Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling

R

Released May 2, 1986

1h 37m

Comedy

Drama

List

50%

16 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Although Jo Jo Dancer (Richard Pryor) has achieved success as a stand-up comedian, he hasn't found happiness. After receiving severe burns in a narcotics-related incident, Jo Jo remains in a coma, and, while in this state, he looks back on his life. Drifting off into memories of his troubled childhood, Jo Jo revisits his youth, recalling his eventual rise to fame and the decadence that followed. As he considers his existence, he must decide if he wants to go on living or not.

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Audience Member

One of my favorite films that nobody saw.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Classic 1986 film! Richard Pryor did a great directing his life story in this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

though writer/producer/director/star Richard Pryor insisted this pic isn't autobiographical its a case of art imitating life if u know what I mean, I liked this one though not pryor's best.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I've seen this movie many, many times and it never fails to move me. The complex life of Richard Pryor is shown in all its glory. I know he insisted this movie isn't an autobiography. While dramatized and not completely accurate, the plot walked with a man who entertained so many while dealing with personal demons. This film explained where he got his street vernacular and swagger. Many critics pass over this film as painful to watch. I find that interesting because I love to watch it. While not perfect, I think it makes important statements about pain, fame, and addiction. I miss Richard Pryor. His legacy is still felt in so much of our popular culture now. I just bought this movie on Amazon and I can't wait to watch it another 10 times.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Its a little weird but a good story.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It isn't the best directed film, but the film excels most when Pryor is allowed to illustrate very painful, true elements from his life (he maintains this film isn't autobiographical, but since he's pretty much the only black comedian raised in a brothel with several wives, a drug issue, and an accident that set him on fire while freebasing, it is clear that is not entirely accurate). Whether it be the burning accident that almost took his life (which frames most of this story), his destructive behavior in each of his many marriages, his conversion from a Bill Cosby type act to a dark and profane but brilliant social commentator, the film touches on these elements in a way that brings them to life and Pryor's comedic virtuosity is constantly evident. The film falls flat when it is pulled away from Richard, especially during the nightclub scenes, and the severely 80's soundtrack from Herbie Hancock is pretty camp at this point. It is a very flawed film with some secondary performances that are wildly forgettable and an "Its a Wonderful Life" type theme that has mixed results (sometimes its hilarious, sometimes heavy handed), but it still is a treat and a real insight for fans of the comedian.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

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Richard Pryor

Director

Richard Pryor

Jo Jo Dancer

Debbie Allen

Michelle

Carmen McRae

Grandmother

Art Evans

Arturo

Fay Hauser

Grace

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Peter Rainer

Los Angeles Herald Examiner

Watching it is like overhearing the patter of a close friend coming out of a delirium.

Aug 9, 2022

Full Review

Catherine Rambeau

Detroit Free Press

A disappointing waste of talented actors.

Rated: 4/10

Oct 27, 2021

Full Review

Richard Brody

New Yorker

Above all, Pryor emphasizes... Jo Jo's elusive selfhood-the fundamental problem of what performers who feel fully alive only while onstage or on camera do with the rest of their time.

Oct 25, 2021

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

It's much better than its reputation.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 2, 2021

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

First-time filmmaker Pryor delivers a predominantly tedious drama that's made all-the-more interminable by a hopelessly uninvolving structure...

Rated: 1/4

Nov 25, 2020

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Awesome!

Rated: 5/5

Oct 11, 2008

Full Review

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Synopsis

Although Jo Jo Dancer (Richard Pryor) has achieved success as a stand-up comedian, he hasn't found happiness. After receiving severe burns in a narcotics-related incident, Jo Jo remains in a coma, and, while in this state, he looks back on his life. Drifting off into memories of his troubled childhood, Jo Jo revisits his youth, recalling his eventual rise to fame and the decadence that followed. As he considers his existence, he must decide if he wants to go on living or not.

Director: Richard Pryor
Screenwriter: Rocco Urbisci, Paul Mooney, Richard Pryor
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Delphi V Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 2, 1986, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.4M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround

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