Eddie Murphy says Tyler Perry is this generation’s real-life Dolemite. Murphy is currently starring in Netflix’s Dolemite Is My Name. Directed by Craig Brewer, and written by the duo of Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, the biographical comedy tells the story of filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore. Moore’s path to wider fame started when he heard lewd stories about someone called “Dolemite”, told by a local man named Rico. Moore began to record these stories, later portraying the role of Dolemite in his club act and in recordings. This would soon evolve, with Moore using the earnings from his records to finance a film based on the character of Dolemite. Released in 1975, and seen as one of the great blaxploitation narratives of that era, the making of the film provides the basis for the biographical comedy which Murphy stars in.
Dolemite Is My Name has been a hit with critics, garnering nearly universal acclaim. Screen Rant’s review of the film praises the fact that it’s a perfect blend of heart and humor. Murphy’s performance has earned him a Golden Globes nomination for Best Actor, with many analysts arguing that he should ultimately win an Oscar. Murphy has only been nominated for an Oscar once, despite his long career, and a long list of memorable portrayals. He was among the nominees in the Supporting Actor category, in 2006, for Dreamgirls.
In a wide-ranging interview with IndieWire, in which Murphy discusses his return to SNL, as well as the upcoming Beverly Hills Cop sequel, the actor was asked about what lessons today’s black filmmakers can learn from Rudy Ray Moore. In his response, Murphy mentions Tyler Perry and notes the similarities between the origins of Dolemite and Madea. Read Murphy’s thoughtful comments below.
Today, Rudy Ray Moore would be Tyler Perry. On the surface, [Perry] looks like he just popped up, but he was making these plays and doing Madea all around, so he had a grassroots following. That’s what Rudy did when he went, “Hey, I got this thing, I know what’s good, I believe in it and I’m going to go and work and sell it out of my trunk and get it going.” Your belief and your volition gets you whatever you want. He doesn’t have any of this stuff that’s supposed to make you. He’s got a pot belly, and he’s not a good-looking guy. He’s got nothing and his stuff is super crude. And he went and got his act from homeless people in the alley.
Although he is a household name these days, with his works having both fervent supporters and adamant detractors, Tyler Perry had similarly humble beginnings. He bankrolled his own musical when he was in his early twenties, using his limited life savings. With the title of I Know I’ve Been Changed, the play dealt with themes of forgiveness and dignity in a Christian context, while also tackling child abuse and dysfunctional families. Perry had his own heartbreaking experiences with these subjects. His efforts were considered, at first, to be a failure financially and critically. Perry stayed the course, determined, and often retooling his output. It worked, becoming the first step for the versatile talent to gain access into Hollywood.
Perry has emerged as one of the most successful people in the industry, partnering with Oprah and becoming the first African-American to own a major film studio. It goes to the heart of the comparison which Murphy was trying to make; shedding light on how Perry and the protagonist of Dolemite Is My Name are both unlikely successes. It’s clear that Murphy has put a fair amount of consideration into bringing the story of Rudy Ray Moore to a larger audience. As his comments reveal, the Netflix biopic may seem like a specific saga. But, stripped down to basics, it’s pretty familiar.
Source: IndieWire