Eddie Murphy sparks Oscar buzz with Netflix biopic Dolemite is My Name
Not only does Murphy’s Netflix biopic mark his return to the big screen, it could secure his second Oscar nomination since Dreamgirls.
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Netflix film Dolemite Is My Name could be the start of an Eddie Murphy renaissance if the rave reviews are anything to go by.
The biopic, which follows the story of 1970s comedy icon Rudy Ray Moore and his larger-than-life pimp character Dolemite, dropped on the streaming service on Friday night to instant praise on social media.
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The reviews — from both fans and critics — have already sparked Oscar buzz for the 58-year-old actor and former SNL cast member, calling it a long-awaited comeback for the A-lister.
“Dolemite Is My Name is AN AMAZING MOVIE. Eddie Murphy glues your eyes to the screen. And Wesley Snipes was hysterical. So so so good. Oscars please!,” one fan tweeted.
Meanwhile, it has scored 97 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, with the New York Post describing it as “deliriously funny” and a “blast from start to finish” in its glowing four-star review.
Dolemite Is My Name is a ferociously funny and heartfelt ode to the power of cinema with a gloriously silly and sincere performance from Eddie Murphy that proves he’s still got it. Rudy Ray Moore would be proud. pic.twitter.com/uK4DH0OrqA
— Frankie Gilmore (@franklygilmore) October 25, 2019
DOLEMITE IS MY NAME is out on Netflix today and it's one of the best films of the year. Funny, with a huge heart, gorgeous to look at, the best Eddie Murphy and Wesley Snipes performances in ages and the introduction to the amazing Da'Vine Joy Randolph. #DolemiteIsMyName
— Erik Anderson (@awards_watch) October 25, 2019
Dolemite Is My Name is AN AMAZING MOVIE. Eddie Murphy glues your eyes to the screen. And Wesley Snipes was hysterical. So so so good. Oscars please! pic.twitter.com/lZFv5RbyLF
— BettythePaul (@beckyjpaul) October 25, 2019
'Dolemite Is My Name' was awesome!
— E. (@ElaineOmozusi) October 25, 2019
It was so good to see Eddie Murphy so electrifying again!
It felt like his heart and soul was in it, and I was so happy.
A genuine feel-good movie, and it was great to learn about the original Dolemite.
Amazing.
The film follows the career beginnings of Rudy Ray Moore, a struggling musician and comedian-turned cult figure and ‘Godfather of Rap’.
Moore adopted the persona of a pimp named Dolemite in his early comedy act, releasing a record by the fictional character called Eat Out More Often in 1970, before co-writing 1975 American blaxploitation crime film Dolemite.
Written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story) and directed by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow and TV’s Empire) Dolemite is My Name also stars Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps and Wesley Snipes, with cameos by Chris Rock and Snoop Dogg — who cites Moore as an inspiration.
If he does score an Oscar nod it would be Murphy’s second nomination, 13 years after he was up for supporting actor for Dreamgirls.
Dolemite is My Name is available for streaming on Netflix now
Originally published as Eddie Murphy sparks Oscar buzz with Netflix biopic Dolemite is My Name