Rating: 
Summary: An early 70's must-see
Review: After her younger sister dies (offscreen) of a drug overdose, surgical nurse and one-woman vigilante army Pam Grier sets out to punish those she believes responsible for her sister's addiction. Masquerading as a for-hire call girl, Coffy infiltrates the supposed hierarchy of the city's dope and sex trade in what starts as vengeance for her sister but turns into a crusade to rid the city of all its filth, murdering all along the way, from a small-time pimp and drug dealer (who gets his head blown off shortly after the opening credits) to her congressman lover, who turns out to have a piece of the action as well and is as corrupt as the rest of the bunch. Despite the sober description, this is not an "important" film per se; actually, it's pretty trashy, but fascinating when trying to examine who this movie is made for. I guess we're supposed to root for Coffy as she goes on her murder spree, but, as her "good cop" friend (who naturally is murdered before the end of the first reel) explains to her, the drug problem is already widespread, and who is ultimately to blame? Factor in also that our heroine is also asked to disrobe a number of times for the camera and act very promiscuously, and that instead of the "black heroes" that this genre supposedly provided to the minority audiences, we mostly get pimps, dealers, addicts, chauffeurs :)... At the end, we see Coffy, having recently snuffed out her boyfriend and dejectedly thrown her trusty shotgun on the floor in front of him, walking down a beach alone, almost certain to be picked up by the cops eventually (though the closing credits song proclaim Coffy as "a shining symbol of black pride")...Very cynical filmmaking and confusing stuff--the general message seems to be "everything and everyone around you is polluted--you can try to fight the system, but ultimately, you'll lose." How's that for uplifting the race? Strangely enough, I like this movie for all of its negatives and excesses, and it is an emblem of a time when "blaxploitation" producers and filmmakers were trying to tap into something different, however misguided; reflects a lot of backlash from the supposedly idealistic 60s. Incredible amounts of violence and gobs of gratuitous nudity in this one. A HEAVILY edited version of this was recently shown on TV with Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, who awkwardly tried to promote this stuff as quality Black Heritage cinema. Add some sleaze to your life and rent this one.
Rating:
Summary: THE Movie That Set the Style of 70s
Review: All of Pam Grier movies in the 70s, "Coffy" is the most famous. She deserves it; watch this movie, and you see what so-called blaxploitation films are all about.The fast-paced "Coffy" starts with a dynamite opening, in which Pam's character Coffy lures her enemy into a nasty surprise, and she blows away poor fool's head with a shotgun literally. Then, her mission of eradicating drug racket goes on until a very bitter ending. There are actions, fighting, nudity, and battling girls at a party where Pam uses most unexpected weapon -- salad! Frankly they look rather bland by today's standard, but good soundtrack by Roy Ayres is still wonderful. Probably the most interesting thing about "Coffy" is its gorgeous 70s fashion: music, clothes, and hairstyle. even if you find its story a little stale, you never get tired of watching dresses, glasses, hats, and everything -- they are so big! And surprising thing is that the film to certain extent reflects the political condition of those days (see how a black congressman address a speech about drug issues among Afro-Americans). "Coffy" is one of the movies that set the style of the 70s. Those who are interested in that period should watch it (and the original "Shaft") once.
Rating:
Summary: THE Movie That Set the Style of 70s
Review: All of Pam Grier movies in the 70s, "Coffy" is the most famous. She deserves it; watch this movie, and you see what so-called blaxploitation films are all about. The fast-paced "Coffy" starts with a dynamite opening, in which Pam's character Coffy lures her enemy into a nasty surprise, and she blows away poor fool's head with a shotgun literally. Then, her mission of eradicating drug racket goes on until a very bitter ending. There are actions, fighting, nudity, and battling girls at a party where Pam uses most unexpected weapon -- salad! Frankly they look rather bland by today's standard, but good soundtrack by Roy Ayres is still wonderful. Probably the most interesting thing about "Coffy" is its gorgeous 70s fashion: music, clothes, and hairstyle. even if you find its story a little stale, you never get tired of watching dresses, glasses, hats, and everything -- they are so big! And surprising thing is that the film to certain extent reflects the political condition of those days (see how a black congressman address a speech about drug issues among Afro-Americans). "Coffy" is one of the movies that set the style of the 70s. Those who are interested in that period should watch it (and the original "Shaft") once.
Rating:
Summary: Coffy may have made Pam Grier a star....
