REVIEW: Foxy Brown (1974)

1974, American International Pictures

Director:
Jack Hill
Producer:
Buzz Feitshans
Writer:
Jack Hill

Cast:
Pam Grier [Foxy Brown], Antonio Fargas [Link Brown], Peter Brown [Steve Elias], Terry Carter [Michael Anderson], Kathryn Loder [Katherine Wolf], Harry Holcombe [Judge Fenton], Sid Haig [Hays]

Plot:
Foxy Brown has finally found her true love in undercover narcotics agent Michael Anderson. Michael has just had reconstructive surgery after working on one of his most important cases. However, when Michael’s cover is blown, he is viciously murdered by a drug pushing/prostitution ring run by couple Steve and Katherine. In an attempt to avenge Michael, Foxy disguises herself as a hooker. Reluctantly, Foxy’s brother Link is forced into helping her. However, to ensure that Foxy will get payback, she gets help from a reliable group of revolutionaries.

Review:
After one of her biggest action turns in 1973’s COFFY, Blaxploitation queen Pam Grier was ready to tackle the role again in what was originally a sequel entitled BURN, COFFY, BURN. However, when the production company decided to pass on a sequel, writer/director Jack Hill crafted this film which is virtually a grittier remake of COFFY. The difference between this and COFFY is that the viewer doesn’t know what Foxy does for a living. This was a direct result of Hill having to re-write the COFFY sequel as the film which is reviewed here.

Grier once again shines on the screen, combining her sensuality with her butt-kicking side. Like COFFY, Grier’s character is motivated by revenge. In this case, she is avenging the death of her boyfriend. It may seem somewhat typical these days, but in 1974, this was a trend that dominated most action films. Using her looks to pose as a hooker, Foxy does what she can to bust the crime syndicate down in typical and at times, very violent fashion.

The great Antonio Fargas gives great support as Foxy’s troublesome brother Link. Link is seen as a playboy and constant troublemaker. However, when needed, he pulls through to help big sister out. As with many blaxploitation films, the villains are primarily white and in this case, they come in the form of a couple who run a syndicate that combines prostitution and drug running. In a cameo appearance, a far cry from his badass henchman in COFFY, Sid Haig provides unwitting help as helicopter pilot Hays.

The film will truly be known for three things: Pam Grier of course, the soundtrack by Willie Hutch, and one of the most insane climatic moments in action film history. Let us put it this way. One will never think of “pickle jars” the same way ever again after seeing this film.

FOXY BROWN is truly one of the gems of the blaxploitation genre. While it was originally conceived as a sequel to COFFY, Pam Grier correctly gained even more popularity with this film.

AlbertV’s Rating: A