"Eddie Murphy Raw" is a so-so comedy concert film, directed with verve by Robert Townsend, in which we first get a fictionalized look into the Murphy Household and see his comedy leanings begin to take hold.
Just personally speaking, this viewer didn't find Murphy's material all that funny - at first. It's true that, after a while, sexist slurs on Murphy's part mitigate against the fun. But two things are abundantly clear: Murphy really knew how to work a room, and he never fills ill at ease as he reaches into his grab bag of material. Murphy clearly delighted in working "blue", and he has a lot to say about supposed female monogamy, so his gags do have that appealing "dangerous" quality to them.
Eddie is actually at his best when he gives his impressions of opposing comics and mentors Bill Cosby, and Richard Pryor, the latter whom he dearly idolized. He also has a great old time playfully skewering the Italian-American stereotype, a character who really seemed to thrive in the wake of the "Rocky" movies.
The movie does sort of fade in the stretch, as Murphy basically goes over well-trod territory, complete with his usual abandonment. While this viewer personally may have never have laughed truly heartily, he respects the talent and confidence of a character like Murphy, a man who knows how to push audience buttons with glee - and yet, in the end, make a case for ones' mom when the chips are down.
Samuel L. Jackson has a telling, pre-stardom role during that early skit.
Six out of 10.
Just personally speaking, this viewer didn't find Murphy's material all that funny - at first. It's true that, after a while, sexist slurs on Murphy's part mitigate against the fun. But two things are abundantly clear: Murphy really knew how to work a room, and he never fills ill at ease as he reaches into his grab bag of material. Murphy clearly delighted in working "blue", and he has a lot to say about supposed female monogamy, so his gags do have that appealing "dangerous" quality to them.
Eddie is actually at his best when he gives his impressions of opposing comics and mentors Bill Cosby, and Richard Pryor, the latter whom he dearly idolized. He also has a great old time playfully skewering the Italian-American stereotype, a character who really seemed to thrive in the wake of the "Rocky" movies.
The movie does sort of fade in the stretch, as Murphy basically goes over well-trod territory, complete with his usual abandonment. While this viewer personally may have never have laughed truly heartily, he respects the talent and confidence of a character like Murphy, a man who knows how to push audience buttons with glee - and yet, in the end, make a case for ones' mom when the chips are down.
Samuel L. Jackson has a telling, pre-stardom role during that early skit.
Six out of 10.