Super Fly 1972 is a classic Blaxploitation film about a cocaine dealer wanting to quit the game.
Priest, the main character, navigates through New York City’s drug scene while trying to make one last deal before getting out for good.
Between flashy outfits, iconic music, and steamy scenes, Super Fly explores the harsh reality of surviving in the underworld.
In this gritty tale of redemption and survival, Super Fly is a must-see for fans of urban films.
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Review
Super Fly: A Robert Cialdini-Style Analysis
Super Fly is a 1972 American blaxploitation film directed by Gordon Parks Jr. that follows the story of Youngblood Priest, a cocaine dealer who attempts to make one last big score before he retires from the business. The film stars Ron O’Neal as Priest and Carl Lee as his partner, Eddie.
The movie was a critical and commercial success, becoming one of the most iconic films of the Blaxploitation genre. Super Fly remains relevant more than four decades after its release, and it is worth examining why it has endured for so long. To do this, we can use the principles of persuasion and influence outlined by Robert Cialdini in his influential book “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.”
One reason why Super Fly succeeded was its compelling storyline. The film tells a classic tale of a criminal who seeks redemption and escape from his dangerous lifestyle. Youngblood Priest is portrayed as an intelligent and suave cocaine dealer who wants to leave behind the drug game but must do one last big deal before he can retire comfortably.
This fits into Cialdini’s principle of consistency; Priest has already decided to retire from dealing drugs, so it makes sense for him to do everything possible to make that happen. He is not being inconsistent; rather, he is following through on what he said he would do.
The plot of Super Fly also creates tension by showing us how dangerous this lifestyle can be, and how easy it is to get caught up in it. For example, at one point in the film, Eddie is brutally murdered after an argument over money with another dealer.
This scene illustrates Cialdini’s principle of scarcity; when something is scarce or limited, people want it more. In this case, Eddie’s life becomes scarce because he was one of the only people Priest trusted in his inner circle.
The characters in Super Fly are also key factors in the film’s success. Ron O’Neal plays Youngblood Priest brilliantly as a complex and intelligent character who is rarely seen in movies of this era. Priest is not a one-dimensional villain but is instead a person who wants to succeed on his own terms and has decided that selling drugs is the best way to do that.
Carl Lee, who plays Eddie, also delivers an excellent performance as Priest’s loyal partner who gets caught up in the game and pays the ultimate price for it. These characters fit into Cialdini’s principle of authority; people are more likely to follow those they perceive as experts or leaders.
The soundtrack of Super Fly is also legendary, composed by Curtis Mayfield, and it enhances the viewing experience significantly. Mayfield’s music played an essential role in elevating the film from a standard Blaxploitation flick to a cultural phenomenon that resonated with audiences worldwide.
Mayfield’s songs were more than just background music; they were integral to understanding Youngblood Priest’s character arc and his motivations for wanting to leave behind his criminal past.
The cinematography in Super Fly is also noteworthy, with its use of vibrant colours and unique camera angles that highlight the glamour of drug dealing. It creates an almost dreamlike world where anything is possible if you have enough money. This fits into Cialdini’s principle of liking; people like things that are aesthetically pleasing, and Super Fly certainly delivers on this front.
In terms of critical reception, Super Fly was applauded for its style but also criticized for glorifying drug dealing. Some even accused it of being exploitative towards Black culture by perpetuating negative stereotypes about black men being involved in crime. While these criticisms are valid from some perspectives, we can still appreciate how the film impacted popular culture at large.
Super Fly continues to be relevant today because it transcends its original era with its unforgettable characters, timeless themes, and iconic soundtrack. As Cialdini points out in his book, factors such as consistency, scarcity, and authority can persuade people to take action or change their perception of something.
In the case of Super Fly, the film’s style and characters persuaded audiences to look past the negative stereotypes perpetuated by Hollywood and see young black men as complex humans capable of making their own choices – even if those choices are not always wise.
In conclusion, Super Fly remains a relevant and influential film more than 40 years after its initial release due to its compelling storyline, complex characters, iconic soundtrack and unique visual style. By examining the film through the lens of Robert Cialdini’s principles of persuasion and influence, we can see how it succeeded in captivating audiences then – as it does now. Whether you are a fan of Blaxploitation cinema or just appreciate a timeless story well told – Super Fly is not one to miss!
Technical Data
- Release : 1972-08-04
- Runtime : 91
- Genre : Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Cast : Ron O’Neal as Priest, Carl Lee as Eddie, Sheila Frazier as Georgia, Charles McGregor as Fat Freddie, Julius Harris as Scatter
- Crew : James Signorelli as Director of Photography, Bob Brady as Editor, Bob Brady as Sound Effects Editor, Gordon Parks Jr. as Director, Erik Cord as Stunt Coordinator
- Revenue : $30,000,000
- Budget : $500,000
- Company : Superfly Ltd., Sig Shore Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures
- Popularity : 6.624
- Summary : Priest, a suave top-rung New York City drug dealer, decides that he wants to get out of his dangerous trade. Working with his reluctant friend, Eddie, Priest devises a scheme that will allow him to make a big deal and then retire. When a desperate street dealer informs the police of Priest’s activities, Priest is forced into an uncomfortable arrangement with corrupt narcotics officers. Setting his plan in motion, he aims to both leave the business and stick it to the man.
- Tagline : Never a dude like this one! He’s got a plan to stick it to The Man!
