Superfly
Superfly
Directed by Gordon Parks, Jr.
Photographed by James Signorelli
1972
Starring: Ron O'Neal, Julius Harris, Sheila Frazier
Listen to Superfly Soundtrack - Curtis Mayfield
Violent, gritty, funny, dark, dynamic, violent but overall truthful, Superfly is easily the best blaxplotation flick to come out of the early 70's. Inspired(and financed) by his father's unexpected success with Shaft, Gordon Sparks Jr. set out to make his low budget masterpiece. From its first scene, the film grabs your attention, not necessarily because of the photography, it's not particularly the best one, but because of its dazzling soundtrack. Curtis Mayfield, deity of soul music, spawned one of the best musical experiences I have lived to date. The track Freddie's Dead makes me want own to go buy a purple suit with a top hat and walk around with a cane, but unfortunately that's not a bold option amongst my company. GOD, IT'S SO GOOD. Apart from the glorious soundtrack, the film is brimming with powerful messages tackling issues in black communities, that are still strikingly relevant today. In order to make more money out of this poorly financed film, the plot is crammed with violence and sex and drugs, exploiting the contemporary issues that were going on at the time. Although the film does glorify and embrace the violence and controversial issues, the positive intention is clearly there. Admitting the acting is not the best alongside the poor production, the whole outcome is surprisingly absolute. The scene when Eddie is talking to Youngblood about how important he feels, having the power and the money and being black just feels so honest. "And I'm guna live like a prince! A fucking black prince! Yeah, this is the life!" This is simply the best scene in the picture, it feels organic, depicting the swift road to the brief American Dream.
