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Eddie Murphy - Raw
So it is easy to look back and judge Eddie Murphy: Raw and be harsh. The material (sex, white people, The Man, etc.) has been covered countless times in similar fashions by today's comedians. Some of the material, especially the more homophobic segments, would probably not be accepted even in the relaxed moral atmosphere of the comedy club.
But it is nearly impossible to deny the influence that Murphy and his routines had on a host of today's comedians, and Raw is a solid documentation of his work.
Some of the choice quotes:
- On the 80s and STDs: "You can't keep messing around like you used to, because eventually your [penis] will fall off. Remember VD in the 60s? That [excrement] don't just sting no more."
- On dating and wealth: "Hey, I'm a target. If I ever get married, I have to go off to the woods of Africa and find me some naked, crazy, zebra [female dog]."
- On Human Nature: "All men [fornicate] other women. We are low by nature. We have to do it. … Men must find and conquer as much [feline] as they can."
There's also a sophomore slump to deal with here - Delirious is clearly Murphy's best stand up work. Maybe it is unfair to compare the two, but Raw lags far behind the earlier work (Delirious, however, is not available on DVD – an absolute travesty).
That being said, Raw does have it's fall-down funny moments. Modern day comedy audiences generally see celebrity impersonations as hack material, but Murphy manages to do not only decent impersonations, but also give them funny material. The extended bit about Bill Cosby calling Murphy and offering some unsolicited advice is priceless.
In addition, Murphy is hysterical when talking about his own life. The best comedy often comes from reflection on a comic's life, and Murphy's ruminations on fame and how it has affected his dating life are funny precisely because they are unique. They are from his life, not from observing other people.
The DVD
Video:
Eddie Murphy: Raw is presented in anamorphic widescreen. The film is 17 years old, but looks older – specks pop up throughout the transfer and the stage lights create a white edge on the curtains that is then consumed by noise.
Sound:
A Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack is included. The crowd noise, at times, can overwhelm Murphy, but otherwise he is easy to understand.
Extras:
English subtitles are available. They are accurate, but ridiculous; slang always looks stupid when written out.
Otherwise, there are no features of any consequence.
Final Thoughts:
Remember back when Eddie Murphy was funny? It's hard to; looking at his recent film career, you could argue he hasn't done a funny non-animated film since Bowfinger in 1999. While Eddie Murphy: Raw isn't the best example of what he is capable of, it is a nice reminder. Or, at least, a nice enough reminder until Delirious comes to the DVD format.
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