Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling (1986)

55% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(3,129 ratings)

Popular African-American comedian Jo Jo Dancer is severely burned while free-basing cocaine. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists that the movie is not autobiographical. While hovering between life and death, Dancer flashes back to his childhood, when he grew up in a brothel.… More Popular African-American comedian Jo Jo Dancer is severely burned while free-basing cocaine. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists that the movie is not autobiographical. While hovering between life and death, Dancer flashes back to his childhood, when he grew up in a brothel. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists that the movie is not autobiographical. Dancer decides to become a comic, but has a great many difficulties rising to stardom until he begins making scatological comments about race relations. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists that the movie is not autobiographical. As he rises to fame, Jo Jo has problems controlling his drug addiction and womanizing. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists.....Well, you've caught on by now. If one were able to excise the excruciatingly boring "introspection" scene, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling would stand as an excellent testimonial to Richard Pryor's cutting-edge comic brilliance. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Richard Pryor
Written By: Rocco Urbisci, Paul Mooney, Richard Pryor, Rocco Urbishi
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: May 2, 1986 Wide
On DVD: Feb 19, 2002

Critic Reviews

Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Awesome!
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Completely forgettable
Jonathan R. Perry, Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)
The sorrow is real, the pity is palpable - but Richard Pryor should have let someone else film his life story.
Gil Jawetz, DVDTalk.com
The film is only able to give the slightest insight into a complicated life, but it is still worthwhile as an inside look at one of entertainment's most important figures.
Jeremy Heilman, Apollo Guide
If it hadn't been directed by its subject, it would have been a great disservice. As such, it's just a major disappointment.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

No Featured Audience Ratings Found…

Cast

            Richard Pryor as Jo Jo Dancer

            Debbie Allen as Michelle

            Art Evans as Arturo

            Fay Hauser as Grace

            Barbara Williams as Dawn

            Carmen McRae as Grandmother

            Paula Kelly as Satin Doll

            Diahnne Abbott as Mother

            Scoey Mitchell as Father

            Billy Eckstine as Johnny Barnett

            E'Lon Cox as Little Jo Jo

            Gary Allen as Male Heckler

            Jack Andreozzi as 1st Gangster

            Martin Azarow as 2nd Gangster

            J.J. Barry as Sal

            Tanya Boyd as Alicia

            Virginia Capers as Emma Ray

            Gloria Charles as Lady at Grandmother's House

            Frederick Coffin as Dr. Weissman

            Mary Bond Davis as Lady at Grandmother's House

            Dennis Farina as Freddy

            Ken Foree as Big Jake

            Michael Genovese as Gino

            Rod Gist as Manager

            Dennis Hayden as 1st Policeman

            Sam Hennings as 2nd Policeman

            Michael Ironside as Det. Lawrence

            Charles Knapp as Fat Man

            Joanna Lipari as Night Club Patron

            Valerie McIntosh as Lady at Gradmother's House

            Michael Prince as Screening Room Producer

            Beau Starr as Vito

            Marlene Warfield as Sonja

            Ludie Washington as Backstage Manager

            Dean Wein as Stage Hand

            Michael Williams as Raymond

            Wings Hauser as Cliff

            Rocco Urbisci as Screening Room Director

            Jimmy Binkley Group as Hose Band at Spencer's

            Richard Daugherty as 2nd John

            Charlie Dell as 1st John

            Howard L.W. Fortune as Hotel Bouncer

            Sig Frohlich as Ziggy

            Dr. Richard Grossman as Dr. Carlyle

            Teri Hafford as Olivia

            Alicia Shonte Harvey as Waitress

            Edwin Hausam as Desk Clerk

            Linda Hoy as Emergency Room Nurse

            Rashon Kahn as Bodyguard

            Jo Ann Mann as Madam

            Erika Marr as Showgirl

            Geraldine Mason as Showgirl

            Dorothy McLennan as Dorothy

            Angella Mitchell as Showgirl

            Tracy Morgan as Female Heckler

            Kiblena Peace as Joy

            Deon Pearson as Charlie

            Laura Rae as Dawn's Friend

            Edy Roberts as Madelyn

            Elizabeth Robinson as Secretary

            Roxanne Rolle as Showgirl

            Erastus Spencer as Mr. Spencer

            Dewayne Taylor as Boy on Bus

            Robin Torell as Michelle's Dance Partner

            Cheri Wells as Lady at Grandmother's House

            Reuben Cannon
            
            Bebe Drake as Angry Prostitute
See full cast

More Like This

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started