Richard Pryor: Here and Now. 1983 Columbia Pictures.
Written, starring and directed by Richard Pryor
Part of the Richard Pryor Stand-Up Comedy Double Feature with Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip.
Richard Pryor's final stand-up film, shot at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans. It's also a concert film where the audience, or at least certain members of aforementioned audience, kept trying to steal the show from Pryor with the heckling. Pryor manages to stay on top of that, and doesn't allow it to throw off his timing. The highlight of the show is the end, where Pryor talks about a junkie shooting heroin, which becomes uncomfortable enough to watch that one may start to wonder whether or not this is really comedy. Truly brilliant stuff from a master.
It should be noted that Pryor had been sober for about seven months, and it shows. He is relaxed and looks happy throughout the movie. Recommended, although you need to remember that the star of the show isn't the audience!
No comments:
Post a Comment