I have a fond affection for films known as Blaxploitation.
When they were being released I wasn’t quite old enough to see them since most
were R rated, but now that I’ve had the chance to go back and pick many up I’ve
enjoyed them immensely. Not only did they depict a time in history in the black
community, they also heralded the fact that movies didn’t have to be made for
generic audiences, that they could be made by for and by black film makers and
audiences that would enjoy them on their own.
That being said I was disappointed with AMAZING GRACE.
Released in 1974 the film stars Moms Mabley, not only one of the most
well-known black comediennes of her time but well known comedienne in general.
Moms’ famous hat and denture-less look gave her an image that was recognizable
in and instant along with her gravelly voice and delivery. It only seemed
natural that she should make her way to a starring vehicle in theaters.
In the film Moms’ plays Grace, a woman who lives in a black
neighborhood in Baltimore. Returning home from a trip, she brings along
Forthwith Wilson (Slappy White), a just retired railroad conductor looking for
something to do now. Having become friends on his last ride, she allows him to
help her home and in for some fried chicken. Somehow this ends up giving him a
chance to stay there for a while and to help her with a new problem she
discovers once home.
It seems that a new neighbor is running for election for
mayor of Baltimore. Welton Waters (Moses Gunn) is a well-dressed, well-educated
man with whose wife Creola (Rosalind Cash) seems more intent on remaining in a
drunken stupor than anything. Curious as to why this man would run for mayor,
Grace and Forthwith begin surveilling him, going so far as to plant an
elaborate bug in his house. What they discover is that Waters real motive in
running is to offer a candidate who will take away enough votes from a man who
has a chance at defeating the current mayor so that he can be elected once again.
All of this is paid for by white money men who control the current mayor and
want to continue doing so.
Grace refuses to allow this to happen to her neighborhood
let alone for someone to shame the black community with this low life scheme.
After a near knock down drag out with Creola, she shames Waters into admitting
what is going on. Then she works with him and her community to actually make
him into a candidate they can be proud and supportive of.
I’d love to say this was a good movie but in truth it left a
lot to be desired. To begin with Mabley, while perhaps a funny presence with
her standup routine, doesn’t have the power to carry and entire film by herself
and that’s what they have her doing here. Not only that but many of the jokes
or humorous setups seem to go one much longer than they need or have the
ability to sustain. It’s great to see her in a film that will live on as well
as several other famous past black actors like Steppin’ Fetchit and Butterfly
McQueen, but it would have been nice to see them all in something more worth
remembering.
The production values of the film are very weak, appearing
no more technical expertise than a poorly filmed sitcom from the time. While
the acting is strong in some of the main performers the story is truly the
worst thing here. What needs to happen suddenly happens with no rhyme or reason
given other than Grace wants it to be. Characters change their lifestyles and
patterns with only a few words passing between them and someone like Grace, the
biggest of which is a man who will sell out for tons of money who suddenly when
approached by someone who says shame on you turns around and sells out his
backers.
I’m sure there is a place for this film in the history of
Blaxploitation. It shows that there was more to that genre than horror films,
pimps and black gangsters. But there was more worth watching in those films
than can be seen here. Suffice to say that if you loved Moms, if you want a
complete collection of Blaxploitation films or if you just want to say you’ve
seen it then by all means pick this up. The rest of you might want to just pass
it by.
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