A blaxploitation take on
W.R. Burnett’s classic crime novel The Asphalt
Jungle—previously filmed as a 1950 film noir by director John Huston—Cool Breeze nearly works. The intricate
story about a criminal mastermind gathering cohorts for a jewel heist is filled
with betrayal and danger, so the narrative fits comfortably into the
blaxploitation milieu. Furthermore, the film’s acting is generally very strong.
However, first-time writer-director Barry Pollack’s inexperience shows. He
fails to reveal exposition clearly, so it’s hard to track who’s doing what
to whom, and nearly every scene has the same level of intensity, which creates
tonal monotony. That said, the picture has a gritty look and a thumping
soul-music soundtrack, so what it lacks in narrative polish, it makes up for in
tough atmosphere.
The antihero of the piece is Sidney Lord Jones (Thalmus
Rasulala), a slick thief who just bribed his way out of prison. Planning the
robbery of a vault containing diamonds worth millions of dollars, Sidney gets
into business with Bill Mercer (Raymond St. Jacques), a wealthy crime boss who
agrees to bankroll the job. Sidney then hires accomplices including a priest
who moonlights as a safe-cracker and a ne’er-do-well Vietnam vet who provides
muscle. Also lurking around the story are various cops—some corrupt, some
honest—including the unhinged Lt. Brian Knowles (Lincoln Kilpatrick).
The movie
toggles between subplots at weird rhythms, as if Pollack can’t decide whether
he’s making an ensemble piece or telling Sidney’s story, but many vignettes are
vivid. On the lurid side of the spectrum, the always-ravishing Pam Grier shows
up for one sexy scene as a hooker servicing Sidney, and on the character-driven
side of the spectrum, supporting actor Stewart Bradley entertainingly chews
through his role as an exasperated police captain. (Discovering that Mercer has
a young mistress, Bradley goes off on a rant: “I can tolerate a little
masturbation. I can tolerate a little sodomy. Let him cavort with a cow! But an
old man with a nice, pretty, young girl—that’s too much.”)
Playing a bookie helping
Sidney set up his team, Sam Laws gives the movie’s most amusing performance,
because his character is likeable, flabby wimp who whines whenever danger is
near. As for Rasulala, he’s appropriately cocky and smooth throughout the
picture. Had Pollack’s skills been sharper, this same cast and story
could have coalesced into something really memorable; as is, Cool Breeze is entertaining but
frustrating. (Available at WarnerArchive.com)
Cool Breeze: FUNKY
1 comment:
Never heard of this one. I absolutely wanna check this out!
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