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Which Way Is Up? (1977)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 3.7/10
Reviews Counted: 10
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 8

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Release Date: Jan 1, 1977 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 2,005

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Movie Info

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

R, 1 hr. 35 min.

Comedy

Directed By: Michael Schultz

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1977 Wide

On DVD: May 21, 2002

Cast

Richard Pryor
Leroy Jones, Rev. Thoma...
Lonette McKee
Vanetta
Margaret Avery
Annie Mae
Morgan Woodward
Mr. Mann
Marilyn Coleman
Sister Sarah
Bebe Drake
Thelma
Gloria Edwards
Janelle
Ernesto Hernandez
Reyes Boy
Diane Rodrigues
Estrella
Daniel Valdez
Chuy Estrada
DeWayne Jessie
Sugar
Morgan Roberts
Henry
Dolph Sweet
The Boss
Luis Valdez
Ramon Juarez
Pat Ast
Hooker
Marc Alaimo
Frankie
Victor Argo
Angel
Kathy Cronkite
Ron Cummins
Photographer
Evelyn Dutton
Receptionist
Carmen Filpi
Wino
Terrence Locke
Assassin
Ted Markland
Ralph Montgomery
Harry Northrup
Chief Goon
Korla Pandit
Hindu
Clifford A. Pellow
White Boss
Hank Robinson
Spo-De-Odee
Cripple
Bob Terhune
Goon
Tim Thomerson
Tour Guide
Joe Turkel
Harry
Hank Worden
Flunky
Paul Mooney
Inspector
George More O'Ferrall
Reporter
Tanya Lynne Lee
Althea
Eddie Smith
Men at Picnic
Angela Wilson
Dawn
Louise Johnson
Blair Burrows
Otis Day

Critic Reviews for Which Way Is Up?

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (10) | DVD (9)

Clunky 1977 Richard Pryor comedy really looks dated now.

April 8, 2008 Comment

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Pryor should have stuck with concert films.

August 13, 2002 Comment

Bob Bloom

Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

Should have stayed in the vault.

July 12, 2002 Full Review Source: Movie Habit

| Comment

Marty Mapes

Movie Habit

As unfunny as it gets. Worse, it's misogynist and an embarrassment to the race.

May 23, 2002 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Kevin N. Laforest

Apollo Guide

Hardcore Pryor fans may disagree, but very little about Which Way Is Up? is all that compelling, and it's very rarely funny.

May 21, 2002 Full Review Source: DVD Clinic

| Comment

Scott Weinberg

DVD Clinic

An embarrassing Being There conceit married to blaxploitation and unionization.

May 20, 2002 Full Review Source: Film Freak Central

| Comment

Walter Chaw

Film Freak Central

Tired

May 11, 2002 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

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Audience Reviews for Which Way Is Up?

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This movie is hilarious, and the story outrageous, I really liked it, Pryor plays a bunch of characters which makes it even funnier.

September 6, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

Hilarious as hell. A Richard Pryor classic mention to be seen.

August 13, 2006

Mister Caple

Super Reviewer

Which Way Is Up? Quotes

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