Everyone in the cast gives wonderful performances. While Eddy Murphy doesn’t meticulously approximate Moore, he infuses his own essence with Moore’s to create a fun, earnest, and likeable character to root for while being true to the real life Rudy Ray Moore. Wesley Snipes also stands out as real life actor/director D'Urville Martin. His mix of frustration, ego, and begrudging respect for Moore is brought to life with Snipes specific energy and demeanor. Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Lady Reid also stands out, bringing warmth, humor, vulnerability and strength as she adopts Moore’s style of comedy and even makes it her own.
The overall style of the film complements this with a warm and inviting color palette alongside the set and costume design wonderfully painting the vision of the 1970s. While the film isn ‘t heavily stylized, neither were Rudy Ray Moore’s films. It’s efficient and to the point.
Works Cited
“Dolemite.” IMDb, IMDb.com, 26 Apr. 1975, www.imdb.com/title/tt0072895/?ref_=nv_sr_2%3Fref_.
“Dolemite Is My Name.” IMDb, IMDb.com, 11 Oct. 2019, www.imdb.com/title/tt8526872/?ref_=nv_sr_1%3Fref_.
“Ed Wood.” IMDb, IMDb.com, 7 Oct. 1994, www.imdb.com/title/tt0109707/?ref_=nv_sr_1%3Fref_.