that still resonates today. Finally the importance of involving the community in branding. Dolemite affirms the economic power of Black America.

Dolemite Is My Name does a wonderful job of showing how Moore tapped into his fanbase. He knew that they were responsible for his success not the critics.

The thing I loved most about Dolemite Is My Name is that it had humor but it still told Rudy’s story. In these types of movies, it's very easy to go south and have a persona like Dolemite turn into a caricature. This movie didn’t do that. It showed us that Moore was a man that dreamed big and never gave up.

Many are calling this Eddie Murphy’s comeback however that’s not accurate. Eddie Murphy isn’t someone that was ousted from the business. He decided to try other things and take time out for his family. We keep forgetting that Eddie has been a professional comic since the age of 18. He had two back to back blockbuster movies by the time he was 25. He’s also a great actor hence he was the perfect choice to play Dolemite. The supporting cast is equally great. Mike Epps as Jimmy Lynch continues to show that he’s growing into quite a capable actor. Titus Burgess as Theodore Tuney fills a very important role. He plays an out gay man in the ’70s. He’s never the butt of the joke but accepted as a vital part of Rudy’s entourage. Craig Robinson is one of my favorite comedians and also does not disappoint. The scene-stealer of this film is Wesley Snipes as D’urville Martin. He received a resounding roar at TIFF. Snipes deserves the warm reception because he’s just hilarious. Newcomer Da’Vine Joy Randolph gives an emotional performance as Lady Reed. You simply can’t take your eyes off her. We can’t overlook that the mighty Ruth E. Carter is responsible for the wardrobe and Scott Bromar hit all the right notes when it comes to the soundtrack. In the words of Dolemite director Craig Brewer “Put Your Weight On It” (Dolemite catch phrase). He created a funky good time with Dolemite Is My Name.

Diversity: This movie gets a 10 for the predominantly black cast of all shapes, sizes, ages, shades, and sexuality.

Scale: Dolemite Is My Name gets a strong 8 for much needed comic relief.