Car Wash is about a close-knit group of employees who one day have all manner of strange visitors coming onto their forecourt, including Richard Pryor as a preaching 'wonder-man' who is loved by most but loathed by one, and a man who looks like a thief by the way he is holding his bottle, but it is really his urine sample as he is off to the hospital. T.C's love life takes a turn for the better and the songs keep coming. Written by
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G-Man-25 from Iowa City, IA
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A great ensemble cast, a loose, funky script that left room for improvisation and a great (nonstop) pulsating disco/soul soundtrack make this film a pleasant diversion and definitely a document of its' era. It also served as a blueprint for many other primarily black-cast comedies to come. When writing 1997's "Friday," Ice Cube was quoted as saying he wanted to create a fun film just like "Car Wash." Many funny scenes, some in questionable taste, but still harmless enough. For those who lived through the period, it'll bring back some memories.
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PopcornMan11 from Los Angeles, CA
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You know what...I am sick of people hating on Car Wash. Most of us loved it, and when watching it again, it plays as a homage to the funk of the 70's.
When I first saw Car Wash, I thought it was just a silly goofball movie but watching it again was special. The new DVD comes out may 15 I believe, and it will aim the flick to a hipper audience. Most of us loved the soundtrack, and it is unfair to call this movie "trash".
In my opinion, the director did a great job with Gary Stromberg and Joel Schumacher's ideas. Wonderful film...rent it today for Richard Pryors best work yet!
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Edgar Soberon Torchia (estorchia@gmail.com) from Panama
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It is possible that in a hundred years a film like 'Car Wash' will have lost part of its comic effect, but of one thing we can be sure: because of its value as a document of an era, it will aspire to the term of 'classic' more than futile but pretty recreations of the past, such as 'Barry Lyndon' and the Ivory-Merchant productions, all of which may be more efficient technically-wise, but are all lacking a heart. 'Car Wash' is a collective and populist film about the spirit of community. It is also a motion picture with a few symbols thrown in, probably unconsciously. Since their creation, cars have always been a symbol of status: you are what you drive. The happy-go-lucky car washers offer a 'de luxe' service for all: they give the business a 'special touch' with their multi-racial hands --not only Negroes, but also Chicanos and native Americans--, through another symbol: water, the classic icon of purification and universal conscience. Surrounded by a group of very well defined characters (especially, since they are drawn by single strokes, or have very little screen time to develop psychological traits: they are characterized by their actions), three persons stand out: Mr. B (capital), Abdullah (revolution) and Lonnie (kindness.) The greed and neglect of the lustful and amiable car wash owner is contrasted with the anger and resentment of the dry and humorless political activist. In the middle comes the ex convict, who ultimately will settle things around the film's central issue: work. We cannot forget most of the issues referred to in the film in a casual way, as we normally do in daily life, and related to the multiple characters: love, religion, prostitution, parenthood, homosexuality, social climbing, class rejection, money, class struggle, sex, and above all, music, which is the unifying element. Norman Whitfield did such a good job, that he not only established the rhythm of the action, but its atmosphere, tone and feel. It generates such positive energy, that in the end all of the virtues that appear combined with the vices of the fast, consumerist and violent urban life, as well as the suffering of some of the characters, come to the fore: love, compassion, tolerance, patience, solidarity, friendship, happiness. That makes 'Car Wash' a joyful and universal parable of survival in the latter days of capitalism. And that is not an easy achievement for a little film, directed by an African-American and aimed at a very reduced population.
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moxhambi from United States
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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.
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Brian Washington (Sargebri@att.net) from Los Angeles, California
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This is one great film. Any film that has both George Carlin and Richard Pryor (even if their roles only amount to cameos) can't be all bad. This film also features one of the most underrated comics of all time in Franklyn Ajaye as T.C.. His attempts at trying to get the beautiful Mona to go out with him are what helps to make this film great. Also, the assortment of characters that hang out at the car wash are what make this film great.
