Eddie Murphy makes filth feel good in 'Dolemite Is My Name'

I always say that if a biopic is good you'll find yourself wanting to do more reading and exploring about the subject after the movie is over. Well, after watching Eddie Murphy's infectious new movie Dolemite Is My Name  I am even more curious about Rudy Ray Moore than I was before.

I was vaguely aware of Moore -- had scene moments from the real movie Dolemite, but couldn't tell you what it was about. I knew he was a cult figure, beloved in the hip-hop community (it's easy to see why once you see this movie) and ironically appreciated by hipsters.

But, at least if this movie is to be believed, he was something more. Murphy plays him as a kind of black Ed Wood, shameless and earnest at the same time. The movie pulls off a bit of a magic trick amid the current debate over woke vs. unwoke comedy, it gets to be raucously raunchy and yet somehow heartwarming at the same time.

A lot of the credit for that goes to Murphy, who finally has a role after about 20 years that is up to his talents. He has never let himself be this vulnerable on screen (not only did he put on a bunch of weight but shaves back his hairline too) and it pays off hugely.

When his Moore discovers the virtues and fun of talking filthy, it's not just liberating for him, it's liberating for the audience too. And since the film is set safely in the 1970s we think less about how problematic Moore's act is and more of how ingenious he was at delivering it.

His sing song sayings sound like hip-hop boasts filtered through the voice of some back alley preacher turned pimp. And off-screen, Murphy's Moore is a bit of a puppy dog, albeit one haunted by some serious demons from his past.

This was apparently a passion project for Murphy and it shows. He calls in favors from a who's who of black comics who emerged in his wake like Chris Rock, Craig Robinson, Keegan Michael-Key and Mike Epps, just to name a few. The soundtrack is fantastic, and so are the costumes. It's simply the most fully realized movie and role he's had in decades.

The film itself isn't doing anything too special to reinvent the genre, and its small scale nature is perfectly suited to Netflix's streaming collection. But this film is a cut above much of what you'll find there. For hardcore Murphy fans like me it's proof positive that not only does he still have gas in the tank but he has new turns he can take as an actor, shades we still have yet to see.

There is talk of Murphy being a sentimental favorite for a Best Actor nom for his performance here. I mean if Robert Downey Jr can get one for his goofy work in Tropic Thunder, I don't see why not. He may not squeeze in since the competition this year is very fierce, but nomination of not, this will be one of the comedies Murphy will want to be remembered for.