Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling (Criterion Collection): 4K UHD Review

In 1986 Richard Pryor produced, directed and co-wrote the biographical drama, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling, which was six years after the comedian set himself on fire while freebasing cocaine. While not a box office success and receiving mixed reviews from critics, there was no question that this was Pryor’s most personal film and probably one of the late comic’s best performances. This week Jo Jo Dancer arrives on 4K UHD for the first time, courtesy of Criterion.

While Pryor is essentially playing himself, his character in the film, goes by the name of Jo Jo Dancer. After setting himself on fire while getting high, Jo Jo is rushed to the hospital, where he is in critical condition. While the doctors are trying to save his life, Jo Jo’s spirit parts from his body and takes a journey through his life. We start off in Jo Jo’s hometown of Peoria, Illinois, where he was raised in a brothel by his grandmother and mother (where she also worked).

As a young man, Jo Jo had no desire to stay in Peoria an decided to head to the big city, where he could try and make it as a comedian, leaving his wife behind in the process. After some time, Jo Jo does find some success, but is forced to relocate once again after an altercation with a local gangster. Jo Jo does find great success in Los Angeles, but along with the fame and woman, came a growing drug addiction, which would lead to his life spiraling out of control.

Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling feels like a much-needed therapy session for Pryor, which is probably why it is the only feature film he had ever directed (aside from a comedy special). He needed to tell the story himself, and I have a feeling that Pryor probably didn’t care whether audiences embraced it or not. He made this movie for himself, even if he has stated the film isn’t autobiographical.

Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling has never been released on Blu-ray or 4K UHD until now. The only DVD released was over two decades ago. The Criterion Collection brings us a new 4K restoration, which was handled by Sony and sourced from the original 35mm camera negative. The 2160p presentation with Dolby Vision/HDR is really strong. From the daytime shots in Jo Jo’s childhood neighborhood, to the neon-soaked nightclub in which he got his start as a comedian, everything looks incredibly detailed.  We also get the original DTS-HD 2.0 MA track, which is all we really need for a dialogue driven film like this. However, the Herbie Hancock score still sounds amazing.

While, I would never say that Pryor is at his funniest here, I will say that this is where is most raw and for fans of the talented comedian, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling is a must watch. If you are a fan, you are going to love Criterion’s release.

Bonus Content:

• New 4K digital restoration, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
• One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
• New interview on the film with filmmaker Robert Townsend
• Interview with director Richard Pryor from a 1985 episode of The Dick Cavett Show
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: An appreciation by critic Hilton Als

By: Marc Ferman

Order JO JO DANCER, YOUR LIFE IS CALLING on 4K UHD