Putney Swope is a 1969 American satirical film directed and written by Robert Downey Sr. The film follows the story of Putney Swope, an African American man who unexpectedly becomes the chairman of an advertising agency following the death of the previous chairman. The agency is run by a group of white executives shocked and confused by Putney’s unorthodox approach to advertising. The film satirizes the Civil Rights Movement and how it was co-opted by corporations looking to profit from the struggle for equality (Smoliński, 2022). The film’s humor is often biting and dark, using absurdity and irony to highlight the absurdity and hypocrisy of the advertising industry and the society it reflects. The film was shot on a low budget and was not a commercial success upon its release, but it has since gained a cult following (Archer, 2018). The film depicts the folly and hypocrisy of society through stinging and dark humor and irony in its criticism of the advertising business and the way it reinforces prejudices and bigotry.
The film Putney Swipe is sarcastic, incorporating black humor and social critique throughout its running time. The advertising industry and how it reinforces racist tropes and prejudices are satirized in this movie through absurdity and irony (Corson, 2021). The film also discusses the Civil Rights Movement and how corporations co-opted it. The comedy in the movie is frequently acerbic and bleak, and the filmmakers are not hesitant to deal with the heavy and debatable subject matter.
Regarding the overall quality of the movie, opinions are all over the place. Some critics have lauded the film for its bold and unique approach to satire, as well as for its incisive comments on contemporary society. Others have had negative things to say about the movie, including its uneven tone and low-budget production elements. The film is one of a kind and unconventional, and it does not shrink back from confronting serious and contentious issues in its narrative (Smoliński, 2022). A subculture has sprung up around this movie because of how groundbreaking it was for its era. Those interested in cinema that challenges their way of thinking and is unconventional should give it a shot, even though it might not be for everyone.
The style of the film, especially its camerawork, editing, and sound design, has earned it a reputation for being experimental and non-traditional. Diverse approaches, including jump cuts, handheld camerawork, and unconventional camera perspectives, contribute to the film’s distinctive visual aesthetic (Benshoff, 2019). In keeping with the film’s satirical mood, this generates a sense of bewilderment and disarray. But for some, the ongoing visual experimentation could be a turn off. There is a lot of fast cutting between scenes and visuals in a montage technique that adds to the film’s experimental nature. The result is a sensation of frenetic energy, yet for some viewers, this may be unsettling (Smoliński, 2022). Putney Swope’s sound design is equally unique, blending diegetic and non-diegetic sounds and featuring warped and garbled dialogue. While it contributes to the film’s overall sense of chaos and disorientation, some viewers may find it challenging to keep up. The film’s score is an eclectic blend of R&B, Soul, and Jazz, which perfectly complements its satirical vibe.
The film’s use of satire to comment on the advertising business and how it manipulates people is one of the reasons I liked watching it. Putney Swope, the movie’s main character, takes control of an advertising business and exploits it to spread progressive and socially conscious themes. A critique of the industry and its techniques can be articulated in this thoughtful and persuasive manner. In addition, I appreciate the film’s unorthodox approach to filmmaking, which includes such methods as jump cuts, freeze frames, and non-linear storytelling. The movie’s themes are reflected in the sense of bewilderment and chaos produced by these approaches. On the other hand, I did not enjoy the picture since it had a haphazard approach to its use of humor, with some of the scenes being far too outlandish, and the film’s overall message was not always crystal unmistakable. Additionally, the film’s experimental nature could be off-putting to specific viewers, particularly those who want a more conventionally structured story.
The movie was not commercially successful, but reviewers warmly regarded it. Many of them commended its innovative and daring approach to filmmaking, its parody of the advertising business, and its use of a non-traditional narrative structure. In addition, it is also recognized for the unique period casting of African-American actors in leading roles (Corson, 2021). The film only had a limited release, so it was not viewed by many people when it first came out; nonetheless, it has since evolved into a cult classic and is regarded as an essential piece of independent filmmaking in the United States.
References
Archer, I. D. (2018). White noise. Film Comment, 54(4), 30-34. Web.
Benshoff, H. M. (2019). Blaxploitation filmmaking. In The Routledge Companion to Cult Cinema (pp. 131-138). Routledge. Web.
Corson, K. (2021). Filmography, 1969–1994. In Trying to Get Over (pp. 209-220). University of Texas Press. Web.
Smoliński, S. (2022). Minority Views: “Liberator”, American Cinema, and the 1960s African American Film Criticism. Kwartalnik Filmowy, (120), 144-163. Web.