#MovieMonday Review: Harlem Nights (1989)

When Eddie Murphy Said "Hold My Beer" and Directed His First Movie

Y'all, can we talk about "Harlem Nights"? Because I've been in my feelings about this movie since forever, and I need to express.

So, let me put on my fanciest robe, pour myself a glass of something strong, and take you back to 1930s Harlem, because this movie is a whole mood. Directed by and starring the legendary Eddie Murphy? With Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx? It's like they gathered all the Black excellence in Hollywood and said, "Let's give the people a classic." And honey, they absolutely did.

The Audacity of Excellence

First of all, the AUDACITY of Eddie Murphy to say "I'm not just gonna star in this period piece... I'm gonna DIRECT it too" as his directorial debut? That's the kind of energy I channel when I'm pitching my shows to networks. Like, imagine having that level of confidence. Actually, don't imagine it: EMBODY IT.

This was 1989, when Black directors were still fighting for seats at the table, and Eddie Murphy just walked in and built his own table. Then sat at the head of it. The man was coming off "Coming to America" success and decided to flex in a completely different way. That's big boss energy right there.

Setting the Scene: 1938 Harlem in All Its Glory

Listen, when I tell you they set this in 1938 Harlem, I mean they DID THAT. The costumes earned an Oscar nomination, and honestly? Looking at those fits makes me want to throw out my entire wardrobe and start fresh with some vintage pieces. But like, actual vintage, not that fast fashion "inspired by" nonsense.

The attention to detail is everything. Every suit is pressed to perfection, every dress hugs like it was made specifically for that body, every hat sits at just the right angle. The production design doesn't just transport you to the '30s - it makes you want to LIVE there. The speakeasy vibes, the jazz club atmosphere, the way money and power move through these spaces - it's all so lush and intentional.

This isn't just period costuming; it's cultural preservation. They captured a version of Harlem that Hollywood rarely bothered to show - Black folks with money, style, and agency in their own stories.

A Cast That Could Never Be Recreated

The way they assembled this cast? LEGENDARY. Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, and Redd Foxx in the same movie is like if Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Mary J. Blige did a surprise album together. It's giving excellence. It's giving history. It's giving "why hasn't this happened again?"

Watching Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor share screen time is like witnessing a master class in comedy chemistry. These two comedy giants, different generations, different styles, but both absolute legends. The father-son dynamic between Sugar Ray (Pryor) and Quick (Murphy) feels so natural you forget they're acting.

And Redd Foxx as Bennie Wilson? That man brought decades of experience from "Sanford and Son" and every comedy club stage he ever graced. When he delivers a line, you believe every single word because he's lived it, breathed it, and perfected it.

The Women Who Stole Every Scene

And can we talk about the women in this movie? Because they came to SERVE.

Della Reese as Vera - When I tell you this woman ate up every scene like it was Sunday dinner! There's this fight scene between her and Eddie that lives rent-free in my head.

The way she delivered those lines? The commitment to the character? The physicality? Della Reese said "I'm not just here to look pretty" and proceeded to give us one of the most memorable performances in the entire film.

Jasmine Guy as Dominique La Rue - BABY. The sophistication. The manipulation. The LOOKS. She was serving femme fatale realness before half of us knew what that meant.

Every entrance was an event, every line delivery was calculated perfection. Jasmine took what could have been a one-dimensional "seductress" role and gave her layers, intelligence, and genuine menace.

Lela Rochon as Sunshine -

Stunning. Sis came through with a performance so shiny, they had to name her Sunshine, but don't let that fool you because she was out here playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers... until, well, her character caught the permanent kind of sunshine, if you know what I mean. 😬 That twist still hits different on rewatch.

These women held their own in a movie full of larger-than-life personalities, and I respect it. In a film dominated by male egos and testosterone, they carved out their own space and made it memorable.

