The filmmaking got in the way of telling a more well-rounded story.

Godfrey Cambridge is a maniac in this film, shifting from slapstick to social commentary, but it's a cinema artifact from another time (1970)/attitude, and worthwhile viewing.

It was a minor miracle, and in great part attributable to Van Peebles, that Watermelon Man turned into such a masterpiece.

Pawing for attention.