Which Way Is Up?

I first saw "Which Way is Up" on TV in the 80's, but the unedited version is superior. Richard Pryor plays three roles flawlessly in this moral tale of life,love, frailty, honor, and temptation. By chance he goes from a migrant worker, to a union hero, to a corporate pawn, while events occur and his life gets more and more complex. Hilarious as Loroy , the fruit picker turned corporation man, and his wild Father, and a shady Reverend. A must see for Richard Pryor fans and movie lovers. Lonette Mckee, his lady, is beautiful.Actually the casting was excellent throughout. Rent this one soon ! It will definitely leave an impression, as well as make you laugh a lot.

Richard had that effect on me! When he was on there has never been anyone who could cause me laugh harder or gasping for breath longer. Dave Chappelle came close, George Carlin was in the neighborhood (he was a bit more cerebral later in his career), Eddie Murphy could from time to time, but for pure standup perfection and improvisation Richard Pryor ruled and for me he always will. He played three roles in 'Which Way is Up', one as funny as the other. However perhaps the Preacher role (Reverend Lennox Thomas) especially for the roles pure unadulterated hypocrisy due to the "Reverends" unchecked ardor and avarice (remind you of any of the Evangelists of today?) made me laugh the most but this whole movie was funny from beginning to end. Richard you left us too early, miss you man!

Richard Pryor assumes three roles in a farce about a California orange picker, and boy does Pryor have great acting versatility! Pryor first becomes a labor union hero then a corporate womanizing flunky. Pryor is at his best as the grumpy old man father this is one of the funniest roles I have ever seen Pryor play. This is a film that shows that sometimes life can take on great changes in the way of family, relationships, jobs, and status. Only in the end to once again return to our beginnings to understand my comments watch the film you will see what I mean. To sum it up you will enjoy this nice comedy if your a Pryor fan you will really appreciate his versatile ability as an actor!

Between 1975 and 1978,Richard Pryor was at the top of his creative game and this 1977 film was one of his best and one of his most underrated.In this film,Pryor assumes three roles(a fruit picker turned corporate flunky,his randy father and a shady preacher).A must see for any pryor fan.I recently saw this film again on BET Movies and I laughed just as hard as I did on the first viewing in 1977.Check it out.

For anyone wanting to experience the comic genius which was Richard Pryor, this movie is the starting point. This movie is often neglected. Most bios of Richard Pryor emphasize his concert films, many of which are good and hilarious. Some bios point out to his other movies like Car Wash; but his role in this particular film was far too brief, and was really a cameo appearance. Others cite movies like Stir Crazy or The Toy. However, in these movies his comic genius was either trivialized or squandered.

In this movie he was able to display the fullest array of his talent in one place. Pryor plays three roles in this movie. In the first role he plays the protagonist who is driven away from his home by corporation thugs, makes his life in the big city and returns home with his new spouse and the now changed family that he left behind. The plot and the protagonist is loosely based on the Lina Wertmuller film, The Seduction of Mimi. In the second role, he plays his father, which in reality is a concert character which is based on his own invention, Mudbone. In the third role he plays the Minister Lennox, another familiar Pryor invention.

The movie does have some drawbacks, primarily of which is the music, which is a faux-disco Hollywood standard soundtrack. At times, the movie seems a bit dated. What is not dated is the humor. The movie is hilarious and a showcase of the many sides of Richard Pryor. While Richard Pryor will be missed, this movie should not.