Review of Coffy (1973) by Phillipé S — 23 Apr 2012
From writer/director Jack Hill, whom Quentin Tarantino cited as a major influence, comes this hard and heavy blaxploitation film, made after producers American International missed out on making Cleopatra Jones, so they turned to Hill to come up with something, and this is what he made.
Coffy (Pam Grier) is a nurse whose sister has been left brain-damaged by drugs and now has to live in a rehabilitation home. So, by day, Coffy is a nurse, and by night, she's getting vengeance on drug-pushers and pimps around Los Angeles.
Coffy has a friend in police officer Carter (William Elliot), who used to date Coffy years before, but they're just friends now, and Coffy dates Howard Brunswick (Booker Bradshaw), who is a high ranking city councilor, who is close to becoming district attorney.
After Coffy tracks down and kills some dope pushers, she finds herself being the wrath of the Mafia, with her life in danger, when pimp King George (Robert Do Qui) and mob boss Arturo Vitroni (Allan Arbus) on her tail, she learns the truth about those nearest and dearest to her.
It's a tale of revenge that doesn't let up or hold back any punches. It has some good moments, like a cat fight with loads of female prostitutes, and a grisly racist murder. But, it made Pam Grier a star for a little while.
This review of Coffy (1973) was written by Phillipé S on 23 Apr 2012.
Coffy has generally received positive reviews.
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