Review of Cleopatra Jones (1973) by Roberto R — 11 Nov 2007

A silly, but fun movie. I suppose looking back after 34 years you would say that about such a dated film. As at the time hollywood started to join the blaxploitation genre and conjures up "cleopatra jones", a kind of invincible, special agent. Who after every kung fu fight, car chase or shoot out still looks like she has stepped off the cat walk. You have the 70s glamourous clothes, the muscle cars and the cinema theater's showing Deep Throat...yes really is a movie of it's time.

Cleopatra Jones is assigned to destroy the drug trafficking by Mommy (played by shelley winters) who is a very matriarchal looking but overtly lesbian criminal, who dispatches any of her henchmen for failures as would Blofeld in the James Bond series. The late Tamara Dobson who played Cleopatra Jones, has the least dialogue (it would seem) of any of the characters in the film! Chosen to play the lead for her looks then her abilties as an actress. But then again, does it matter, the role isn't lady macbeth! Antonio Fargas plays the role of Doodlebug Simkins as we have come to recognize him from his role as Huggy Bear in the "Starsky and Hutch" television series. Also there are a few familiar faces from American television.

The reaction shoots of the actors are somewhat hilarious in many a shot. Especially Shelley Winters in her fight scene with Cleo Jones. The direction of the film is very much like a television series from the 70s. Kind of light weight, compared to the other films associated with this type of 70s schlock.