Buy the DVD:

SuperFly

SuperFly is one of the definitive blaxploitation films in American cinema. In my opinion, however, blaxploitation films are more stereotyped views of Black life during the 1970s than movies. These films are time capsules of American culture rather than masterpieces, as they strived for commercial success over stellar scripts, famous actors or award-winning performances.

SuperFly is no different. It stars Ron O’Neal as Priest, a drug dealer looking to get out of “the game” before he ends up dead or in prison. He also wants to “stick it to the man”—the White man and the cops. Priest’s partner in crime is Eddie (Carl Lee), and his main squeeze (along with many women “on the side”) is Georgia (Sheila Frazier). Heard any familiar names yet? Probably not. For all of these actors, their roles in SuperFly were arguably their most memorable.

Director Gordon Parks, Jr. has some notoriety, however. His father, the late Gordon Parks, was a renowned photographer and director of perhaps the most famous blaxploitation film, Shaft. Elements of photography are obvious in SuperFly, with montages including series of pictures rather than live film. Gordon Parks, Jr. effectively captured the “cool” aspects of drug-dealing in the 1970s,—expensive cars, luxurious suits, women galore and loads of money—while Priest left “the game” to escape violence, and possible death, incarceration or betrayal by friends.

SuperFly’s soundtrack, performed and conceived by the late Curtis Mayfield, is the movie’s real claim to fame. In fact, the soundtrack outgrossed the film itself. Despite the film’s message, Mayfield’s music is politically-charged, racially-conscious funk, and is considered a cornerstone in its genre.

Everyone should see this film at least once (its stereotypes are blatant to the point of humor), and true movie buffs should add this film to their collection, if only for the soundtrack.

Written by: Katherine E. Webb

Reviewers Rating: 5
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0

Rate It