Several times during Harlem Nights the viewer will be well ahead of the plot. At other times they will feel that the story unfolds so leisurely that Eddie Murphy is stretching things out on his presumption we are enjoying the splenderous set decor and costumes. The film is without doubt sumptuous, and the fast-talking insult comedy can be very funny at times, but the overall delivery is quite contemporary which only reduce the illusion of a 1930s setting. The plot and story are so uninspiring that the audience will wonder when these two great screen comedy actors are going to spark up. They don't. And the ending is so unbelievable, as if to underline that this venture was an expensive venture for both.

Both Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx are not with us anymore, but this is here. This film shows us the comedic talent of both these men, and to have stars like Eddie Murphy, Danny Aiello, and Della Reese is delicious icing on the cake. Pryor as Sugar Ray and Murphey as Quick try to keep a vicious mobster from taking over their business. As you might think, they turn the tables on the bad buys! Jasmine Guy stands out particularly as the mobster's girlfriend, and so does Della Resse as the hard-fighting madam with a heart of gold.The style and feel of the film is perfectly evocative of the thirties, and although the plot is rather derivative, its pulled together by a great supporting cast including Redd Foxx, Charlie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. The one major flaw is that Richard Pryor is miscast as the straight guy to Eddies hot headed youngster, but on the other hand it shows he could play more subtle roles if needed. Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

Putting Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx in the same movie clearly wasn't a bad idea. Instead, the bad idea came in the form of Murphy deciding he could write, direct and produce that movie.Everyone in this film felt like they were wasting their talent. There's something about Della Reese saying "kiss my ass" for the twentieth time that makes it not funny anymore.As for the plot, its dramatic and comedic parts conflict with each other, as if Murphy got the script to a really bad mafia movie and then decided to put some lousy jokes in it.The movie should have been subtitled "Three Iconic Black Comedians Get Outclassed by Arsenio Hall Crying and Screaming for Five Minutes."

Harlem Nights is an excellent,hilarious and underrated Comedy/Crime Drama that combines great direction,a terrific cast,wonderful laughs and a fantastic score and soundtrack. All of those elements make Harlem Nights a memorable film that is Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor at their best.Set in Harlem,New York during the late 1930s,Harlem Nights tells the story of Quick(Eddie Murphy)and Sugar Ray(Richard Pryor)who both run the nightclub Club Sugar Ray and the club is doing well until Gangster Bugsy Calhoune(Michael Lerner)and corrupt cop Phil Cantone(Danny Aiello)want to embezzle money from the club. With their backs against the wall Quick and Sugar Ray come up with a plan to rob Bugsy Calhoune of his money and try to survive on the streets of Harlem.During the period between Coming To America in 1988 and The Nutty Professor in 1996 Eddie Murphy's career was at a crossroads with two categories of movies that were not critical successes but Box office hits(Boomerang,Another 48 Hrs,The Distinguished Gentleman)and movies that were critical and Box Office failures(Beverly Hills Cop III and Vampire In Brooklyn). A film that falls into the former category is Harlem Nights in 1989,a terrific and memorable Comedy/Crime Drama that was the directorial debut of Eddie Murphy that was a passion project for Murphy and was the first and only film with his idol Comedian Richard Pryor. While Harlem Nights was a Box Office success it was panned by critics which is a shame because Harlem Nights is one of Murphy's best and most underrated movies and is a movie that Eddie should be proud of. Harlem Nights is an hilarious movie and one of the funniest films I have ever seen that is entertaining from start to finish a movie that combines laughs,period piece and a Crime genre all in one film a movie that mixes jokes and laughs with violence and intrigue. The Comedy and laughs in Harlem Nights are funny and amazing mixing silliness and black humor with some scenes and dialog that are over the top that is done like a Coen Btothers film or A Rage In Harlem. But while the Harlem Nights has a lot of funny and over the top moments there is also a lot of serious and dramatic moments to the movie thanks to the atmosphere and Crime Drama/Gangster elements that make the movie work. Murphy gives Harlem Nights the right tone and feel for the film with a great balance without making the movie feel uneven. What I also enjoyed about Harlem Nights is the photography(Woody Omens),production design(Laurence G. Paul),Costume Design(Joe I. Tompkins,who received on an Academy Award nomination for his work on the film). All of those elements make Harlem Nights feel authentic and accurate making viewers feel like they are in Harlem during that time in the 1930s and giving the movie a beautiful and glossy look. As stylish as Harlem Nights looks there is plenty of substance especially with the two main characters Quick and Sugar Ray who are great characters while they are both business partners they are very much like Father and son. While there is differences between the two(Quick is young and ambitious,Sugar Ray is older and more patient)Quick and Sugar Ray find common ground when the Mob decides to come after them the to come together against all odds and defeat their enemies. The relationship between Quick and Sugar Ray is fascinating and is one of the many things that drives the film. The ending of Harlem Nights is wonderful and is filled with laughs and surprises that will greatly satisfy viewers. A terrific conclusion.The cast is amazing. Eddie Murphy is is excellent,hilarious and at his best as Quick,with Murphy bringing laughs and playing it straight. Richard Pryor is outstanding and at his best as Sugar Ray,Quick's Father figure and has great scenes with Murphy. Redd Foxx(in his last movie role)is terrific and funny as Bennie,a man in charge of Dice games. Danny Aiello is amazing as Phil Cantone,a corrupt cop. Michael Lerner is fantastic as Bugsy Calhoun,a vicious Gangster. Della Reese is delightful as Vera,a madam who works at Club Sugar Ray's. Jasmine Guy is terrific and beautiful as Dominique La Rue,Calhoun's mistress. Arsenio Hall is very funny in his small role as Crying Man. Vic Polizos(Richie),Lela Richon(Sunshine),Stan Shaw(Jack Jenkins),Berlina Tolbert(Annie),David Marciano(Tony),Thomas Mikal Ford(Tommy Smalls),Miguel A. Nunez Jr.(Man With Broken Nose) and Desi Arnez Hines II(Young Quick)give good performances as well. Also,Lookout for cameos by Robin Harris(Jerome)and Charlie Murphy(Jimmy)The direction by Eddie Murphy is fantastic and stylish,with Murphy moving the camera and giving the movie a visual stunning look and pace. Great direction,Murphy.The score by Herbie Hancock is outstanding,intense and beautiful and truly adds to the film. Wonderful score,Hancock. There is also plenty of great Jazz songs on the soundtrack including Drop Me Off In Harlem by Louis Armstrong and Dike Ellington.In final word,if you love Comedies,Crime Dramas,Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor,I highly suggest you see Harlem Nights,an excellent,hilarious and underrated Comedy/Crime Drama that is Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor at their best. Highly Recommended. 10/10.