Search - Which Way Is Up? on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Not For Children, Adult Language, Adult Humor Movie Release: 1977 DVD Release: 05/21/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 35 mins Studio: Universal Studios Members Wishing: 3 Genres: Comedy, Farce

This Americanized remake of Lina Wertmuller's The Seduction of Mimi offered audiences the novelty of seeing Richard Pryor performing three different roles in the same film. Which Way Is Up? tells the tale of Leroy Jones (Pryor), a poor orange picker who gets fired from his job when he accidentally joins a worker's union during a demonstration. He is forced to travel to Los Angeles and abandon his family, which includes his wife, Annie Mae (Margaret Avery), and his perpetually randy father, Rufus (also Pryor). While there, he falls in love with labor organizer Vanetta (Lonette McKee), but is soon rehired by his former employers when they realize he is easily manipulated. Back home, Leroy discovers his new managerial role alienates him from his former friends as he tries to divide his time between Annie Mae and Vanetta. When he discovers Annie Mae has been impregnated by the Reverend Lennox Thomas (Pryor's 3rd role) during his absence, Leroy sets his sights on seducing Lennox's wife. The resulting film had ambition to spare, but was generally panned as an inferior remake by the critics and failed to find a mass audience. However, Which Way Is Up? gained a second lease on life via cable and home video and has become a cult favorite with Pryor's fans. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide

Richard Pryor - Leroy Jones
Richard Pryor - Rev. Thomas
Richard Pryor - Rufus Jones
Lonette McKee - Vanetta
Margaret Avery - Annie Mae
Morgan Woodward - Mr. Mann
Marilyn Coleman - Sister Sarah

Richard Pryor portrays multiple characters in Michael Schultz's comedy Which Way Is Up? That film comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio. The English soundtrack is solid, if less than spectacular. Fans of Pryor will certainly appreciate Universal making this film available. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide