Car Wash is about a close-knit group of employees who one day have all manner of strange visitors coming onto their forecourt, including Richard Pryor as a preaching ‘wonder-man’ who is loved by most but loathed by one, and a man who looks like a thief by the way he is holding his bottle, but it is really his urine sample as he is off to the hospital. T.C’s love life takes a turn for the better and the songs keep coming.

“Car Wash” is a film that is really hard to describe when it comes to plot. In some ways, it’s a lot like the later “Barbershop” films but with a lot less depth as well as a bit like “American Graffiti” for Black Americans. However, the film is great for anyone who remembers the 70s–especially if they love the soul music of the time. That’s because Rose Royce’s soundtrack is VERY enjoyable and you can’t help moving your feet as you watch the film.

The picture is a semi-plot less story about a single day at a car wash in Los Angeles. It’s made up of LOTS of little vignettes–s few which were pretty funny and one or two that were poignant. While a few of the bits fell pretty flat (such as the Richard Pryor cameo), overall the good outweighs the bad. Particular standouts in the film are Ivan Dixon (a fine, fine actor who is great here but also is unfortunately known most for “Hogan’s Heroes” and not fine films like “Nothing But a Man” as well as the many shows he directed) and Franklin Ajaye–though they were all pretty enjoyable. My feeling is don’t try to look for a lot of depth or story–just sit back and soak it all in, as it’s like a flashback to the funky 70s. In other words, a nice glimpse into the time and a wide array of ethnic characters with a wide array of hopes and dreams.

I’ve seen this film a few times (the last time was tonight) and for folks my age or a bit older (I’m nearly 50), it’s a nice bit of nostalgia.

By the way, look for the character ‘Lloyd’ (part of a singing duo)–this is Otis Day from “Animal House”! It’s also a treat seeing Antonio Fargas (Huggy Bear from “Starsky & Hutch”) as a gay transvestite! It’s also nice to see the old-time actor Clarence Muse in the film as well in one of his final films.