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Harlem Nights
1989 116 min United States of America R 18+
★5.6
Comedy, Crime, Drama
Director: Eddie Murphy
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
'Sugar' Ray is the owner of an illegal casino and must contend with the pressure of vicious gangsters and corrupt police who want to see him go out of business. In the world of organised crime and police corruption in the 1920s, any dastardly trick is fair.
Budget:
$30M
US Gross:
$60.86M
Worldwide:
$60.86M
Starring
Eddie Murphy
Actor
Richard Pryor
Actor
Redd Foxx
Actor
Awards
Razzie Awards 1990
— Worst Screenplay
Academy Awards 1990
— Best Costume Design
Razzie Awards 1990
— Worst Director
Key opinion
Harlem Nights functions as a modest but distinct crime comedy that serves as a landmark for Eddie Murphy's career autonomy. While the film is characterized by its lively dialogue and strong chemistry between its leads, it is hindered by a conventional and somewhat predictable narrative structure.
| Acting | The natural chemistry between Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor remains an effective highlight of the film. | |
| Screenplay | The script is infused with high-level humor and a lively, ironic approach to traditional gangster tropes. | |
| Production | The film acts as a unique showcase for Black Hollywood talent, successfully blending a classic white-style aesthetic with specific cultural perspectives. | |
| Screenplay | The plot suffers from predictability and narrative unevenness, causing critics to differ on whether the film's charms successfully compensate for its structural flaws. |