Car Wash
Seen it?1976 | 97 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 6.0 out of 10 from audiences and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved La La Land or West Side Story, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 37 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Made in 1976: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
This day-in-the-life cult comedy focuses on a group of friends working at Sully Boyar's Car Wash in the Los Angeles ghetto. The team meets dozens of eccentric customers -- including a smooth-talking preacher, a wacky cab driver and an ex-convict -- while cracking politically incorrect jokes to a constant soundtrack of disco and funk. Some of the workers find romance as the day moves along, but most are just happy to get through another shift.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.0 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
Won 2 Cannes awards: Cannes Film Festival: Technical Grand Prize, Cannes Film Festival: Best Music. Also nominated for 1 Golden Globe and 1 more Cannes award. Plus 1 other award.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$14 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 80K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed musical romantic comedy.
West Side Story Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed musical drama.
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Weeknight WatchAnother musical drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Michael Schultz
- Ivan DixonLonnie
- DeWayne JessieLloyd
- Bill DukeDuane – Abdullah
- Franklyn AjayeTheodore Chauncy "T.C." Alcott (The Fly)
- Sully BoyarLeon "Mr. B" Barrow
- Melanie MayronMarsha
- June PointerThe Wilson Sister
- Bonnie PointerThe Wilson Sister
- Anita PointerThe Wilson Sister
- Ruth PointerThe Wilson Sister