Synopsis:
Directed by Nimrod Zalmanowitz, All American Bikini Car Wash is a 2015 film that strays far from the traditional confines of a thoughtful narrative structure. Rather, the screenplay by Patrick Rodio introduces a teenage lad to a world of scantily clad women, while visually amusing the audience with cheap sex jokes, and a myriad of bikini-clad characters. With a budget almost as slim as the film’s plot, All American Bikini Car Wash appeals to viewers who admire frivolous late-night comedies.
The film portrays characters with little depth. Jack Cullison plays the part of Jack, who is a college student and a charming slacker. He is on the verge of flunking out of college. To make matters worse, Jack’s poor attendance and lack of motivation is hardly any better. In a last ditch attempt to get his degree, Jack’s professor offers a bizarre deal: take on a struggling car wash as a manager for extra credit. The premise is that if Jack is able to turn the business around and take initiative, then he’s capable of graduating.
Initially, Jack is burdened with the responsibility, the car wash itself is a rundown establishment with next to no customers. However, with the help of his best friend, Vex, a fast talking party guy with a knack for promotions, Jack comes up with a plan to save the business and earn his credits, transforming the car wash into an all bikini staff operation.
Jack transforms the car wash into a steamy hot spot by adding attractive, energetic, and largely inexperienced women to the staff. To no one’s surprise, business begins to boom. Brisk business is performed as long lines of primarily male patrons arrive to get their cars washed by the effervescent and scantily clad ‘employees’. As his business flourished, Jack’s once struggling car wash gained town wide recognition, and with it, loyal customers and also the interest of local authorities, his professor, and a rival business owner determined to shut him down.
During this time, Jack develops an interest in Melissa, one of the car wash employees, as she struck me as more genuine unlike the rest of her co-workers. Unlike the rest of the employees, she seems to regard Jack as more than just a customer. Their emerging romance adds a layer of emotion to a story otherwise filled with comedy and sex appeal.
As the car wash starts to become increasingly popular, Jack and Vex discover more riskier and crazier challenges. The film reaches its zenith when a local zoning officer threatens to shut the business down for claiming multiple violations of the public decency. At that moment, Jack has to make the difficult decision whether to kill the outrageous business model for the sake of profit, or find a way to legalize it and prove to himself and everyone, that he can be a responsible adult.
Ultimately, Jack is able to turn everything around, reclaim his graduation, and in the process, discover a new sense of purpose in life. The bikini optional car wash retains its charm, while Jack struts away with new wisdom around business, responsibility, and growing up.
Cast & Characters:
Jack Cullison as Jack
Jack is the archetypical slacker college student who, by accident, finds an opportunity to redeem himself. Cullison plays the role with a blend of kinetic charm and daft energy, capturing the “everyman” in an heightened world of absurdity and over-the-top strangeness.
Jason Lockhart as Vex
Vex is Jack’s best friend and a secondary source of humor. Vex is the one who sets into motion the chaotic car wash renovation with his outlandish outpouring of zany ideas. Lockhart brings manic energy to the role, and goes all out with his over-the-top.
Kayla Collins as Melissa
Cassandra Collins as the romantic interest brings some humor to the film as the more serious one who attempts to keep the outlandish cast of characters grounded. Her character adds moments of sincerity, helping temper the film’s otherwise light-hearted and comedic nature.
Mindy Robinson, Ashlynn Yennie, and Scarlett Byrne among others, take on the role of car wash employees and other minor roles. Most are cast more for their visual appeal than dramatic depth, fitting the film’s genre expectations.
Direction & Style:
Nimrod Zalmanowitz knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish with the film All American Bikini Car Wash. The film focuses on ludicrous and completely exaggerated scenarios with plenty of slapstick humor, to suggestive dialogue, and visual gags centered on women. The film is drenched in bright lighting and vibrant colors with fast paced editing which makes it feel like a summertime wonderland.
There is no nuance whatsoever, humor in bikini clad bodies is pointed, The film does not shy away from its target audience. . Most scenes focus on the car wash, which lends itself to the bright and carefree vibe. The film is easily described as simple, which it definitely is, but the visual style alone in combination with the fiction serves the narrative.
The screenplay is enegry loaded with fast paced jokes, exaggerations, foam fights, and even unplanned dancing. Comedic fans looking for crude humor without a bod to call home will appreciate this film.
Analysis and Themes:
Sex Appeal as a Marketing Gimmick:
The bikini car wash film gains a profit from the bikini clad women washing the cars which highlights the narrative of sex appeal selling a product. As an example, in the film a business which is failing is quickly brought to life by visual allure adding to the business.
Coming of Age Comedy:
Under the layers of foam and flirtation from women, there lies a traditional coming of age narrative. As the film progresses, we see the main character Jack’s character develop — starting from a slacker and ending as a confident young adult. Despite some of the scenes feeling superficial, there is a level self-exploratory growth and maturity.
Friendship and Loyalty:
The story is propelled through the bond and interactions of Jack and Vex. They showcase the classic “dreamer and realist” comedy duo and the conflicts or struggles that stem from their companionship.
Fantasy vs Reality:
Throughout the film, an idealistic world is depicted which is believed to be a fantasy. Cunning, cheerful problem solving is shunned in the later portions of the film as the characters are driven to the burdens of adulthood. This brings growth, but just a little.
IMDb Rating and Reception:
Currently, All-american Bikini Car Wash has a rating of 4/10 on IMDb which goes hand in hand with the reviews and ratings the movie has gotten. The movie is widely considered to fail on almost every single metric that determines a good movie to watch. The low rating can, however, be justified by the fact that the movie gives people absolute no-brain fun. and does feature a lot of good looking people and does not require any critical thinking whatsoever.
All-american Bikini Car Wash quickly shows what it is after the very first scene. The movie has no chance to win any awards and is specifically crafted to enjoy this genre of movie: to get a good laugh and grin watching sophomoric sex comedies.
Conclusion:
All-american Bikini Car Wash exemplifies the notion of “disclaim and untwist it,” surpassing the genre of fried marinating in movie oil to pure over-the-top raunchy comedy. The movie is made to be watch on a weekend with friends, no planning and no single brain cell put into it.
Most people will probably miss the depth, originality, or meaningful writing, but if one is searching for the way old school teen comedies used to be, complete with all the ridiculous antics and predictable story arcs, they may find themselves smiling at the absurdity of it all.
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