"Being Eddie, a new Netflix documentary on Eddie Murphy, isn't his best movie. It isn't his worst. It's something to justify signing the 64-year-old to a $70m production deal in hopes that he might finally be moved to return to his standup comedy roots and deliver the long-anticipated follow-up to his seminal 1987 special Raw. With access to the subject and his archival material bought and paid for, Being Eddie is free to focus on other aspects of Murphy's life,"
"While the camera gawks at the spoils of Murphy's 40-plus year career, he remains at pains to tell viewers that his day-to-day routine isn't much different from theirs: he goes to work, hangs out with his family and falls asleep to MTV's Ridiculousness. He thinks it's the funniest show on TV, in fact, and would much rather binge that blooper series (which he likens to Alejandro Jodorowsky's avant-garde work) than reruns of his greatest hits."
"For confirmation, director Angus Wall starts out by consulting with other recipients of major Netflix deals: Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld. It's just hard to digest all this reverence for Murphy from comedians who have grown increasingly out touch and comfortable with punching down at marginalized groups. Their hero worship comes as Murphy heaps praise on Muhammad Ali for giving rise to a foundational generation of high-achieving Black Americans that also includes Oprah, Michael Jordan and Barack Obama."
Being Eddie presents Eddie Murphy at 64 with access to archival material and lavish footage of his gothic mansion and lifestyle. The film frames a $70m Netflix production deal and the hope that Murphy might return to stand-up following Raw. Murphy describes a quotidian routine, preferring to watch MTV's Ridiculousness and downplaying his celebrity. The film shows reverence from fellow comedians including Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld while interrogating the ethics of their praise. Murphy praises Muhammad Ali and reflects on a troubled Long Island childhood, early memories of parental fighting, the shift from hot comedian to sex symbol, and media comparisons with Richard Pryor.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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