Which Way Is Up?

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Which Way Is Up?

R

1977

1h 34m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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

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Glenn

He impregnated the preachers wife .. the congregation chased the preacher and he was run over by a tour bus. He was buried in a flat casket.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/19/25

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James A

One of Pryor's best movies imo!!! Can't believe rotten tomatoes only gave it a 20%!!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

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

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Michael Schultz

Director

Richard Pryor

Leroy Jones

Lonette McKee

Vanetta

Margaret Avery

Annie Mae

Morgan Woodward

Mr. Mann

Marilyn Coleman

Sister Sarah

Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Assassination Attempt

2:06

Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - I Know What You Want

3:02

Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Excited Wife

1:57

Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - I've Got Another Woman

2:21

Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Just One Kiss

2:48

Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - I'm Gonna Be on TV

1:15

Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - The Preacher's Mistresses

3:08

Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - The Preacher's Wife's Revenge

2:08

Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Meeting the Man

3:06

Which Way Is Up?: Official Clip - Leroy & Sister Sarah

2:29

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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
Screenwriter: Carl Gottlieb, Cecil Brown
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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