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Watermelon Man (1970)

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Movie Info

African-American activist and actor Melvin Van Peebles directed this comedy-drama starring Godfrey Cambridge as Jeff Gerber, a white, middle class husband to Althea (Estelle Parson) and father of two who is also a mild bigot. One morning, Jeff wakes up to discover that he has become a black man overnight. After trying in vain to remove his new pigment, Jeff ventures out into the world, only to discover the hostility he once engendered himself. After his neighbors petition to get him out of the

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Drama, Classics, Comedy

Sep 14, 2004

Cast

All Critics (7) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (0) | DVD (3)

Problem is it hammers home its point about racism being alive and well in America until it becomes annoyingly repetitive and preachy.

June 21, 2010 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comment
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It is not the most stalwart ethnological study of its time, though it is significant for its heritage, its confrontation, and its violation of taboos.

November 20, 2003 Full Review Source: Not Coming to a Theater Near You | Comment
Not Coming to a Theater Near You
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Watermelon Man

The film Melvin Van Peebles made before he did Sweet Sweetback's Baadassss Song. Set during the 60's/0's race riots, Jeff Gerbler is a white gung-ho, un-self-aware and un-popular insurance-selling family man who wakes up one morning to find he's turned black. Cue panic, surpise, adverse reactions from the neighbours

October 25, 2010
lesleyanorton
Lesley N

Super Reviewer

classic message laden movie..Cambridge's signature role...funny and insightful and a cool soundtrack to boot....

June 7, 2008
alanjayh
alan jay

Super Reviewer

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