Monday, August 4, 2008

Ritchie

Author(s): Tony
Location: Pittsburgh

"Ritchie”

Directed by Spike Lee
Written by Brian Helgeland and Spike Lee
Produced by Bill Carraro
Music by Thomas Newman

Principal Cast:

Cuba Gooding JR as Richard Pryor
Emily Watson as Jennifer Lee Pryor
Peter Billingsley as Gene Wilder
Ewan McGregor as George Carlin
Keith David as LeRoy Pryor
Alfre Woodard as Gertude Thomas
Irma P. Hall as Marie Carter
Kimberly Elise as Patricia Price
Eve as Shelly Bonis
Regina King as Deborah McGuire
Melissa Sagemiller as Flynn Belaine
Jaden Smith as Young Richard

Tagline: "At the end, he had a smile on his face" - Jennifer Lee Pryor

Synopsis: When it comes to comedians, there are two ways of life, on-stage and off-stage. On-stage Richard Pryor was considered one of the greatest and most influential comedians of all time. Mostly known for his racial skits and vulgar language, Pryor was recognized as the godfather for African American comedians. He was accurate with his delivery and straight forward with his beliefs. But off-stage lived a troubled, gloomy soul.

It started in 1940 when Pryor was born, the mother (Gertude) being a prostitute and his father an ex-boxer and WWII vet (LeRoy) who was Gertude's husband and pimp. Abandoned by Gertude at age 10, he was left with his grandmother Marie Carter. Unfortunately the trouble didn't end for Richard during his childhood, he would later be molested by his neighbor across the street. In 1960, he served in the Army, where he and other black soldiers stabbed a white soldier who was amused with racism.

Pryor started in small clubs with his stand-up, which eventually led to TV programs, college campuses, and movie contracts, due to his controversial attitude towards his comedy, but also his lovable character. He would work along side Gene Wilder in several films including "Silver Streak" and "See No Evil, Hear No Evil". He would also star in "Car Wash" a film in which he co-starred with fellow controversial comedian legend George Carlin.

As Richard's comedy legacy grew so did his proposals. He was married seven times to five different women (Price, Bonis, McGuire, Lee, Belaine, Belaine, and Lee), and had seven overall children, Lee being his closest wife. It was Lee though that accused him of beating and strangling her in their first marriage, and the troubles didn't stop. In 1980 Pryor was accidently set on fire by himself, due to free basing cocaine. Pryor then later reported
the fire wasn't accidental, but rather suicidal. Later on Pryor used this material in his comedy, joking about the fire, and his drug addiction.

It would be the beginning of the end for Ritchie in 1986 when he learned he had been suffering from multiple sclerosis, afterwards he would then give up drugs, claiming "MS saved my life", but it would also end it. In 2001 he remarried with his true love Jennifer Lee Pryor and lived a wonderful life together. However his condition would worsen. In 2004 Richard was in need of a wheelchair, and could barely talk anymore. In 2005, at the age of
65, Pryor would die of cardiac arrest. The final shot of the film is Pryor fading away with a smile. Jennifer Lee stated "At the end, he had a smile on his face".

Rated "R" for pervasive offensive language, thematic elements, drug use, and a scene of violence
Runtime: 2 hours and 20 minutes (Drama)

What the press would say:

"Ritchie" is easily one of the most emotionally drawn films of the year. Spike Lee hits another one out of the ballpark with his latest biopic masterpiece. Obviously after "Malcolm X" we saw Lee's vision on how to make a faultless feature, and he prevails once more. Cuba Gooding JR has been away from the scene a while, but look no further, JR delivers another supreme performance with a perplexed character. Cuba takes us on a ride we're not sure we want to get on or off of. He delivers with mixed feelings throughout, where when he's on stage and shows his pinpoint accuracy of the role. Where as if we can close our eyes and think Ritchie was still here with us, or he'll deliver a packed punch full of emotions and intensity off-stage. Not only having to study this role, but to study a disease is even more challenging. The last 15 minutes in the wheelchair is tough to get through. Peter Billingsley is spot on with his role as acting legend Gene Wilder. Hard to believe this is the kid that warmed our hearts in "A Christmas Story", Peter has matured and grown up vividly, they couldn't have found a more perfect fit. Of course what more can be said about Emily Watson that hasn't already been said. As this film progresses so does her character and powerful presence. Watson and Gooding JR have terrific chemistry together and that Oscar monkey just may fall unrelentlessly off her shoulders as she gives a hard earned performance. Although this film does provide quality humor, it's more set on the dramatic aspect and what people didn't know about Pryor that was overshadowed by his stand-up antics. If you want powerful performances, a flawless script, and a film you'll be talking about for months, "Ritchie" is your ticket.

Possible Nominations:

Best Picture - Brian Helgeland, Spike Lee, and Bill Carraro
Best Director - Spike Lee
Best Actor - Cuba Gooding JR
Best Supporting Actor - Peter Billingsley
Best Supporting Actress - Emily Watson
Best Original Screenplay - Brian Helgeland and Spike Lee
Best Film Editing

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