Eddie Murphy Raw.

Review #1315: Eddie Murphy Raw.

Cast: 
Eddie Murphy (Himself)

Opening sketch: Tatyana Ali (Eddie's sister), Deon Richmond (Little Eddie), Billie Allen (Eddie's aunt), James Brown III (Thanksgiving guest), Edye Byrde (Mrs. Butts), Michelle Davison (Thanksgiving guest), Clebert Ford (Uncle Lester), and Birdie M. Hale (Aunt Rose) Directed by Robert Townsend.

Review: 

Sometimes you really need to start your night off with something to laugh. I would say a stand-up film would be a pretty good example, since this is one of the most successful one released into theaters, released in the zenith of Murphy's career, released the same year as Beverly Hills Cop II (while being the first standup special he did since Delirious in 1983) that was filmed at the Felt Forum in New York City. The film starts off with an opening sketch involving his childhood (written by Murphy and Keenen Ivory Wayans) involving a childhood during Thanksgiving, which sets you right in the mood for a few risky jokes - which goes off mostly without a hitch. It may not be the funniest thing ever put to film, but one will find themselves having a few laughs due to the passion Murphy has in trying to make one laugh without needing to be desperate for it. Sure, some of the jokes seem a bit dated (although it isn't too hard to laugh at the Cosby routine even now), but there is a basic quality to how he delivers it that makes him so interesting to view on the screen. I think the last part of the film, involving a phone call to a (drunk) father is probably the highlight for me, in part because of one having to visually picture a person dressed up in a Twister sheet getting beaten up by bullies with a square board in tow. He has a good range with his voice, whether that involves an impersonation or needing to a bit vulger (with a certain word being used throughout the 90 minute run-time, which was actually a record for film until Goodfellas. The word is fuck) - but it doesn't consume the whole show for its intended audience. It isn't like you are going to show it to your 8-year old, though your 15-year old may come across it and probably find something to say about it (or copy), which speaks to its standing power after over three decades since its release. It's a fair recommendation to make, a neat little gem with plenty to say (curse words and all) for itself that holds just fine now more than ever.

Welcome to Movie Night 2020 - also known as Season X! I promise to have plenty of interesting films to cover (old and new), whether they range from 1920 or 2020, with a bit of a tribute to the decades sprinkled in before the tenth anniversary. Hope to see you all there.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.