Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling

Customer Reviews:

A GOOD EXPERIENCE.......2006-02-18

ITS RICHARD PRYOR THERES NO MORE TO SAY IT DIDNT HAVE TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE FILM BUT THE SKITS SHOWED A SIDE OF PRYOR THAT WAS REAL A PART OF HIS LIFE THAT HE REGRETS BUT KNOWS THAT IT MADE HIM SMARTER

The Life and Times of Richard Pryor.......2005-12-14

Basically, my title sums it up. Richard Pryor plays pretty much himself here (why he chose the non de plume "Jo Jo Dancer" was probably to change the names of all characters in the film to protect the innocent). Aside from his army days and getting kicked out of school, as much of the major stuff that could be compressed in 2 hrs is here-growing up in the house of prostitution, the effect this had on his psyche, his troubled relationship with his father (it's really sad and embarrassing to watch a grown Pryor get cursed and slapped around by his Dad in front of his young wife), his early struggles in showbiz, drking and dope problems, etc. etc.

But Pryor's sermon near the end is a relavation and would have been a perfect coda to end his comedy career in films (this film was made at the time he began to get the symptoms of MS). Sadly, later abominations such as "Another You," "Moving," "Critical Condition," and "Harlem Nights" (REALLY tragic considering the talent involved) did not do well for his legacy. But if you stop here, this is a great way to remember the genius that was Richard Pryor (RIP).

Richard Pryor, up close and personal.......2005-12-13

Watching "Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling" is a bit like being in a bar, sitting next to a total stranger who begins to tell you his life story. It's an uncomfortable situation and you find yourself alternately embarrased and appalled, but totally engrossed and ultimately sympathic to this man's plight. You begin to wonder how a man who has suffered so much can produce so many laughs.
The movie is autobiographical, with artistic license taken from time to time, but it really gets at the soul of the man who was Richard Pryor. Many Pryor fans may be shocked -- not at the language, but with the emotional frankness with which Richard reveals himself. And he admits that he has brought much sorrow on himself and the ones who have loved him.
Casual fans will probably be put off by the lack of laughs, but those willing to dig a little deeper will come away with an understanding of Pryor and the pain that he was able to forge into incredible comedy -- comedy that exposed more truth about society than many artists, philosophers, writers, or social reformers of the 20th century.

TWO THUMBS UP!!!.......2004-09-12

This move is absolutely horrible...I don't know why he even took tha time out his life to make this piece of junk...

WHAT!

I'm playing with yall...I really, really, REALLY enjoyed this movie. I love movies that go beyond tha stars...telling what happens when tha cameras are not rolling in a star's life...

I like tha other beyond tha stars movies like, The Temptations, The Ernest Green Story....but this one is my favorite cuz Richard is my favorite comedian...actually, he's tha GREATEST OF ALL TIME!

If you haven't seen it...watch it...if you have seen it...watch it again...cuz it's that good...and I give it TWO THUMBS WAY UP!

RICHARD'S STORY.......2004-09-07

I LOVE THIS MAN HE IS FAVORITE COMEDIAN OF ALL-TIME. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED AND ENJOYED RICHARD. THIS IS HIS BIOGRAPHICAL STORY. IT IS WARM, AND TOUCHING. THIS MOVIE SHOWS HOW HE GOT HIS START I LOVE RICHARD PRYOR AND I ALWAYS WILL HE IS MY FAVORITE COMEDIAN OF ALL-TIME NO ONE CAN DO IT BETTER THAN RICHARD IN MY EYES.

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