The Supporting Cast That Supported Like Champions

And don't even get me started on Arsenio Hall's contribution - the man played a shady preacher and had me ready to put money in the collection plate anyway. His ability to make corruption feel charming is a skill that should be studied.

This movie was really out here giving people their first big breaks like it was nothing. The casting director understood the assignment and then some.

When Critics Miss the Point

Now, I know some critics at the time were like "it's doing too much." But isn't that exactly what we need sometimes? A movie that says "yeah, we're gonna do ALL OF THIS and you're gonna sit there and take it"?

The way Eddie Murphy crafted this world that's both funny and serious, tackling racism and power dynamics while still making us laugh? That's the blueprint. This movie dealt with police corruption, organized crime, and systemic racism without making any of it feel preachy or heavy-handed. Instead, we got power moves, comedy, and some of the best one-liners in cinema history.

The Bigger Picture: Representation That Mattered

Here's what really gets me: this movie gave us something we hadn't seen before - a period piece about Black folk that wasn't centered around trauma. No slavery narratives, no civil rights struggle (though it acknowledges the realities of the time), just Black people being powerful, funny, sexy, and complex in their own spaces.

In 1989, when Black stories in Hollywood were limited to very specific narratives, "Harlem Nights" said "what if we just let Black people be fully human in every way?" Revolutionary concept, apparently.

The movie also tackled the reality of how Black businesses and communities had to navigate white power structures. The conflict with Phil Cantone (Danny Aiello) and corrupt cops wasn't just plot - it was historical accuracy wrapped in entertainment.

The Style That Still Influences

Can we talk about how this movie influenced fashion? The way men started wanting to dress like Quick, the way women wanted to channel Dominique's elegance? The ripple effects of this film's aesthetic choices are still felt today. Every time you see someone in a perfectly tailored vintage suit or a bias-cut dress from this era, "Harlem Nights" probably had something to do with that inspiration.

Legacy and Lessons

Is it perfect? What even is perfect? But it's authentic, it's ambitious, and it showed Hollywood that Black stories could be period pieces, comedies, dramas, and action films all at once. It proved that Black audiences deserved the full spectrum of entertainment, not just the narrow slice we'd been getting.

The movie also demonstrated that when you put Black talent in control - writing, directing, producing - magic happens. Eddie Murphy didn't just star in this film; he created a world, hired his community, and gave everyone room to shine.

🎬 Nicole's Verdict

"Harlem Nights" is that friend who shows up to the party in the perfect outfit, tells the best stories, and makes everyone else step their game up. It's confident without being cocky, stylish without being superficial, and entertaining without sacrificing intelligence.

This isn't just a movie; it's a statement. It's Eddie Murphy saying "I can do whatever I want, and I'm going to do it with style." It's a love letter to a version of Harlem that deserved to be celebrated. It's a reminder that Black excellence has always existed - we just haven't always had the cameras rolling.

Perfect for: Nights when you need to feel inspired, anytime you want to see Black people winning, or when you need fashion inspiration 

Grab: Something fancy to drink, your best pajamas (because you'll want to feel as elegant as the characters), and an appreciation for cinematic audacity 

Trust me: You'll be quoting this movie and wanting to redecorate your entire space in Art Deco style

If you haven't watched it yet, I don't even know what to tell you. Actually, I do... go watch it right now. Like, seriously. Stop reading this and go handle that. This isn't just a movie night recommendation; this is your homework for understanding Black excellence in cinema.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿 Some movies entertain. Some movies educate. "Harlem Nights" does both while looking absolutely stunning.

P.S. The next time someone tells you to "wait your turn" in this industry, just remember Eddie Murphy directed THIS as his first project. Then go ahead and do whatever you were going to do anyway.

What's your favorite "Harlem Nights" moment? And be honest - didn't this movie make you want to completely upgrade your wardrobe? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

Sincerely, Your girl who's still trying to recreate some of those 1930s looks for my next trip to the grocery store because looking good while shopping for overpriced food is a form of self-care. ♥️