While "Cooley High" may indeed be accurately described as a black inner city reworking of "American Graffiti" (it's set in 1964 Chicago), it's nonetheless quite entertaining, taken on its own terms. It works because it effectively combines a lot of laughs with some believably poignant moments, and because it feels completely authentic. It's played to perfection by an eager young cast, and features many of the top Motown hits of the day.
Glynn Turman stars as Preach, an intelligent high school kid who loves poetry and who is prone to squandering his gifts by getting into trouble. His best friend is life-of-the-party type Cochise (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs), a basketball player who's won a college scholarship.
This was written from the heart by Eric Monte, who obviously followed that old adage of "writing what you know". His characters are full of life and completely engaging, winning our sympathies early on. Monte went on to create the memorable TV sitcom 'Good Times'.
Plenty of vivid on location shooting only helps to immerse the viewer in this environment. Michael Schultz directs with style, and seems to have allowed his talented actors enough room to improvise. Schultzs' diverse career includes such favourites as "Car Wash", "Greased Lightning", "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", and "The Last Dragon".
Out of the primary cast members, only Turman and Hilton-Jacobs had careers that endure to this day, but everybody on screen does good work. Garrett Morris of 'Saturday Night Live' fame is solid as a rock as well meaning teacher Mr. Mason. The lovely Cynthia Davis plays the role of Brenda, a love interest for Preach. Steven Williams ('21 Jump Street', 'The X-Files') has the small role of Jimmy Lee. And Robert Townsend is an extra, as a basketball player in gym class.
As it goes on, it doesn't play out as a fully fleshed out narrative, but more a series of vignettes, until it looks as if the escapades of Preach, Cochise, and pals will have serious consequences.
The conclusion manages to be heartbreaking and, ultimately, hopeful at the same time.
This later evolved into the 'What's Happening' TV series.
Eight out of 10.
Glynn Turman stars as Preach, an intelligent high school kid who loves poetry and who is prone to squandering his gifts by getting into trouble. His best friend is life-of-the-party type Cochise (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs), a basketball player who's won a college scholarship.
This was written from the heart by Eric Monte, who obviously followed that old adage of "writing what you know". His characters are full of life and completely engaging, winning our sympathies early on. Monte went on to create the memorable TV sitcom 'Good Times'.
Plenty of vivid on location shooting only helps to immerse the viewer in this environment. Michael Schultz directs with style, and seems to have allowed his talented actors enough room to improvise. Schultzs' diverse career includes such favourites as "Car Wash", "Greased Lightning", "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", and "The Last Dragon".
Out of the primary cast members, only Turman and Hilton-Jacobs had careers that endure to this day, but everybody on screen does good work. Garrett Morris of 'Saturday Night Live' fame is solid as a rock as well meaning teacher Mr. Mason. The lovely Cynthia Davis plays the role of Brenda, a love interest for Preach. Steven Williams ('21 Jump Street', 'The X-Files') has the small role of Jimmy Lee. And Robert Townsend is an extra, as a basketball player in gym class.
As it goes on, it doesn't play out as a fully fleshed out narrative, but more a series of vignettes, until it looks as if the escapades of Preach, Cochise, and pals will have serious consequences.
The conclusion manages to be heartbreaking and, ultimately, hopeful at the same time.
This later evolved into the 'What's Happening' TV series.
Eight out of 10.