Rudy Ray Moore was probably destined for obscure status in the widespread consciousness. Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor, Moms Mabley - they all knew just how far to push their off-color delivery; they brought their free-wheeling black comedy skills to a mainstream audience and gained acceptance. Moore went further than that, and his target audience was committed but limited. Perhaps he didn't see his own self-imposed boundaries. Eddie Murphy's brilliant portrayal suggests that Moore realized the limitations... and didn't care. He much preferred to remain true to his art. If so, Murphy's Moore should be seen as a wonderful tribute to a skilled performer little known outside the world he decided to inhabit. If the viewer buys this, Dolemite is My Name is a stirring tribute. But if the viewer sees the subtle suggestions that he may have longed for more, the conclusion may be bittersweet.
Review of Dolemite Is My Name
