"Man, the girl's got more balls than brains. She nuts or what?"
"She's just all woman, lieutenant."
"Damn, I need a beer!"
A funky soundtrack, car chases, shootouts, and the legendary Pam Grier dominate this drama from 1975. It's a film loaded with star power, as aside from Grier, it's got Eartha Kitt(!), Carl Weathers, Yaphet Kotto, Godfrey Cambridge, and Scatman Crothers. Unfortunately, this fine cast is let down by the script. While Friday Foster is entertaining and has its moments, it became tiresome as its silly plot unfolded.
This film is a fascinating (and frustrating) mix of contradictions, having feminism in its strong lead character but at the same time, enjoying quite a bit of ogling (that shower scene comes to mind). There are many "normal" black characters, but there are also rather lazy, stereotypical parts, like the pimp who wants Friday to join his "bevy of beauties." The message at the end, the need for black unity, is meaningful, but along the way there are moments that defy credibility and the story is awfully muddled in its second half. I love that little smile Pam Grier gives us at the end while flanked by two powerful men, and her charisma is almost enough for me to give the film a higher rating, but I was disappointed, and wish it had been better written.
A funky soundtrack, car chases, shootouts, and the legendary Pam Grier dominate this drama from 1975. It's a film loaded with star power, as aside from Grier, it's got Eartha Kitt(!), Carl Weathers, Yaphet Kotto, Godfrey Cambridge, and Scatman Crothers. Unfortunately, this fine cast is let down by the script. While Friday Foster is entertaining and has its moments, it became tiresome as its silly plot unfolded.
This film is a fascinating (and frustrating) mix of contradictions, having feminism in its strong lead character but at the same time, enjoying quite a bit of ogling (that shower scene comes to mind). There are many "normal" black characters, but there are also rather lazy, stereotypical parts, like the pimp who wants Friday to join his "bevy of beauties." The message at the end, the need for black unity, is meaningful, but along the way there are moments that defy credibility and the story is awfully muddled in its second half. I love that little smile Pam Grier gives us at the end while flanked by two powerful men, and her charisma is almost enough for me to give the film a higher rating, but I was disappointed, and wish it had been better written.