Two For Tuesday - "Richard Pryor: Omit The Logic & Richard Pryor: Icon"

Richard Pryor: Icon (2014)

PBS

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic - B+

Rated R

Directed by Marina Zenovich



The Stories:

Both documentaries take a look at the rise and tragic end to one of the greatest comedic performers of the 20th Century, Richard Pryor. Archival footage from many of his performances are used, as well as interviews from people that knew Pryor and those that were influenced by his comedy.

Both are good ways to get your feet wet on the history and impact of Richard Pryor.

Icon, part of the PBS series, clocks in just under an hour and follows the rise to stardom in the 60s until the end. They often repeat many of the pictures during the show and while a nice primer, it doesn't really break any ground or do much to showcase Pryor, except for hearing lots of people telling you how great he was.

Omit the Logic on the other hand is almost 90 minutes, and since it isn't airing on PBS uses much more audio and video of Pryor's comedy routines which helps solidify the fact that everyone found him to be hilarious. A little bit more of his life is mentioned in this documentary and it feels more well-rounded. The one piece either film was missing would have been to get some commentary from Gene Wilder since the two were linked so strongly together through film.

At the end of the day, you can't go wrong with either, or both.

Pryor was a genius, and he paved a way for generations of comics to follow.

Icon is currently streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grades:

Richard Pryor: Icon: B-

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic: B+