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Which Way Is Up?

Play trailer Poster for Which Way Is Up? R Released Nov 9, 1977 1h 34m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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20% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Orange picker Leroy Jones (Richard Pryor) inadvertently becomes a union leader and is forced out of town, leaving behind his sexually obsessed father, Rufus (also Pryor), and spouse, Annie Mae (Margaret Avery). He heads for Los Angeles, where he falls for union organizer Vanetta (Lonette McKee). Annie Mae seeks solace from the local preacher, Lenox Thomas (also Pryor), who eventually impregnates her. When Leroy catches wind of this, he heads home for a showdown with Lenox.
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Which Way Is Up?

Critics Reviews

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Denise M. Holt Associated Press Richard Pryor's profane brand of humor used to be funny. But in his newest film, Which Way Is Up? he stoops to downright degradation. Oct 17, 2019 Full Review Steve Crum Video-Reviewmaster.com Clunky 1977 Richard Pryor comedy really looks dated now. Rated: 2/5 Apr 8, 2008 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Jul 31, 2005 Full Review Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice Rated: 2/5 Mar 27, 2004 Full Review Jonathan R. Perry Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas) Rated: 3/5 Aug 17, 2003 Full Review Bob Bloom Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN) Pryor should have stuck with concert films. Rated: 1/5 Aug 13, 2002 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ronnie A Like Jerry Lewis movies of old, this film is just a series of gags sewn together. The plot is very thin, and the direction and editing are atrocious. Now that I got that out out of the way, I throughly enjoyed it. The people that put this movie down obviously have problems with Pryor to begin with. As of sticking to his concert films and looking dated, this was the films problem from its inception, and no fault of Pryor's. Richard Pryor is a genius, the absolute top of the comedic heap! He is such a natural actor and his timing is impeccable. I laughed out loud many times and a smile never left my face throughout the film. We are blessed to have, even this, obviously not his best but funny nonetheless. Worth rewatching and that is the bottom line. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/21/23 Full Review delysid d hilarious film that must be richards best Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/12/21 Full Review Audience Member The critics hated it, but the people that actually took a chance to see it loved it. Personally I liked it better than Silver Streak, Stir Crazy, or Bustin' Loose. The movie gained popularity and evolved into a cult favorite by airing frequently on HBO/Cinemax, He plays three different characters in the movie and each is hilarious. To me this is Richard Pryor unfiltered and more true to his stand-up comedy. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member perfect example of music from movie gr8ter than movie itself Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member I liked it classic richard Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Richard Pryor hilariously portrays three characters--A Sleeper of a Comedy!! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Which Way Is Up?

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Which Way Is Up?

Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Assassination Attempt Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Assassination Attempt 2:06 Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - I Know What You Want Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - I Know What You Want 3:02 Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Excited Wife Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Excited Wife 1:57 Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - I've Got Another Woman Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - I've Got Another Woman 2:21 Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Just One Kiss Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Just One Kiss 2:48 Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - I'm Gonna Be on TV Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - I'm Gonna Be on TV 1:15 Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - The Preacher's Mistresses Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - The Preacher's Mistresses 3:08 Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - The Preacher's Wife's Revenge Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - The Preacher's Wife's Revenge 2:08 Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Meeting the Man Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Meeting the Man 3:06 Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Leroy & Sister Sarah Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Leroy & Sister Sarah 2:29 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Orange picker Leroy Jones (Richard Pryor) inadvertently becomes a union leader and is forced out of town, leaving behind his sexually obsessed father, Rufus (also Pryor), and spouse, Annie Mae (Margaret Avery). He heads for Los Angeles, where he falls for union organizer Vanetta (Lonette McKee). Annie Mae seeks solace from the local preacher, Lenox Thomas (also Pryor), who eventually impregnates her. When Leroy catches wind of this, he heads home for a showdown with Lenox.
Director
Michael Schultz
Producer
Steve Krantz
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 9, 1977, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 18, 2014
Runtime
1h 34m
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