How difficult is it to photograph one man on stage? Apparently very difficult for this poorly shot film. Ernest Dickerson who has done some good work with Spike Lee, falters under Robert Townsend's inept direction. With all those cameras going, you would think they would choose more than one shot. Every camera seems to get a shot of Murphy from the waist up. Given the directors that Townsend had worked under up until that time (not to mention having already shot his own film), you would think he would have learned something about shot selection. Apparently not, although his technique has improved slightly over the years. Also, the lighting in the film is very murky. Dickerson didn't do a decent job lighting a color film until DO THE RIGHT THING.
Then there is Eddie Murphy's performance. He's mildly funny through most of the film, but in the latter third Murphy's routine disintegrates into a paranoid tirade about his fear of being financially taken advantage of by women. When this part kicks in, you're best to go for the popcorn or the nearest exit quick. This film is strictly for die-hard Eddie Murphy fans.
Then there is Eddie Murphy's performance. He's mildly funny through most of the film, but in the latter third Murphy's routine disintegrates into a paranoid tirade about his fear of being financially taken advantage of by women. When this part kicks in, you're best to go for the popcorn or the nearest exit quick. This film is strictly for die-hard Eddie Murphy fans.