Wholly Moses!

I really liked this movie! It's a light satirical comedy. It doesn't try to be academy award material with a heavy story, overpowering special effects, or raw suspense, that seem to be the requirement to impress critics today. This movie achieves its goal very well; a couple of hours of zany humor. The comedic acting is very good, with a notable scene by Richard Pryor as Pharaoh. I really enjoyed Dudley Moore, Laraine Newman, and James Coco in this movie. There are also several funny celebrity cameos. The directing, film editing, camera work, and soundtrack were also very good. The humor has occasional adult content. If you want a break from heavy Hollywood blockbusters, and just want to enjoy an afternoon of chuckles and light humor, I recommend this movie.

Nor is it Brooks History of the World Part 1. This came out in between the two and as historical spoofs, it's pretty weak except for Dudley Moore. Moore is pretty good and his performance reminds me of a Lenny Bruce skit. In the bit, Christ comes back but Moses refuses to return. Why? Because Charlton Heston was 6'3" and he was 5'1" and he's vain! Dudley Moore can't be much taller than Bruce describes in the bit and Moses had a funny line or two in the bit so seeing Moore almost bring that bit alive just by being cast and his usual funny self keeps this from being a complete waste of time. There's better historical spoofs. Python is a hard act to follow but Brooks manages it. This one mostly falls flat..

This gets such a bad rap, but it is actually an interesting and amusing flick. With a cast including Dudley Moore, Richard Pryor, Madeline Kahn, and Dom Delouise, it has ample star power to get your viewing eyes and ears through with minimal disappointment. It may not be extremely well acted or directed, but the obvious improvisation acting is superb and carries the film. This movie does something rare to stay afloat, it never takes itself too seriously, even as comedies go. Perhaps not a great, but definitely a good flick, watch it once, you'll be glad you did. It's Dudley Moore and Richard Pryor for chrissake!! How could it be as bad as this site says it is??? It can't, and it is not, check it out.

The other reviewer obviously has no sense of humor. This is satire at it's funniest. Before her wedding, her sister told her that she and her Hershel would do what sheep do in the field. So, Zorelda went "baaaa" to her new husband. When Hershel found her in Sodomm, in her room were a pair of the giant's shorts hanging to dry...the size of a picture window. When Zorelda is turned into a pillar of salt, Hershel carries her around, then introduces her to his father, who immediately covers her with a cloth so his daughter-in-law won't get chipped. Richard Pryor as Pharroh is hilarious. And so is John Ritter as the Devil. And we even have a barbershop quartet clad in red and white striped togas. This is a fine cast of award-winning actors and actresses, and it's well worth your time to see it.

This film is for people with different tastes. I actually like this movie. In fact it's the only film I like of Dudley Moores. (RIP) It has a couple amusing moments, maybe not laugh out funny, but the comedy is restrained. Anyway I do recommend this movie for a Saturday afternoon, sort of along the lines of Abbott and Costello.

7 out of 10. I liked it.