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Benjamin Wolfe from USA
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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 cafe, '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. (****)
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sneekspeeks from united states
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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!
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Lee Eisenberg (lee.eisenberg.pdx@gmail.com) from Portland, Oregon, USA
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Richard Pryor's recent death brings to mind all his work, including "Car Wash". This movie portrays one day in the life of several car wash employees in LA. They get a gaggle of wacky customers (including Pryor as cool dude Daddy Rich). Also, some people are trying to develop relationships with each other and such things. Among the other people in the movie are George Carlin as a taxi driver, DeWayne Jessie (aka Otis Day in "Animal House") as one of the employees, and also Antonio Fargas (who apparently played Huggy Bear on "Starsky and Hutch"). Maybe the movie is very much a product of the '70s, but that's part of what makes it so great. A true comedy gem.
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ndimeo from Woodbury, New Jersey
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I am only 21 years old and have lived in New Jersey all of my life. I never experienced the 1970's nor have I been lucky enough to live in southern California. This movie gives me the best of both worlds, to me this movie represents southern California during the 1970's as it truly is meant to be. It's not about young rich white guys going surfing, or the limelight of Hollywood it just shows you a common everyday struggle of a man trying to make an honest buck in sunny southern California in the 1970's. The movie uses both humor and realism to make it's point. One thing that is a mystery to me about this movie is that for some reason as time has passed Danny Devito's role in the movie has vanished. A great movie that will stand the test of time!
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Woodyanders (Woodyanders@aol.com) from The Last New Jersey Drive-In on the Left
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This very funny, lively and engaging comedy hoot offers a slice-of-life seriocomic cinematic snapshot of a single frantic day at an inner city Los Angeles car wash. Michael Schultz directs with great galvanizing zeal and panache, stringing together a wacky and enjoyable series of freewheeling vignettes with a positively breathtaking sense of smoothness and assurance. Joel Schumacher's witty and colorful script offers plenty of warmth and humanity along with the often uproariously raucous humor. The varied and personable cast have a field day with their vivid characters: Bill Duke as an angry Muslim, Ivan Dixon as a wise, hard-working parolee, Sully Boyar as the harried owner, Franklyn Ajaye as an amiable dreamer, Tracy Reed as a sweet waitress, Antonio Fargas as a flamboyant homosexual, Lorraine Gary as a stuck-up upper class white lady, Jack Kehoe as an affable cowboy, Pepe Serna as a jovial Hispanic, George Carlin as a flaky cab driver, Lauren Jones as a sad hooker, Professor Irwin Corey as a middle-aged guy who's mistaken for a pot bottle bomber, Garrett Morris as a jivey hipster, Melanie Mayron as the sexy cashier, Tim Thomerson as a handsome hunk, Richard Pryor as slick hustler reverend Daddy Rich, and the Pointer Sisters as Daddy Rich's gospel singers. Frank Stanley's polished, sparkling cinematography, Norman Whitfield's funky, dynamic, syncopated soul score, Christopher Holmes' snappy rhythmic editing, and Rose Royce's fabulously groovy classic hit theme song add further bounce and energy to the infectiously frothy, playful and sprightly proceedings. Best of all, there's a constant joy and vibrancy evident throughout which makes this movie an absolute uplifting treat to watch.
bottle|car wash|native american|afro|shoeshine|left wing politics|fired from the job|bookie|overweight man|cowboy|waitress|cross dressing|wrong telephone number|prostitute|revolutionary|left winger|pot smoking|marijuana|suspicion|paranoia|muslim|african american muslim|one day time span|evangelist|taxi driver|radio contest|gay character|body cast|attempted robbery|armed robbery|female sitting on a toilet|automobile|limousine|african american|bad smell|cult film|homosexual|
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Certifications:
Australia:M / Finland:K-12 / Iceland:12 / Ireland:PG / Netherlands:MG6 / Norway:11 / Norway:12 (original rating) / Spain:13 / Sweden:11 / UK:PG / USA:PG / West Germany:12
Movie Details:
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