Cry Uncle!

Cry Uncle! is a notoriously offbeat detective comedy that made its debut in 1971. Combining elements of mystery, suspense, and humor, the movie finds the balance between sleaze and satire. This American-made film features the acting talents of Jackson Beck, Pamela Gruen, and Allen Garfield. This coterie of performers brings life to a narrative that's as sordid as it is side-splitting.

The film is directed by John G. Avildsen, who would later go on to direct the iconic movies Rocky and The Karate Kid. Cry Uncle! was also produced under the banner of Troma Entertainment; this film showed signs of the unique and daring movie-making that company would come to embody.

Cry Uncle!, described as an "exercise in sleaze" by renowned film critic Leonard Maltin, is centered around the shenanigans of Jackson Beck, who plays Jake Masters - a middle-aged, overweight, and wholly unimpressive private investigator spending his time in relative obscurity. However, Jake is not as down-and-out as he might seem, as he possesses an unexpected knack for sleuthing that makes him an unexpectedly effective detective.

Our comical hero spends the film embroiled in a sleazy murder mystery that starts when he is hired by the eccentric millionaire, Arnold Boston, played by Allen Garfield. Boston, in a bid to prove his innocence after being implicated in a murder case, hands Jake Masters the case of a lifetime. The movie chronicles Jake’s journey wading through the seedy underbelly, engaging in daring pursuits, encountering mysterious women, and facing off against nefarious characters, all in the name of discovering the truth behind the crime.

Pamela Gruen delivers a memorable performance as the mercuric Dolly, a pivotal character who has her own set of secrets to hide. Her encounters with Jake Masters add many layers to the detective's quest as he navigates interpersonal complexities while doggedly pursuing leads.

Cry Uncle! is also notable for being director of photography's Bruce Surtees' first solo outing. Having previously shot movies like The Beguiled and Dirty Harry, Surtees' cinematography in Cry Uncle! manages to make even the dingiest settings of the movie look enticing and fill the narrative with visual intrigue.

The movie combines elements of sexploitation and noir mystery, resulting in an unusual blend that makes this film stand out. Cry Uncle! is both graphic and satirical, simultaneously presenting itself as a gritty detective story, a send-up of the detective genre, and a comedic nod to the growing trend of risqué filmmaking in the 70s.

While Cry Uncle! paints an unforgettable, if slightly absurd, detective story, the movie also criticizes and draws attention to the societal norms of the time, particularly in how it blatantly parodies the pulp-fiction figures of the femme fatale and the tough, no-nonsense, gumshoe detective. This audacious examination of the societal norms of its era is part of what has allowed the film to linger on in film history, a wild testament to the daring cinema of the 1970s.

Cry Uncle! is not for the faint-hearted or those seeking a conventional movie-going experience. It is a darkly humorous take on detective and exploitation cinema that pushes boundaries and bawdy buttons while serving as a fascinating glimpse into independent filmmaking at the end of the counterculture era.

Blending an intriguing mystery with a dash of audacious humor and a liberal measure of risqué content, Cry Uncle! remains an unforgettable cinematic experience. The movie's unique storytelling style and lively performances create an engaging rhythm that keeps audiences intrigued from the very beginning until the end credits roll.

This movie is likely best suited for those who appreciate experimental narratives, vintage charm, and a good measure of saucy comedy. Whether you're a film history buff or a fan of unconventional mysteries, Cry Uncle! offers a spicy slice of 70s cinema that serves as an entertaining reminder of a bygone era.