Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Director: Richard Pryor
Actors: Richard Pryor, Debbie Allen, Art Evans
PlotA successful stand-up comedian, celebrated for his sharp wit and unapologetic humor, finds himself grappling with the darker sides of fame and his personal demons. The story begins as he experiences a terrible accident that leaves him severely burned, both physically and emotionally. While confined to a hospital bed, he undergoes an out-of-body experience that forces him to reflect on his tumultuous life. He looks back at his childhood, growing up in a brothel under the watchful eye of his grandmother, who played a significant but complex role in his upbringing. These formative years are rife with hardship and confusion, setting the stage for his later struggles with identity and self-worth.
As he rewinds through his memories, he revisits key moments that chart his rise to fame, including his breakout performances and the allure of the comedy circuit. Alongside success, however, comes a relentless spiral into substance abuse and broken relationships. These glimpses into his past depict both the euphoria of standing in the spotlight and the profound loneliness that shadows it. The introspection becomes an emotional voyage where he confronts his failures and the personal cost of his career. By re-examining these pivotal episodes, he seeks to find redemption and meaning, questioning whether there is still time for recovery and change before it’s too late.
Writers: Rocco Urbisci, Paul Mooney, Richard Pryor
Release Date: 02 May 1986
Runtime: 97 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English
Physical Media Reviews
Criterion's 4K UHD release of 'Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling' offers superb HDR transfer and restoration, highlighting Pryor's intimate, fearless vision.