The first time I saw this movie I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. My family had owned a car wash, detail company before and I could see that the writer of this movie had done his respective homework on the character development!! The motley crew that we had employed, were just about in the exact same 'vein' of life as these, 'cons' 'crazy men' and 'criminals' that made up the perfect cast in 'Carwash'! I loved this for simple reasons, it simply hit right on it.
Sully Boyer, the car-wash owner was a perfectly in place, dis-placed business owner, complete with bad marriage and regrets of owning the wash and not making it a parking lot, like his brother, who could now buy and sell him. There was T.C. (Theodore Chancey Talcott)played by Franklin Ajaye, who's 'hook' in the story was he was imagining that he would be a super hero, named 'The Fly'. "I'd be sharp, sharp, sharp, man. No one would mess with me." Standing with Lloyd by the rag sinks. But he was also in love with Mona. The fine foxy broad who worked at the café, 'Five Spot'. With the whole 'dryer line' to dry the cars as they pulled out from the washing area. The Mexican worker who would harass his Indian friend and back and forth it would go, all the while on the clock! The fighting couple with the classic Mustang to the hippie Jewish kid, well versed in ghetto speak. This movie had it all. Enter Richard Pryor, as the fast-talking money grabbing Rev. Daddy Rich. accompanied by the Pointer sisters! Hilarious!! The more I watch this the more astounded I am at how true to life and form these characters interact with one another.
Even an ending that was serious enough, to put a well-rounded effect on the out come of the plot and m.o. of the players. It showed, Loni cared about a young upstart punk, enough to see more in him than he himself(Ackbar-'Duane')could see for himself. Loni(Ivan Dixon's character)simply believed in Duane. That was what Duane needed to not end up in prison. He needed someone to believe in him, not use him to rob a company and go straight to prison.
I recommend this highly to those who love the seventies, a great comedic 'everyday' work-situation and doesn't necessarily need car chases or explosions, special effects etc. Bravo. (****)
Sully Boyer, the car-wash owner was a perfectly in place, dis-placed business owner, complete with bad marriage and regrets of owning the wash and not making it a parking lot, like his brother, who could now buy and sell him. There was T.C. (Theodore Chancey Talcott)played by Franklin Ajaye, who's 'hook' in the story was he was imagining that he would be a super hero, named 'The Fly'. "I'd be sharp, sharp, sharp, man. No one would mess with me." Standing with Lloyd by the rag sinks. But he was also in love with Mona. The fine foxy broad who worked at the café, 'Five Spot'. With the whole 'dryer line' to dry the cars as they pulled out from the washing area. The Mexican worker who would harass his Indian friend and back and forth it would go, all the while on the clock! The fighting couple with the classic Mustang to the hippie Jewish kid, well versed in ghetto speak. This movie had it all. Enter Richard Pryor, as the fast-talking money grabbing Rev. Daddy Rich. accompanied by the Pointer sisters! Hilarious!! The more I watch this the more astounded I am at how true to life and form these characters interact with one another.
Even an ending that was serious enough, to put a well-rounded effect on the out come of the plot and m.o. of the players. It showed, Loni cared about a young upstart punk, enough to see more in him than he himself(Ackbar-'Duane')could see for himself. Loni(Ivan Dixon's character)simply believed in Duane. That was what Duane needed to not end up in prison. He needed someone to believe in him, not use him to rob a company and go straight to prison.
I recommend this highly to those who love the seventies, a great comedic 'everyday' work-situation and doesn't necessarily need car chases or explosions, special effects etc. Bravo. (****)