Harlem Nights

(1989)

Todd Says:

3.5 STARS

A gangster spoof that doesn't forget that a spoof is still a movie and therefore requires a plot. Eddie Murphy writes and directs this movie about a nightclub owner in Harlem who is being muscled out by the big Italian Mob. Equal parts comedy/action/crime drama, Harlem Nights is one of those over the top kind of movies that works.

The story and acting are great, which in itself sets this apart from most comedies. Eddie Murphy, as Eddie Murphy basically with his signature laugh/snort, stars as the nightclub owners son and psuedo-thug Quick. Honestly, this was just an alright performance by Murphy and by far the worst in the film. If Eddie had done half as good acting as he did writing and directing, this would have been a much better movie.

All in all though, this is a good fun comedy that is worth seeing.

Alexis says:

3 STARS

Harlem Nights was way funnier than I thought it was going to be, but then again Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor are about the funnies comedians of their time. Murphy does a great job writing and directing and his acting is about where it always is but he is still a funny guy. (are we really supposed to believe that Harlem Nights was made because Murphy wanted to star in a period piece or is that just another one of his jokes?).

The film is all around funny and well written, they don't jeopardize the film by failing to come up with a good, sturdy plot. Other than the f- word being thrown around a bit much this is one hilarious film. But then I would probably rather see a film making fun of gangsters than see another film about gangsters.