Eddie Murphy is not yet 65, and the comedian and actor remains professionally active. Not at such a manic pace as in the early 1980s, when he was beginning a blockbuster film career while still a cast member on “Saturday Night Live.” But he’s been tending his franchises: There was a “Coming to America” sequel (2021), the creatively titled “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” (2024) and we’ll see “Shrek 5” in 2027. Given this level of activity, it’s just a little odd that his latest film, the documentary portrait “Being Eddie,” plays like, well, the kind of testimonial that accompanies retirement.
The stars Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Jamie Foxx, Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson and more show up to aver that they’d never have found success without Murphy blazing a trail. Murphy himself doesn’t indulge in any false modesty, but he’s also smartly self-aware and acknowledges his debts to Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby. The director Angus Wall reminds the viewer of Murphy’s incredible comedic virtuosity with clips from Murphy’s stand-up, “S.N.L.” days and films.
As is customary with testimonials, the emphasis is on positivity. Much of Murphy’s often tumultuous personal life is skated over. The ugly homophobia of some of his old stand-up warrants no consideration. He tells an offscreen interlocutor that “nobody had as much fun in the ’80s” as he did, without going into much detail.
And yet, “Being Eddie” is a great time. Murphy is good company, and he’s hilarious as ever. And he’s still capable of surprising: At one point he asks, “You know that director Jodorowsky?” meaning the extreme cult director Alejandro. Yeah, we do!
Being Eddie
Rated R for, you’ll never guess, language. Running time: 1 hour 42 minutes. Watch on Netflix.
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