Car Wash

In a somewhat morbid coincidence, Channel 5 in the UK managed to have this scheduled for the day after Richard's Pryor's death. And to be sure - even though he only has a 2-minute cameo - it is a harmless, lightweight affair, and the sort of material that would attempt to be a tribute to a very entertaining career. Although in truth, this is NOT a great film. A huge cast of characters all seemingly singing from the same hymn sheet, you'll struggle to distinguish between most of them given that they're all playing the same role. Each even mildly humorous wisecrack is greeted with a chorus of "YEAH, WOOHOO, YEAH"'s from the entire workforce. Very annoying. And the 'Car Wash' tune will be imprinted on your brain for a couple of days after you watch it, seeing as they play it close to 400 times throughout. Nothing to write home about, but not altogether without its moment's. 5/10

source: Car Wash

Trailer—Car Wash

Car Wash

This movie is at the top of my guilty pleasure list. The pace of the movie is very good, introducing many loveable loser characters and their situations quickly and effectively. The ensemble cast moves effectively throughout the movie without stepping on one another. There is a sense of comraderie and spirit that is engaging. The cameos of George Carlin and Richard Pryor actually digress from the action and the multiple stories at play. Obviously, this is not an Oscar winner, but it is good fun, sometimes touching, and entertaining from start to finish. It's also a good look at LA in the 70's. And, it's one of the few movies where voice over narration actually works.

Car Wash is the type of film that doesn't go any where, but thats only because it doesn't need too. Along with a good script, there are a lot of characters (maybe enough for two movies for Schumacher to put in) which bring the movie through its lulls. My favorite was George Carlin as the cab driver who was looking for a tall, blonde, black chick. But the only problem was I wanted to like his character more, but his character (also like my other favorite character, Richard Pryor, as Daddy Rich) was not well developed and was not in the movie that much. Even so, that doesn't bother the funny scenes that go on during one day at a L.A. car wash. Well meaning and humorous throughout.

Car Wash is absolute genius. Here you have 1976 Los Angeles, the day in the life of a car wash. With the funky sounds of Rose Royce laying the back drop to the wacky, zany, out of control antics of the employees and various visitors to the Dee-luxe car wash, you simply can't go wrong! Marsha, the wanna be chic/vogue cashier is delightful to watch, "I got a date"! T.C. (Theodore Chaunce) has an alter ego called "The Fly" zzzzzzzz. Floyd and Lloyd, aspiring entertainers are ridiculously funny, "Is ribs pig?". Duane, uh I mean Abdula, the frustrated militant "I don't eat slave food. Is that alright with you?!" Calvin, the pesky skate board riding kid, "See you tomorrow, turkeys." And his mom, "Boy, look where you're going'!" And all the rest. Car Wash is a must see if you haven't already see it. And shame on you if you haven't!

Following American Graffiti, a bunch of slice of life movies were made. Car Wash is a look at a day in the life of average Joes who have to work for a living. It looks at people who's dreams can't be wrapped up in their 8 to 6 minimum wage job. Their life, is their cars, their families, their politics, their music. They come to work and try to find ways to make the days bearable. Like Sisyphus pushing his rock ever uphill, the only satisfaction, comes at the end of the movie; at the end of the day. The drive for the top has a great beat driven by Rose Royce and punctuation by the pointer sisters. I love the tempo of this little movie and its always satisfied me.

After so many years of only reading about this movie, I finally watched Car Wash on Netflix Streaming. Richard Pryor has an amusing cameo as a reverend with The Pointer Sisters providing accompaniment and George Carlin is a taxi driver looking for the hooker who stiffed him but the real stars are the ensemble employed at the title place. Among them are: Franklyn Ajaye, Garrett Morris, Melanie Mayron, Antonio Fargas, Clarence Muse, Bill Duke, and Ivan Dixon in a rare acting role during this decade since he was busy as a director of such films like Trouble Man and The Spook Who Sat by the Door. Joel Schumacher's script isn't always hilarious but there are moments that do provide genuine laughs. Michael Schultz' direction keeps things on an even keel. And don't you just dig the cool songs written by Norman Whitfield and sung by Rose Royce especially the title tune? So on that note, I recommend Car Wash.

Q.Why has this film got such a low rating on IMDb? A.Could it be the world has been taken over by Daddy Rich! This film is priceless because it captures a snapshot of the 1970's. Moreover it portrays a day in the lives of a group of people working in a California Car Wash. Of course it's part soap, part chain of skits, part cameo, but it's all packaged into pure 70's perfection. Feel Good and enjoy. Positives - Funny, Funky Soundtrack, Richard Prior, Pointer Sisters, Superfly (zz zz ..), Mona, Hippo, Ears, pa - iss! Negatives - None Overall - Got soul, then get this