Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
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Synopsis
One of the greatest comedians of all time, Richard Pryor gets raw and real in this brutally funny and lacerating self-portrait. Following the notorious incident in which he caught on fire while high on cocaine, nearly losing his life, Pryor exorcised his inner demons by writing, producing, directing, and starring in this dizzying hall-of-mirrors biopic and backstage drama, which traces a young comedian’s rise to fame, from his childhood growing up in a brothel to the colorful experiences that shaped his edgy comic voice to the addiction struggles that brought him to the brink of death. As he did in his legendary stand-up sets, here Pryor fearlessly turns his soul inside out, revealing the deep vulnerability that made his art so compelling.
Picture 9/10
In a welcome surprise, The Criterion Collection presents Richard Pryor’s Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling on 4K UHD, featuring a Dolby Vision-graded 2160p/24hz ultra high-definition presentation in the film’s original 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Sourced from a new 4K restoration performed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment—taken from a scan of the 35mm original camera negative—the film is presented on a triple-layer UHD disc. The release also includes a standard dual-layer Blu-ray that houses all of the special features, along with a 1080p version of the film sourced from the same restoration.
As has been the case with several recent Criterion 4K upgrades, this isn’t necessarily a film that demands ultra high definition—but it’s hard to argue with the results. Jo Jo Dancer looks fantastic, fresh and vibrant, almost as though it were shot yesterday. The only reason I hesitate and say "almost" is due to the film’s thick, heavy grain that does date it a bit to the period, but it is at least gorgeously rendered without a hitch. This allows for an exceptional level of detail, with a consistently sharp image that only falters during sequences where the image has been intentionally softened (there are moments where it's clear a stocking has been placed over the lens) or optical effects are employed. The restoration work has also cleaned up any print damage, with nothing of note remaining.
Colors are richly saturated, with striking pops of red, blue, and green, and Dolby Vision enhances these hues while also improving contrast and delivering sharp highlights. Black levels are deep and well-balanced, with only occasional instances of crush. Fortunately, this isn’t an issue in the film’s smoky club interiors, where Dolby Vision does an excellent job of rendering the haze naturally and balancing the light as it filters through. The way light interacts with the smoke in these scenes can be particularly striking.
Overall, this is a surprisingly sharp and gorgeous presentation of the film, one that benefits immensely from the 4K treatment.
Audio 8/10
The film is presented with a 2-channel surround soundtrack in DTS-HD MA. While Jo Jo Dancer isn’t a particularly showy film in terms of sound design, it still features a well-balanced mix. Dialogue and most audio elements are focused in the front speakers, with smooth pans and subtle stereo separation, while music and livelier settings—such as the club scenes or the emergency room—make use of the surrounds to create a more immersive experience. The audio is clean and sharp, with a solid dynamic range, delivering a presentation that sounds very good overall.
Extras 5/10
Sadly, Criterion includes only a couple of supplements, the only newly filmed feature being an interview with filmmaker Robert Townsend. In this 18-minute discussion, Townsend reflects on Pryor’s career and legacy, recalling the impact of his stand-up performances and how he used comedy to both experiment and exorcise his personal demons. He also touches on Pryor’s film work, including Jo Jo Dancer.
It’s a solid appreciation, with Townsend making clear how much Pryor influenced his own work (like Hollywood Shuffle), but it ultimately just scratches the surface. Thankfully, the release is bolstered by an interview with Pryor himself from The Dick Cavett Show, recorded around the time of Jo Jo Dancer's release. This is a fascinating conversation on multiple levels—despite Cavett making at least one regrettable comment late in the exchange. The discussion begins with the film’s autobiographical nature, leading into Pryor’s thoughts on his career, how it shifted following his accident and decision to quit drugs, and even reflects on how people seemed more willing to believe he was using than accept that he has stopped. He also speaks candidly about his directorial debut, praising his crew—especially cinematographer John Alonzo (Chinatown) for his guidance—before delving into a pointed critique of how Black characters are typically written in Hollywood films. It’s around this point that Cavett missteps, making an awkward remark (which I won’t spoil), leading to an uncomfortable stretch of the conversation. The moment is only salvaged by Pryor’s sharp, unflinching response and his insistence tfor Cavett to explain himself.
Fortunately, the discussion turns to a more uplifting note as Pryor acknowledges the doors he helped open for Black comedians like Eddie Murphy, while also recognizing the incremental nature of progress—crediting Dick Gregory for paving the way for him, just as he believes Murphy and others will do for future generations. Throughout the interview, Pryor balances levity with honesty, making this essential viewing, especially for fans.
The disc also includes an essay by Hilton Als, who examines the film’s relationship to Pryor’s life and body of work, offering a thoughtful capstone to the set.
This marks Criterion’s first major release centered on Pryor (aside from his brief cameo in David Lynch’s Lost Highway), so I was hoping for a more comprehensive and insightful set of supplements. That said, while limited, both features—especially the archival interview—are still strong additions.
Closing
Though the special features leave something to be desired, the 4K presentation is exceptional.
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