When I started watching "Which Way Is Up?" I didn't realize that it focuses on labor issues. Richard Pryor is in his usual comedic form - playing a triple role, no less - but this is actually more of a serious role for him. It's apparently a remake of a Lina Wertmüller movie (I've never seen the original). This makes me wish that Lina Wertmüller had directed Richard Pryor in a movie; maybe she could've cast him as a rule-trashing cool dude who takes on Mussolini.

Anyway, the movie does draw attention to unions, and management's efforts to stifle it. And there's no shortage of Richard Pryor's comedy. Worth seeing.

Also starring Margaret Avery (Shug in "The Color Purple"),DeWayne Jessie (Otis Day in "Animal House") and Tim Thomerson (of the Trancers franchise).

In this Americanization of the Lina Wertmuller film "The Seduction of Mimi", comedy legend Richard Pryor gets to play three roles. First and foremost, he plays fruit picker Leroy Jones, who through a series of circumstances is manipulated into a top job at an agricultural outfit. Leroy ends up bedding a succession of women. Among them: his wife Annie Mae (Margaret Avery),and impassioned activist Vanetta (Lonette McKee). His amorous adventures take up the balance of the running time.

Pryor also gets to play Leroy's cranky, randy old dad Rufus, and yet another oversexed character in the form of the Reverend Lenox Thomas.

If nothing else, this film, directed by Michael Schultz ("The Last Dragon") is noteworthy for being a very fine showcase for Pryors' comedic *and* dramatic skills. The material itself isn't always terribly funny, but Pryor makes it work. "Which Way Is Up?" similarly provides its lovely leading ladies McKee and Avery with good showcases. Some of the funniest moments involve the desperate Annie Mae bringing a marital aid into the bed she shares with her husband. While the script, by writer / actor Carl Gottlieb ("Jaws"),Cecil Brown, and an uncredited Sonny Gordon, does get serious and reflective, it's never melodramatic. It takes its main character on an interesting journey of self discovery where he realizes that he's forgotten what's really important and where he came from.

Lots of familiar faces in this supporting cast: Morgan Woodward, DeWayne Jessie a.k.a. Otis Day, Dolph Sweet, Tim Thomerson, Marc Alaimo, Victor Argo, Pat Ast, Carmen Filpi, Ted Markland, Paul Mooney, Harry Northup, Joe Turkel, and Hank Worden.

This is definitely recommended to Pryor fans, and nowadays seems to be one of his more forgotten vehicles.

Seven out of 10.

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!