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ComedyYear1978Duration1h 34mIMDb6.2

Which Way Is Up?

Comedy

Orange picker Leroy Jones inadvertently becomes a union leader and is forced out of town, leaving behind his wife Annie Mae and his sexually-obsessed father Rufus.

Trailer

Cast

Michael Schultz

Director

Richard Pryor

Leroy Jones

Richard Pryor

Rufus Jones

Richard Pryor

Reverend Lenox Thomas

Lonette McKee

Vanetta

Margaret Avery

Annie Mae

Morgan Woodward

Mr. Mann

MC

Marilyn Coleman

Sister Sarah

Bebe Drake

Thelma

GE

Gloria Edwards

Janelle

EH

Ernesto Hernández

Jose Reyes

Otis Day

Sugar

Morgan Roberts

Henry

Diane Rodriguez

Estrella Reyes

Dolph Sweet

The Boss

Tim Thomerson

Tour Guide

Daniel Valdez

Chuy Estrada

Luis Valdez

Ramon Juarez

Marc Alaimo

Frankie

TA

Tony Alvarenga

Errand Boy

Victor Argo

Angel

Lina Wertmüller

Writer

Carl Gottlieb

Writer

Cecil Brown

Writer

SG

Sonny Gordon

Writer

Comments

10 Comments

Døna2001May 29, 2023

source: Which Way Is Up?

InigoPascual Nov 18, 2022

Binod BoharaNov 16, 2022

Which Way Is Up?

Angellinio Leo-PolorNov 16, 2022

Richard Pryor plays three different people in this low budget movie with tons of laughs.The preacher & father are works of art.It is a stereotypical movie but true to life.Its shows how the rise to the top has it's sacrifices but the way down can be just as hard.If you are a Richard Pryor fan, rent this one today!!

مشاري راشد العفاسيNov 16, 2022

Anybody know what piece of music is used when Leroy chases Vernetta through the park?

Kesiah Ondo IINov 16, 2022

I first saw "Which Way is Up" on TV in the 80's, but the unedited version is superior. Richard Pryor plays three roles flawlessly in this moral tale of life,love, frailty, honor, and temptation. By chance he goes from a migrant worker, to a union hero, to a corporate pawn, while events occur and his life gets more and more complex. Hilarious as Loroy , the fruit picker turned corporation man, and his wild Father, and a shady Reverend. A must see for Richard Pryor fans and movie lovers. Lonette Mckee, his lady, is beautiful.Actually the casting was excellent throughout. Rent this one soon ! It will definitely leave an impression, as well as make you laugh a lot.

Cathie PasseraNov 16, 2022

Richard Pryor assumes three roles in a farce about a California orange picker, and boy does Pryor have great acting versatility! Pryor first becomes a labor union hero then a corporate womanizing flunky. Pryor is at his best as the grumpy old man father this is one of the funniest roles I have ever seen Pryor play. This is a film that shows that sometimes life can take on great changes in the way of family, relationships, jobs, and status. Only in the end to once again return to our beginnings to understand my comments watch the film you will see what I mean. To sum it up you will enjoy this nice comedy if your a Pryor fan you will really appreciate his versatile ability as an actor!

عاشق وفني ال4×4🚙🛠️Nov 16, 2022

I saw this movie at the theater when I was 12 or 13 and it took me from a naive child-woman to an aware black woman through comedy! I never laughed so hard in all of my life! Richard Pryor not only portrays three different characters flawlessly, he spins a story that has a moral and a conscious. The great soundtrack featured music from a group named STARGUARD who sang the title "Which Way is Up" and it was a big hit on urban radio in the 1979-80! This movie is a must-see for any and all fans of Richard Pryor - just to see how his comic-acting genius was as unique as it was effective. I know more people may have seen "Silver Streak" or "Blazing Saddles" (which he co-wrote the screenplay) but WHICH WAY IS UP is by far his best movie! It is unforgettable!

Bruna JairosseNov 16, 2022

This is a remake of a story written by Director, Lina Wertmuller. It is the story of Leroy Jones, played very capably by Richard Pryor. Pryor steals the show here as he plays Leroy, a migrant fruit picker, his grouchy old father and the local minister. It is the story of Leroy, and his accidental rise to management. Leroy is manipulated by "the man", the president of the Agricultural conglomerate that employs Leroy and his friends. It does a very good job of showing just how one can be seduced by the appearance of power. Leroy loses everything that means anything to him in his rise to management at the "company". The segments where Leroy interacts with his "father" are too funny for words. Pryor doesn't have a great range of acting ability but what he does, he does the best.

Klortia 🧛🏾‍♂️Nov 16, 2022

Pyror was genius! Seeing it again after 30+ years you have to really respect what was necessary to produce this movie in 1970's climate! Also pleased to see Bebe Drake, Margaret Avery, Marilyn Coleman, and of course Vonnetta McKee. Margaret and Vonnetta went on to have their own successes and I've always been proud of them but Bebe and Marilyn have turned out to be character actresses for black womanhood! I love them! They may not have the same name recognition as some of the others but they have truly endured through time! They are in so many different roles and bring something different to them all. They were outstanding in WWIU but I look forward to seeing them wherever they turn up!

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