Review: but it sure as hell didn't make her an actress... She admits that herself, and she's improved 1000-fold over the years. Acting-wise here, Pam ranges from terrible to awful to below awful (the Jamaican is to die for), but that doesn't mean this isn't an entertaining film. It most definitely is. Whether you just laugh at the bad acting, the bad-looking sets, the improbable set-ups, the cheesy fights (including one cool catfight) or the ever-thinning plot, Coffey set the fundamental tone for hundreds of similar films to come. Few, however, have yet to surpass it. And besides, any film where Pam Grier takes her clothes off every 20 minutes or so can't be all bad (smile). Absolutely worth owning!!
Rating:
Summary: An undeniable blaxploitation classic
Review: Classic blaxploitation film with more twists than a bag of pretzels. The fabulous Pam Grier is Coffy, who seeks to get back at the drug dealers who got her sister hooked. Some scenes range from outrageous to truly tasteless, but despite a few print flaws, the picture has never looked so good on DVD. We're also treated to a running director's commentary and the trailer. "Coffy" is a great revenge fantasy that should belong in your collection, and the rather low price makes it even more appealing.
Rating:
Summary: A Pam Grier classic
Review: Eventhough "Foxy Brown" is my favorite, Pam Grier really shines on "Coffy". Her acting ability matures a great deal in this 1973 classic. She's highly convincing as a nurse out to avenge her sister who was sucked into the depths of drug addiction by money-hungry drug lords. It's evident that her character, Coffy, wants to shake the memory of the execution-style death she vengefully inflicted on the drug lord responsible. She has haunting flashbacks of it and wants to make sense of it all. That's what makes Coffy so lovable- she's not trying to be a bad ..., she just wants justice. And that she gets.
Rating: 
Summary: Exciting and hysterical from beginning to end
Review: Every minute of this movie is a pleasure to watch. Sure, it's low-budget, and early 70's, but there is lots of action, lots of great music, lots of sex and nudity, great hairdos and costumes, and almost every scene will have you in stitches rolling on the floor. The main character's grit and determination to avenge her sister's and her nice-guy friend/cop Carter's downfalls is riveting, even if her actions are sophomoric and a little unbelievable at times. This is one for your personal collection, trust me. Pam rules!
Rating:
Summary: One vengeful mama.
Review: For a blaxploitation movie this one isn't too bad, thanks largely to Pam Grier. She is one tough lady in this interesting retooling of "The Bride that Wore Black," only in this case it is little sister who Coffy is seeking vengeance upon. There is plenty of violence and nudity to thrill, but the movie actually develops a story and posits the moral question whether vengeance is justified if criminals can't be brought to justice. Ultimately, Coffy enters the world of prostitution, posing as a sultry Jamaican bombshell, to get the top crime boss in the city. The movie is vintage 70's with luscious babes lounging around swimming pools, garish interiors and love-inducing fireplaces. Too bad Pam Grier had to wait such a long time to get the plum role of Jackie Brown, building her fame on Jack Hill movies.
Rating:
Summary: One vengeful mama.
Review: For a blaxploitation movie this one isn't too bad, thanks largely to Pam Grier. She is one tough lady in this interesting retooling of "The Bride that Wore Black," only in this case it is little sister who Coffy is seeking vengeance upon. There is plenty of violence and nudity to thrill, but the movie actually develops a story and posits the moral question whether vengeance is justified if criminals can't be brought to justice. Ultimately, Coffy enters the world of prostitution, posing as a sultry Jamaican bombshell, to get the top crime boss in the city. The movie is vintage 70's with luscious babes lounging around swimming pools, garish interiors and love-inducing fireplaces. Too bad Pam Grier had to wait such a long time to get the plum role of Jackie Brown, building her fame on Jack Hill movies.
Rating:
Summary: One vengeful mama.
Review: For a blaxploitation movie this one isn't too bad, thanks largely to Pam Grier. She is one tough lady in this interesting retooling of "The Bride that Wore Black," only in this case it is little sister who Coffy is seeking vengeance upon. There is plenty of violence and nudity to thrill, but the movie actually develops a story and posits the moral question whether vengeance is justified if criminals can't be brought to justice. Ultimately, Coffy enters the world of prostitution, posing as a sultry Jamaican bombshell, to get the top crime boss in the city. The movie is vintage 70's with luscious babes lounging around swimming pools, garish interiors and love-inducing fireplaces. Too bad Pam Grier had to wait such a long time to get the plum role of Jackie Brown, building her fame on Jack Hill movies.
|
