‘Hey Good Lookin’: ’80s Animated Cult Classic for Fans of Grimy NYC Movies

With their dirty streets, subway cars covered in graffiti, dubious characters, and unvarnished realism, grimy New York City films carve out a unique space for themselves in the film industry. This gritty genre encompasses movies like ‘Mean Streets’, ‘King of New York’, and more recent releases like ‘Uncut Gems’. They offer a range of tones, from the furious action of ‘The French Connection’ to the campy horror of ‘Basket Case’. Animated films also find a place in this gritty universe, with Ralph Bakshi’s productions frequently regarded as the best. This genre is best exemplified by movies like ‘Hey Good Lookin’, ‘Fritz the Cat’, and ‘Heavy Traffic’, which combine animation with real-world New York street life.

Bakshi is also known for his fantasy novels, particularly the more imaginative ‘Wizards’, which includes orcs, a strange wizard called Avatar, future Nazi sorcerers, and his version of the ‘Lord of the Rings’. However, Bakshi really flourishes in the city, where lesser-known pieces like ‘Coonskin’ and ‘American Pop’ coexist with movies like ‘Fritz the Cat’ and ‘Heavy Traffic’. Unfortunately, his last streetwise New York movie, ‘Hey Good Lookin’, has received little attention.

Image Courtesy: Prime Video 

‘Hey Good Lookin’ appears to be a classic greaser narrative at first glance, complete with a grungy look, exaggerated sensuality, and vulgar humour. But because of its unique touch, it stands out in Bakshi’s portfolio. The film centres on Vinnie Genzianna, a fierce Italian-American gang leader who must negotiate tumultuous relationships and gang rivalry in Brooklyn in the 1950s. 

The picture stays grounded in reality despite its unvarnished and sometimes repulsive features, such as ethnic caricatures and overly sexualized scenes, which sets it apart from Bakshi’s earlier, more fantasy works.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

For fans of gritty NYC movies seeking something new, ‘Hey Good Lookin’ is a must-watch due to its emotional depth and authenticity, even though it lacks the polish of popular classics. 

Even Quentin Tarantino gave the movie high marks, saying he liked it better than ‘Mean Streets’. Despite its flaws, ‘Hey Good Lookin’ is a must-see for fans of gritty films and animation due to its distinct emotional depth and position within the gritty New York City genre.

–Farheen Ali 

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