Black History Month Series #2
Blaxploitation films are a wild ride, and very much a thing of their time. I may have encountered Cleopatra Jones on Bounce TV years ago, but my memory fails me. Either way, I had a great time watching this from start to finish. It feels a bit strange seeing a leading female protagonist role that isn't being portrayed by Pam Grier (as that was basically her forte during this period), but Tamara Dobson - who plays the titular character - is not a slouch. She's fearless, strong-willed, glamorous and all in all a badass character that isn't riddled with any of the typical exaggerated traits, and instead has a nice balance of feminine and masculine traits. Yes, Miss Jones can dress down and be as humble as the next woman, but she can kick ass twice (or thrice) as hard as the next sleazy guy. A welcome change from the usual traits of this female character: no nudity, which may have been the reason why this phenomenal actress didn't get much lead work after this... that's Hollywood for you... sheesh. But on a serious note, the character of Cleo makes for a hell of a counterpart for another classic blaxploitation character like Shaft: two bad mutha (you know the rest) who exudes such valiance and swagger on the big screen - I wish I were around to see it in real time.
Beyond Dobson, it was nice to see some familiar faces that are in legendary pieces of Black media, including Bernie Casey (Cornbread, Earl & Me) as Cleo's love interest Reuben, and Esther Rolle (Good Times) as neighborhood acquaintance Mrs. Johnson. And of course, you have two particular supporting actors who practically steal every scene they're in: Antonio Fargas as Doodlebug, a madman hellbent on creating his own "army" of gangsters; and Shelley Winters as Mommy, an unhinged lesbian supervillain who is pee-yissed at Cleo for ruining her heroin connections abroad. Every single time those two characters appear, you're in for a hoot. Speaking of, the comedic themes overshadows the film's tone in general, where some of the potential serious messaging about drug addiction and governmental affairs (that the film could've better expounded on) can come off middling and uncommitted to what it really wants to be. I was definitely curious about Cleo's connection in her line of work, and how that correlates with her own beliefs... but that doesn't really go anywhere. Additional things to note: the soundtrack is kicking - Joe Simon performs the theme and the underrated Millie Jackson provides two songs, and the action sequences are... convincing enough for the environment the story takes place in. There's a sick car chase sequence that sees our fearless protagonist use the way of water to best the slimeball sidekicks of the villain, but the final battle between Cleo and Mother Dearest is hilariously underwhelming.
*
• "You lose,"* says Cleo as the insane antagonist lies down for a permanent dirtnap after dropping down God knows how many levels of heights.
It's like a video game that just... ends? Nonetheless, a fun movie to watch and a solid entry in the lengthy Blaxploitation Cinematic Universe (BCU). Now can ya dig it?
Black History Month Series #2
Blaxploitation films are a wild ride, and very much a thing of their time. I may have encountered Cleopatra Jones on Bounce TV years ago, but my memory fails me. Either way, I had a great time watching this from start to finish. It feels a bit strange seeing a leading female protagonist role that isn't being portrayed by Pam Grier (as that was basically her forte during this period), but Tamara Dobson - who plays the titular character - is not a slouch. She's fearless, strong-willed, glamorous and all in all a badass character that isn't riddled with any of the typical exaggerated traits, and instead has a nice balance of feminine and masculine traits. Yes, Miss Jones can dress down and be as humble as the next woman, but she can kick ass twice (or thrice) as hard as the next sleazy guy. A welcome change from the usual traits of this female character: no nudity, which may have been the reason why this phenomenal actress didn't get much lead work after this... that's Hollywood for you... sheesh. But on a serious note, the character of Cleo makes for a hell of a counterpart for another classic blaxploitation character like Shaft: two bad mutha (you know the rest) who exudes such valiance and swagger on the big screen - I wish I were around to see it in real time.
Beyond Dobson, it was nice to see some familiar faces that are in legendary pieces of Black media, including Bernie Casey (Cornbread, Earl & Me) as Cleo's love interest Reuben, and Esther Rolle (Good Times) as neighborhood acquaintance Mrs. Johnson. And of course, you have two particular supporting actors who practically steal every scene they're in: Antonio Fargas as Doodlebug, a madman hellbent on creating his own "army" of gangsters; and Shelley Winters as Mommy, an unhinged lesbian supervillain who is pee-yissed at Cleo for ruining her heroin connections abroad. Every single time those two characters appear, you're in for a hoot. Speaking of, the comedic themes overshadows the film's tone in general, where some of the potential serious messaging about drug addiction and governmental affairs (that the film could've better expounded on) can come off middling and uncommitted to what it really wants to be. I was definitely curious about Cleo's connection in her line of work, and how that correlates with her own beliefs... but that doesn't really go anywhere. Additional things to note: the soundtrack is kicking - Joe Simon performs the theme and the underrated Millie Jackson provides two songs, and the action sequences are... convincing enough for the environment the story takes place in. There's a sick car chase sequence that sees our fearless protagonist use the way of water to best the slimeball sidekicks of the villain, but the final battle between Cleo and Mother Dearest is hilariously underwhelming.
*
• "You lose,"* says Cleo as the insane antagonist lies down for a permanent dirtnap after dropping down God knows how many levels of heights.
It's like a video game that just... ends? Nonetheless, a fun movie to watch and a solid entry in the lengthy Blaxploitation Cinematic Universe (BCU). Now can ya dig it?
