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Trailer

Which Way Is Up?

1977Movie1 h 34 minR

Comedy
43
WeakGoodWatch score
IMDb6.2Rotten Tomatoes20%82%

A sensual comedy movie about family and everyday modern life.

Good for friends night · party vibe · thought-provoking

Skip it if you're watching with family

Where to watch

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Not for scares or brutality.

Movies with

Story

Three times the Richard Pryor. Three times the laughs.

Orange picker Leroy Jones inadvertently becomes a union leader and is forced out of town, leaving behind his sex-obsessed father, Rufus, and timid spouse, Annie Mae. He heads for Los Angeles, where he falls for union organizer Vanetta. Annie Mae seeks solace from local preacher Lenox Thomas, who eventually impregnates her. When Leroy catches wind, he heads home for a showdown with Lenox.

Feels like

  • Richard Pryor Star Vehicle
  • Blaxploitation Comedy
  • Social Satire
  • Dysfunctional Family Dynamics
  • Union Politics Humor
  • Sensual & Provocative
  • Funky Soul Soundtrack
  • Cult Classic
  • Sharp Dialogue

Cast

19 of 19

Crew

Directed by
Michael Schultz
Written by
Carl Gottlieb, Cecil Brown
Produced by
Steve Krantz
Music by
Paul Riser, Mark Davis

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

November 4, 1977 · 1 h 34 min · R

Released
November 4, 1977
Runtime
1 h 34 min
Age rating
R
Content
Sexual Content, Nudity, Strong Language
Genres
Comedy
Original language
English
Also spoken
Spanish
Made in
United States
Budget
$3 million
Available in
12 countries

Q&A

4 questions, like "Where can I stream Which Way Is Up??"

Questions about Which Way Is Up?

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Which Way Is Up??

In the United States, you can rent or buy Which Way Is Up? from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.

Is Which Way Is Up? worth watching?

43
WeakGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 43 (IMDb 6.2 and Rotten Tomatoes 20%). Audiences rate it higher (72 out of 100) than critics (20).

Will Which Way Is Up? make me laugh?

Funny

Yes: the humor is mostly situational comedy (8 of 10) and slapstick (7 of 10).

Is Which Way Is Up? plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (7 of 10) and dialogue centrality (7 of 10) more than on its plot.