Review of Moving (1988) by Barry K — 20 Dec 2011

For most of the '70's and '80's, no other comedian was as dangerous as Richard Pryor. His stand-up routines were incendiary, as was the work he did in films early in his career like "Blazing Saddles". Unfortunately, his choice in film roles and the film themselves would start to deteriorate, which brings us to "Moving".

This is a simple-minded picture, one with a plot that's so bland it might have made a good TV movie, or even the plot of a sitcom. It wallows in predictability, and the whole thing is more disappointing and sad than it is bad. The biggest let-down of all is Pryor himself, playing essentially the film's straight man who lets the colorful assortment of crazy supporting characters vie for all of the major laughs. There aren't a lot here to be found. The film is rated "R", but its star seems strangely subdued and under control playing a good-hearted family man. He is not well suited for that.

Even the ridiculous finale, in which he finally cuts loose, is forced and oddly unsatisfying. It's just not very funny and it feels very much like a sitcom as well. There are some laughs to be found here, precious few but they are there. Despite the occasional cussing, the picture just feels so nice. With Pryor in charge, it should have been anything but. None of the supporting performances are all that amusing either, but I did enjoy the all-too-brief cameo from Rodney Dangerfield. The movie could have used a whole lot more of him.

If "Moving" was the best they could do for the title, you can pretty much guess how generic the rest of this is. It's pleasant enough, but it's also bland and lightweight.