Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling

Richard Pryor has never been one to shy away from his skeletons in the closet. He would take his personal demons and use them as stand up material. After a free basing incident, where he set himself on fire and almost ended his life, he not only used the tragedy for a comedy routine in his now famous Live On The Sunset Strip performance, but also in his most personal performance on film in 1986's Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling.

In this semi autobiographical film, Pryor plays Jo Jo Dancer, a world famous stand up comic and actor. The film opens with Jo Jo high as a kite from free basing. In his drug fueled state, Jo Jo decides to end it all and sets himself on fire. Severely burned and in a coma, his spirit leaves his body and revisits his life. Starting as a child growing up in a whorehouse, to his days as a struggling comic. As he rises to the top of the comedy world, Jo Jo declines into a world of drug abuse and womanizing which has lead him to his self destruction.

Even though he is basically playing himself, Pryor gives the best dramatic performance of his career. He also directed and co wrote the screenplay with long time collaberator Paul Mooney. This movie is a perfect example of why Pryor was such an intersting performer. Where others might shy away from their sordid lives, Pryor embraces it and makes it work for him. He really turns lemons into lemonade.

There's a new movie being shot now about Pryor's life with Mike Epps in the lead. It could be good, but I think it's going to be hard to top Jo Jo Dancer.

It's available on dvd.