Watch Wholly Moses!
- PG
- 1980
- 1 hr 43 min
-
4.7 (2,232)
Wholly Moses! is a comedy film released in 1980, directed by Gary Weis and starring Dudley Moore, Laraine Newman, and James Coco. Set in biblical times, the movie follows the life of a man named Herschel, played by Dudley Moore, who mistakenly believes that he has been chosen by God to save his people from the Egyptians. However, he soon discovers that he is not the chosen one, but rather a simple bricklayer.
The film takes a lighthearted approach to the biblical story of Moses, poking fun at the myths and legends surrounding his life. It starts with a scene of Mrs. Muzzerella, played by Laraine Newman, giving birth to Herschel, and mistakenly believing that he is the messiah. As Herschel grows up, he is always fascinated by the stories of Moses and the exodus, and dreams of being a hero like him.
One day, while working as a bricklayer, Herschel is mistaken for a slave by the Egyptians, who commence to capture him and his fellow workers. Herschel escapes from the Egyptians and finds himself lost in the desert, where he meets a group of Israelites who mistake him for Moses. He tells them that he has come to lead them out of Egypt and into the promised land, but soon realizes that he has no idea how to do this.
As Herschel struggles to find his way, he meets a series of eccentric characters, including a pharaoh who is obsessed with building the pyramids, played by James Coco. The pharaoh's daughter, played by Madeline Kahn, takes a liking to Herschel and tries to win his affections. However, Herschel is slowly beginning to realize that he is not cut out for this kind of heroism and decides to relinquish his role as Moses.
As the story unfolds, Herschel finally discovers his true calling in life - to be a comedian. He begins to entertain the Israelites with his jokes and stories, and they are entranced. However, his antics attract the attention of the pharaoh, who has him arrested and sentenced to death. Herschel is thrown into a pit with other prisoners, where he meets a wise old man who tells him the whole story of Moses and Aaron.
Wholly Moses! is a hilarious satire that will have you laughing out loud. Dudley Moore is at his best in this movie, and his comedic timing is impeccable. The rest of the cast is equally impressive, and their performances bring the film to life. Despite being a comedy, the film does not shy away from the serious themes of religion and faith, and there are some touching moments that will leave viewers moved.
In conclusion, Wholly Moses! is a must-watch comedy for anyone who loves a good laugh. The movie is a perfect blend of humor and heart, and will leave you feeling uplifted and entertained. If you haven't seen it yet, now is the perfect time to give it a try.
Wholly Moses! is a 1980 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7.