My next monthly Nick's Pix series is the 1992 Eddie Murphy comedy "Boomerang," directed by Reginald Hudlin, featuring an all-star lineup of comedy greats.
This one-night-only screening is Wed. November 13th at Classic Cinema's Lake Theater in Oak Park. Get your tickets here! One Murphy's best movies and a personal favorite of mine.
Eddie Murphy in the 1980s
There was a period in the 1980s when everything Eddie Murphy touched turned to gold. He dominated the box office with two Beverly Hills Cop movies and films like "48 Hrs." "Trading Places," "The Golden Child," and "Coming to America."
Riding high on those successes and sporting a massive ego and narcissism of biblical proportions, Murphy wrote, directed, and starred in the expensive period film and massive vanity project "Harlem Nights" (1989).
The film, which co-starred African-American comedy icons Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx, should have celebrated three generations of great black comedians. Instead, it was an offensively misogynistic mess that spent most of its running time stroking Murphy's self-importance while completely ignoring Foxx and Pryor.
He followed that a year later with the bloated and completely unnecessary sequel "Another 48 Hrs." He insisted on having top billing over co-star Nick Nolte and was, by all accounts, an absolute nightmare on the set. That sequel also turned out to be terrible.
I vividly remember reading Murphy's Playboy Interview in February 1990. His shocking arrogance, flippant misogyny, and spoiled-rotten attitude during that interview made me so angry that I wrote a letter to the editor (which got published in the next month's issue) saying that I was done with Murphy.
Murphy was still young (late 20s) at this point, but his horrible reputation and two big box office bombs in a row tarnished his celebrity. He took a couple years off and stayed out of the spotlight.
Eddie Murphy entered his 30s ready for change, and he needed it. He needed a hit. He needed something.
Boomerang (1992)
That something was "Boomerang," a film whose central character is a rich, successful, egotistical, self-absorbed womanizer who gets his comeuppance. Unsurprisingly, Murphy came up with the story.
Murphy hired his old writing partners from SNL, David Sheffield, and Barry Blaustein, to write the screenplay. He hired hot new director Reggie Hudlin, who was coming off his excellent directorial debut, "House Party," to make the movie.
Eddie clearly wanted to exorcise demons, confront his past, embrace his African-American roots, shine a huge light on some funny co-stars, and get some much-needed laughs.
He did all of that and more with this terrific movie.
I'm not going to get into the details of the plot of "Boomerang," nor will I give away any of the truly hilarious scenes in the film (and there are A LOT of hilarious scenes). All I will say is that Murphy truly shines and has rarely seemed happier on-screen than he appears to be in "Boomerang."
Boomerang is not only a great place to witness Murphy and his overwhelming charm, but it is also a fantastic showcase for his co-stars, who include such sharp comedic talents as David Alan Grier, Martin Lawrence, Chris Rock, Geoffrey Holder, and the legendary stand-up comic John Witherspoon, who completely steals the show as Grier's father, a man who likes to coordinate his wardrobe.
Then there are the women of "Boomerang," and they are a marvel to behold, especially since women were NEVER highlighted in Eddie Murphy movies until this point.
Robin Givens is brilliant, sharp, and sexy as hell as the love interest who will teach Murphy's character a lesson. Halle Berry (who, at the time, was coming off of a remarkable performance in Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever") is sweet, funny, and intelligent as an independent, sensible co-worker.
Tisha Campbell is absolutely drop-dead hilarious as a next-door neighbor who knows what a dog Murphy's character really is. While legends like Grace Jones, Bebe Drake, and Eartha Kitt (!!!!) get to have a blast playing well-written, juicy, and unbelievably amusing roles.
Hudlin's direction is smart and efficient, with a knowing balance between broad comedy, rom-com elements, and potent satire. The director also brings a refreshingly authentic portrayal of a culturally specific African-American milieu to the film. From the music to the fashion to the dialogue, this is one of the few Eddie Murphy vehicles to fully embrace those elements.
On the simplest of levels, "Boomerang" is a really funny and entertaining movie that will make you laugh and have a good time for two hours. It is also a beautifully made, intelligently written comedic comeback for Eddie Murphy, who did some self-reflection, made some changes, and released this unique movie at the perfect time in his career and life.
My November 'Nick's Pix'
I can't wait to share "Boomerang" with you at Classic Cinema's Lake Theater in Oak Park on Wednesday, November 13th, at 7 p.m. Get your tickets (only $9) HERE!
I'll give a brief introduction, we'll watch the film together (digitally remastered on the big screen), and I'll lead a discussion afterward.
There will also be some trivia and prizes given away, including amazing chocolates from ROYCE Chocolate!
Please come, but if you can't make it in person, the movie is available for streaming, DVD, Blu-ray, and HD.
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