I’ve Finally Watched…is back again with my review of…Petey Wheatstraw: The Devil’s Son In-Law.
A 1977 blaxploitation film with Rudy Ray Moore as a stand-up comedian who is targeted by a competing entertainment duo. The entire premise/plot is thin. So, in order to make their heavily invested premiere a success, two entertainers terrorize Petey and his friends who is opening the same night, ultimately killing him.
Because…I assume there can only be one.
So, the film starts out with a larger than life Petey who is being born in a small shack like environment. I had a few, WTF moments while watching this film. Now, my experience with blaxpoitation is limited at best though, I am certain that nothing could have prepared me for watching Petey’s mother actually giving birth to a large watermelon…yup watermelon twin, before giving birth to an entire grown ass 12 year old boy.
Throughout the film, the characters eat Watermelon as if it is prime nourishment. I wonder if there is a reason for this Watermelon love in other films in this genre but I will say it had my mig broke all the way down. I will say, I kept asking if a Black person wrote and directed this, considering the stereotypes. Still, the film was somewhat entertaining if you take it for what it is, dated and overly dramatic on purpose.
When Petey dies, Lucifer takes him to Hell and makes a deal wirh Petey to marry his daughter. No one wants to. But Petey got to go back above to get his revenge before the happy day. Lawd…this revenge was drawn out due to Petey not wanting to die…I guess.
We are treated to bad acting, kung fu (ALL characters know and are grossly untrained in), and the most greasy cringe worthy sex scenes I have ever had the pleasure of watching. And I was still entertained!
Lucifer, played by the handsome and articulate G. Tito Shaw, was one of the only visual highlights and seemingly the only person capable of acting in the entire film. .
When Petey refuses to return to Hell and marry Lucifer’s daughter, all Hell comes for him. But folks…if Hell is this weak…I’ll be running things in a matter of days when my time comes.
Petey Wheatstraw is a movie you want to watch when you are in the mood to laugh and talk through the plot with a few friends while eating tacos and drinking some kinds of stimulant. I tried not to take it too seriously and to not get too offended by US exploiting ourselves. These types of films are a sign of the times.
And…I was still entertained
Look of the film: 4
Plot: 1
Character Development: 1
Overall Movie: 3
Did you see, Petey Wheatstraw: The Devil’sSonIn-Law?
What did you think?
SheaSwainWrites 