Richard Pryor, a name synonymous with comedic brilliance and unflinching honesty, ventured into directing with the 1986 film, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling. This semi-autobiographical movie offers a poignant, albeit flawed, look into the life of a comedian grappling with fame, addiction, and self-destruction. While perhaps not a box-office smash upon its release and somewhat overlooked today, Jo Jo Dancer movie provides a compelling cinematic experience for those interested in Pryor’s life and work.
Movie still from Jo Jo Dancer featuring Richard Pryor – A scene from the semi-autobiographical film Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling directed by Richard Pryor.
Directed by, written by, and starring Pryor, Jo Jo Dancer pulls no punches in depicting the comedian Jo Jo Dancer’s tumultuous journey. The film opens with Jo Jo, a successful stand-up comedian – unmistakably Pryor himself – in his opulent Hollywood home. Despite outward appearances of success, inner turmoil brews. A phone call to a drug dealer sets the stage, quickly followed by a violent outburst and a descent into freebasing cocaine, mirroring Pryor’s own infamous burn incident. This event serves as the catalyst for the film’s narrative, as Jo Jo, lying severely burned in a hospital bed, encounters his alter ego.
This alter ego becomes the vehicle for exploring Jo Jo’s past. Through flashbacks, we are transported to Jo Jo’s challenging upbringing in Morton, Ohio. Raised in a brothel run by his grandmother, with his mother working as a prostitute, Jo Jo’s early life is marked by a lack of conventional affection and a confusing relationship with vices. The film portrays his complex family dynamics, including a strained relationship with his stepfather after his mother remarries and Jo Jo’s subsequent escape into the world of entertainment.
The narrative traces Jo Jo’s early struggles to find his comedic voice. Initially failing to connect with audiences, he discovers his breakthrough style by confronting hecklers with raw, unfiltered honesty and often vulgar humor. This pivotal moment marks the beginning of his ascent in the comedy world. Interestingly, some of the most heartwarming scenes in Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling depict the formation of a surrogate family at a down-and-out nightclub. Here, Jo Jo finds camaraderie with a stripper named Satin Doll, a seasoned comedian named Johnny, and Arturo, a performer with a stutter who incorporates it into his act. This period of relative stability is disrupted when Jo Jo, in drag, jokingly threatens his exploitative bosses with a toy gun, leading to his departure from the club.
As Jo Jo Dancer movie progresses, it mirrors the common biopic pitfall of attempting to cover too much ground within a limited timeframe. Jo Jo’s first marriage to Dawn, a white woman, is portrayed as being built on mutual exchange of perspectives, yet it quickly unravels amidst drug-fueled parties and infidelity. The film swiftly moves through key relationships and life events, sometimes sacrificing depth for breadth. One moment Jo Jo’s alter ego is questioning him about meeting Michelle, and the next, he is captivated by her dancing in a club.
Despite these narrative compressions, Pryor masterfully captures raw emotion and authentic moments. The chaotic party scene stands out as a cinematic highlight. Minimal dialogue, coupled with evocative music and staging, portrays the intoxicating and destructive nature of drug use and relationship strain. We witness flirting, arguing, and the eventual eruption into violence, all underscored by a palpable sense of impending disaster.
However, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling doesn’t fully delve into the complex relationship between Pryor’s substance abuse and his creative genius. While it hints at the self-destructive patterns, it stops short of a deeper exploration of how these elements intertwined in his life and art. The alter ego device, while intended to provide introspection, occasionally feels somewhat clunky, mirroring the slightly awkward phrasing of the film’s title itself.
Despite its shortcomings, Jo Jo Dancer remains a powerful and intensely personal film. Pryor’s raw energy, familiar from his stand-up performances, permeates every frame. The movie serves as a cathartic expression, a fearless look into his own vulnerabilities and struggles. While perhaps not a perfectly polished biopic, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling offers invaluable insights into the life of Richard Pryor, the man behind the comedic legend. For fans of Pryor and those interested in a raw and honest portrayal of addiction and self-discovery, Jo Jo Dancer movie is definitely worth seeking out.
Availability: As of this writing, Movie Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling is available for streaming on Plex TV, offering a free opportunity to experience this unique film.
Starring: Richard Pryor, Barbara Williams, Debbie Allen, Paula Doll, Art Evans, and Billy Eckstine. Directed by: Richard Pryor.
