While I have heard of Dolemite before, I seemed to forget about it. A lot. It always seemed like a premise with some of the right ideas, but it never quite phased me on how perfect it could end up being. Dolemite is a legitimate Trash Epic about a guy who's got nothing who becomes a cult icon.

I'm glad Eddie Murphy finally went back to being raunchy. He plays it great and I love his arc. He dreams big and works shitty jobs, but then something about him snaps and he becomes something out of nothing.

I also love that this was a real story about a real guy who released albums, did photoshoots, created production companies and made shitty movies, and got his inspiration from bums on the street. If that's not the makings of a trash hero, then I don't know what is.


They really went all out for the time period, though. It feels authentic, and it was such a weird and wonderful time for art and pop culture. Our protagonist Rudy Ray Moore isn't the most convincing leading man, but he somehow convinces his producers that he is, and he gets away with anything and his ego doesn't take no for an answer. Somehow, these companies follow his directives, and the results are pretty shitty.


I followed the movie up with some Black Dynamite, because this is probably the kind of movie Rudy envisioned making. Black Dynamite is a perfect movie. I followed up that movie with the original Dolemite, and the execution leaves something to be desired, but the story behind it sure is wonderful.