Car Wash

I am only 21 years old and have lived in New Jersey all of my life. I never experienced the 1970's nor have I been lucky enough to live in southern California. This movie gives me the best of both worlds, to me this movie represents southern California during the 1970's as it truly is meant to be. It's not about young rich white guys going surfing, or the limelight of Hollywood it just shows you a common everyday struggle of a man trying to make an honest buck in sunny southern California in the 1970's. The movie uses both humor and realism to make it's point. One thing that is a mystery to me about this movie is that for some reason as time has passed Danny Devito's role in the movie has vanished. A great movie that will stand the test of time!

An extremely underrated film that hopefully, with this DVD release, might finally gain some critical respect. Car Wash has somehow been lumped into the genre of wacky comedy over the years. However, the seriousness in which the plot develops and the sensitivity shown to its main characters make this a well directed comedy/drama (or dare I say it, dra-medy).

Everyone knows about the killer soundtrack, courtesy of Rose Royce and The Pointer Sisters (they smoke in this film), but what will surprise many is the smart script by Joel Schumacher (Batman Forever, 8MM) and gentle direction by Mike Schultz (Cooley High). Car Wash is a fun, day in the life comedy, but is also an intelligent, and at times thought provoking study on work roles, race relations, and ultimately, everyone's need to be loved.

The characters are slowly revealed with an Altman-esque quality. Especially strong performances by Antonio Fargas (known to most as Huggy Bear) and comedian Franklyn Ajaye as the Fly, a wanna be super hero that has a crush on a gorgeous, seemingly unattainable woman.

Richard Pryor and the Pointer Sisters take over the film at midpoint in the roles of Daddy Rich and the Wilson Sisters. This is an excellent performance by Pryor, as he extolls the virtue of both god and money to the workers at the car wash. The preacher is serious in his dedication to earning that almighty dollar, yet not above poking humor at the obvious conflictions he represents. A great scene, and it relieves some of the drama that has been set up by the brooding Abdullah, a muslim that is torn over the tensions and hypocrisies of the workplace.

There are no special features added to this DVD release, and that's a shame. It could benefit from some commentary (with a cast including Pryor, George Carlin, Professor Irwin Corey and Melanie Mayron, you'd think there are some great stories on the making of Car Wash), and a feature on the music would have been an obvious feature to add. Also, the film is only presented in full screen, no wide screen option is available.

A great ensemble cast, a loose, funky script that left room for improvisation and a great (nonstop) pulsating disco/soul soundtrack make this film a pleasant diversion and definitely a document of its' era. It also served as a blueprint for many other primarily black-cast comedies to come. When writing 1997's "Friday," Ice Cube was quoted as saying he wanted to create a fun film just like "Car Wash." Many funny scenes, some in questionable taste, but still harmless enough. For those who lived through the period, it'll bring back some memories.

This movie is at the top of my guilty pleasure list. The pace of the movie is very good, introducing many loveable loser characters and their situations quickly and effectively. The ensemble cast moves effectively throughout the movie without stepping on one another. There is a sense of comraderie and spirit that is engaging. The cameos of George Carlin and Richard Pryor actually digress from the action and the multiple stories at play. Obviously, this is not an Oscar winner, but it is good fun, sometimes touching, and entertaining from start to finish. It's also a good look at LA in the 70's. And, it's one of the few movies where voice over narration actually works.

After so many years of only reading about this movie, I finally watched Car Wash on Netflix Streaming. Richard Pryor has an amusing cameo as a reverend with The Pointer Sisters providing accompaniment and George Carlin is a taxi driver looking for the hooker who stiffed him but the real stars are the ensemble employed at the title place. Among them are: Franklyn Ajaye, Garrett Morris, Melanie Mayron, Antonio Fargas, Clarence Muse, Bill Duke, and Ivan Dixon in a rare acting role during this decade since he was busy as a director of such films like Trouble Man and The Spook Who Sat by the Door. Joel Schumacher's script isn't always hilarious but there are moments that do provide genuine laughs. Michael Schultz' direction keeps things on an even keel. And don't you just dig the cool songs written by Norman Whitfield and sung by Rose Royce especially the title tune? So on that note, I recommend Car Wash.