Watch Watermelon Man

Watermelon Man is a 1970 comedy-drama film directed by Melvin Van Peebles. The movie stars Godfrey Cambridge as Jeff Gerber, a white man who wakes up one morning to find that he has turned into a black man. The film is a satire on race relations and American society in the late 1960s. The movie begins with Jeff Gerber, a bigoted white insurance salesman, waking up one morning to find that he has turned into a black man. He is shocked and disoriented by his new appearance and struggles to come to terms with the changes that have occurred to him. Jeff's transformation has a profound impact on his life as he experiences racism and discrimination first hand.

Throughout the film, Jeff's outward appearance changes, but his inner prejudices and biases remain the same. As he walks through the streets of his neighborhood, he is met with stares and jeers from white people, and a newfound sense of solidarity from the black community. Jeff is forced to confront his own bigotry and learns to empathize with the struggles of those he once looked down upon.

The film's central message is that racism is a systemic issue that affects all members of society, whether they realize it or not. Through Jeff's transformation, the movie explores the ways in which people are unwilling to see beyond their own biases and how those biases are perpetuated by a society that values white supremacy.

The movie's cast is phenomenal, with Godfrey Cambridge delivering a compelling performance as Jeff Gerber. His portrayal of a man struggling to come to terms with his newfound identity is believable and poignant. Estelle Parsons also puts in a fine performance as Jeff's wife, who initially struggles to accept his transformation but decides to stand by him.

The film is both poignant and funny, using humor to highlight the absurdity of racial prejudice, and the ways in which it is upheld by social conventions. One highlight of the film is Jeff's encounter with an African American family, who he previously ridiculed, and who now welcome him into their home with open arms. The scene is heartwarming, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion.

Watermelon Man is a groundbreaking film that addressed issues of race and racism at a time when these conversations were not yet commonplace. The film's message is as relevant today as it was when it was first released over 50 years ago. The movie is an important piece of American cinema history and remains a must-see for anyone interested in social justice and racial equality.

Overall, Watermelon Man is a bold and powerful film that uses satire and humor to explore important issues of race and racism in American society. The movie's message is clear – racism is a systemic issue that affects us all, and it is up to all of us to confront it head-on. With a talented cast, a compelling storyline, and a strong message, Watermelon Man is a classic film that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Watermelon Man is a 1970 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 60.