OLD SCHOOL VIDEO PICK
Foxy Brown
FOXY BROWN
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

Year Released: 1974
Running Time: 91
Production Company: MGM Studios
Directed by Jack Hill
Director of Photography: Jack Hill
Screenwriter: Jack Hill
Like most blaxploitation movies, Pam Grier's Foxy Brown is a real low-budget flick. It even bears a strong resemblance to Grier's breakthrough 1973 film, Coffy. The difference is there are more fun and outrageous fight scenes in Foxy Brown. This time around Grier is seeking justice for her murdered boyfriend. His death was orchestrated by her no good brother (played brilliantly by Antonio "Huggy Bear" Fargas). Fargas is on the run because he owes some hoods some big money from running numbers. He makes a deal to pay off his debt by ratting on Foxy Brown's drug addicted boyfriend. The thugs wind up killing him and Foxy Brown pulls out all the stopsā??which includes hiring a group of vigilantes-- to find the killers.


The plot may be paper thin, but Foxy Brown is heavy on action thanks largely to Grier's powerful screen presence and humorous dialogue.


Grier said that blaxploitation movies like Foxy Brown opened the doors for other actresses both on the silver screen and in television. Actresses such as the late, Theresa "You're Under Arrest Sugar" Graves, who played a feisty cop in the '70s Televisions series, "Get Christie Love, took a cue from Grier.


"People just weren't used to seeing a woman in a lead action role," Grier said during an interview I did with her two years ago for The Source magazine. ."Most people loved the fact that my character was independent and strong-willed. "It's no coincidence that these themes coincided with the civil rights and equal rights movement for women. I was an extension of that social, independence and equality."


And, when it came to black, female action heroes on the silver screen, no one could touch Grier. She could fight three men at a time while wearing platform boots, tight, hip-huggers and never break a sweat or mess up her shapely 'fro. She was a real woman if ever there was one.


While Grier had a string of successful movies during the 70's notably, "The Big Doll House," "The Big Bird Cage," "Sheba, Baby," "Friday Foster," and Coffy, she will probably be best known for Foxy Brown." While Tamara "Cleopatra Jones" Dobsonā??another blaxploitation vixen-- tried to follow Grier's lead, she couldn't compete with Grier's star power. Even Hollywood couldn't resist Grier's seductive sex appeal and her tough as nails demeanor. She redefined the genre and became one of the highest grossing female action stars. Consequently, Grier is affectionately referred to today as the Queen of the blaxploitation era.


However, not everyone was thrilled when Foxy Brown made it to the big screen. Many critics and organizations such as the NAACP and C.O.R.E. attacked Grier and blaxploitation films in general for what they believed were stereotypical, violent and sexist characterizations of black people. Ironically, Foxy Brown was one of a handful of films that had a strong anti-drug message. Still, others applaud Grier for her work and for being an icon and pioneer. Many feel she helped break down barriers for black women in the industry.


Today, Grier's Foxy Brown and Fred Williamson's Black Caesar are considered two of the most important politically and socially relevant movies to come from the blaxploitation era.

Foxy Brown continues to reach new audiences. Last year Destiny's Child star, Beyonce Knowles paid tribute to Grier in her role as Foxxy Cleopatra in Austin Power's movie, Goldmember. Earlier this year, MGM signed Halle Berry to star in an upcoming re-make of Grier's, Foxy Brown. No date has been set yet for the release.


"Pop culture tends to go in cycles," says Grier. "That's what is happening now with blaxploitation movies. "I wouldn't call it a renaissance per se, but it is good to see people discussing these films and acknowledging their cinematic importance."