It’s clear from the opening shot of “Being Eddie,” director Angus Wall’s (Oscar-winning editor of “The Social Network” “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”) enchanting Netflix documentary about comedy superstar Eddie Murphy, that being Eddie is a pretty good gig. The film begins with a thrilling drone shot that starts from inside the Moroccan-style courtyard of Eddie’s spectacular Beverly Hills mansion and ends on a draw-dropping panoramic view of the Southern California coastline in the distance. As the shot crescendos, we hear, in voiceover, the soft spoken voice of Eddie the channel surfer as he succinctly expresses the common man’s  lament: “With all of this stuff on TV, how come there is nothing to watch?!” The juxtaposition of these elements is pure Eddie Murphy, as masterfully constructed by a two-time Oscar winning editor.

 

Angus joins Ken on the pod to talk about what it was like to hang out with Eddie in his living room and re-visit his remarkable career. But this is no self-congratulatory trip down memory lane. Eddie proves to be a soft-spoken sage whose perspective on comedy, movies, power, and life add a surprising element of gravitas to the proceedings. Or at least in the moments when he is not telling a hilarious story about Yul Brynner and an offer to “party” that took years for Eddie to unpack. The film culminates in Eddie’s triumphant return in 2019 to host “Saturday Night Live” — his first time hosting the show in 35 years. At least for one night, we can guarantee that there was something truly special to watch on TV.

 

“Being Eddie” is streaming on Netflix.

 

The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

 

Hidden Gems:

“Restrepo”, “Senna”

 

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