SHAFT

This film has so much going for it.  

Richard Roundtŕee is compelling as black private detective John Shaft - unflappable,  sardonic,  simmering with anger, sexy, and cool as hell. There are some great supporting characters as well, such as white police Lieutenant Vic Androzzi and black mobster Bumpy Jonas.

Shaft has antagonistic relationships with both, and indeed with most of the guys he comes across.  With women it's a different story of course.

There is the iconic score by Isaac Hayes, which contributes in no small measure to the overall vibe. What I wasn't expecting was how gorgeous the cinematography makes gritty 1970s New York look, like a series of Edward Hopper paintings brought to life.  There's a brief sex scene early on which is shot in a very subtle and artful way, for example.

The director Gordon Parks first made his name as a photographer and photojournalist so perhaps it's no great surprise that the look of this film is so accomplished. 

The story is OK - a Mafia mob has kidnapped Bumpy's daughter - and the action sequences are likewise fine, but the film stands out for its overall feel and for the sharp dialogue throughout.  There's some nice touches of humour - there's a great scene where Shaft pretends to be a barman so that he can have some fun with a couple of Mafia hoods.

Racial politics are not handled in a heavyhanded way but instead are floating in the background.