because I want to be the first to comment... (contains spoilers on theme)
great adaptation of Kaftka's Metamorphosis, this film explores racism in America with Jeff Gerber, an insensitive, lecherous racist whose world turns upside down after his skin turns from 'white' (white-face) to that of an 'African American' over night. Obvious hi-jinx situations make way for a grimmer tone as 'Jefferson Washington Gerber' (ex president names like that adopted by Free Slaves, a minor plot contribution) starts to own his new identity in spite of growing challenges to remain at the top end of a status quo- experiencing total alienation from his white suburban society. Wonderfully performed by the playful Godfrey Cambridge, who hams up as an excellent 'ass-hole' in white face, this movie makes several social points within the main action while the wider race riots of the late 60s and 70s intrude white suburban homes via the news coverage on TVs. Gerber is at once treated with suspicion by the police and public, as an opportunity for exploitation (a tool to tap black markets) a new enemy to his "friends" and even fetishised as a new sex symbol in his office. A much easier watch than 'Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song'- which made Martin Van Peeble's the father of Blaxploitation but involves pretty challenging content, this film enjoys a stupid motif of1960s/70 goofy sitcom design but hits a range of nuanced points as well as Cambridge making genuinely funny lines and delivery. Try and see.
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because I want to be the first to comment... (contains spoilers on theme)great adaptation of Kaftka's Metamorphosis, this film explores racism in America with Jeff Gerber, an insensitive, lecherous racist whose world turns upside down after his skin turns from 'white' (white-face) to that of an 'African American' over night. Obvious hi-jinx situations make way for a grimmer tone as 'Jefferson Washington Gerber' (ex president names like that adopted by Free Slaves, a minor plot contribution) starts to own his new identity in spite of growing challenges to remain at the top end of a status quo- experiencing total alienation from his white suburban society. Wonderfully performed by the playful Godfrey Cambridge, who hams up as an excellent 'ass-hole' in white face, this movie makes several social points within the main action while the wider race riots of the late 60s and 70s intrude white suburban homes via the news coverage on TVs. Gerber is at once treated with suspicion by the police and public, as an opportunity for exploitation (a tool to tap black markets) a new enemy to his "friends" and even fetishised as a new sex symbol in his office. A much easier watch than 'Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song'- which made Martin Van Peeble's the father of Blaxploitation but involves pretty challenging content, this film enjoys a stupid motif of1960s/70 goofy sitcom design but hits a range of nuanced points as well as Cambridge making genuinely funny lines and delivery. Try and see.