at the surface cooley high be a snappy ensemble comedy masquerade a a period piece ( set in the early 60 and complete with a flawless motown soundtrack ) . but there so much more to this film it get well every time i see it . the cast of unknown ( at the time ) be excellent and and it be notable a an all black cast film that doesn not fall into any blaxpoitation clichés at time cooley high almost feel like an update and urban neo realist film and with lot of edgy humor add in . at time and the rather tight budget do show and but the constraint actually serve the film well there a grit and honesty of emotion here that lend the film an immediacy lack in most similar mind film ( like schultz later car wash and which be more popular and but largely pointless ) warm hearted but also true to life and this might be one of the sleeper of the 70 celebrate at the time and it seem that few film freak know about this one today . their loss this be a fine and fine film . the bare bone pan and scan dvd ( no widescreen . ) be testament to just how little care for this excellent film be .