Review of Cooley High (1975) by Santiago S — 14 Apr 2012

Before I saw this film, I expected it to suck, but I was surprised when I finished it and found it moving. Movies aimed at a black audience in those days(1975) were B-movie material but this one made up for it with a touching story based on then- successful scriptwriter Eric Monte's youth (who would later waste all his earnings on a crack addiction).

Now I know why it's being compared (oftentimes more favorably) with youth themed films of that period, "American Graffiti" and "The Big Chill", both of which I also saw. I was also surprised to see someone very light skinned as the lead character's love interest, Cynthia Davis (she should have made more films after this, she was really fine).

And of course, "It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday" the song playing towards the end of the movie which was later covered by Boyz II Men, what a very moving song.