Which way to the nearest exit?

WHICH WAY IS UP? (1977)

Reviewed by Jerry Saravia

I love Richard Pryor when he plays slightly against type, as in "Blue Collar" or even "Jo, Jo Dancer." The problem may be that he can act and play it straight but needs the right material and, frankly, a remake of Lina Wertmuller's "The Seduction of Mimi" is not the best choice.

"Which Way is Up?" stars Pryor as Leroy Jones, an incompetent California orange-picker who inadvertently stands up for the little guy - a labor union (Unions were often the subject of films in the 1970's like "F.I.S.T" and "Norma Rae"). Pretty soon Leroy is forced out of town, away from his family, unemployed, until he finds work as a contract painter. He's also smitten with Vanetta (Lonette McKee), who asks him to not make love with anyone except her. Before you know it, Leroy has climbed up the corporate ladder as a foreman. He also has to juggle two lives, one with Vanetta from the city (whom he does marry), and one with his wife from his hometown (Margaret Avery). Before long, the movie's plot gets frenzied when his wife has a baby with the local Reverend, and Vanetta has a baby as well whom Leroy raises (the movie makes it clear that years have passed since he raises the child, and the story completely ignores his hometown wife). Oh, and there's the matter of Sister Sarah, corporate guys in limos waving their shiny, sparkling rings, and Pryor's old pal and co-writer for his stand-ups, Paul Mooney, in a very brief role.

I admire the intentions in "Which Way is Up?" and I do admire Pryor's acting, especially playing three different roles (his role as Rufus Jones, Leroy's father, is hilarious even if it smacks of minstrel stereotyping). The fault lies with the fact that not much of this film is funny - director Michael Schultz uneasily blends comedy with drama punched up with some form of social injustice. But is it ultimately a film about corrupt unions, infidelity, religious hypocrisy, or a showcase for Pryor's comic talents? Hard to say since it doesn't fully accomplish any of its goals due to strained humor and often lackluster direction. I suppose the key to it is that when Leroy used to be a hero for the little guy, he has sold out to "the Man."

Still, the film kept me somewhat involved since I only wanted to see how this mess would end. "Which Way is Up?" is not a spectacularly bad film but it is uneven, uncertain and only contains one or two good chuckles. Forget up or down, which way is it to the nearest exit?