What can I do with 5 bucks and a sunny Sunday afternoon? I can either attempt to pump 0.5 gallons of regular unleaded gas from Joe's Gas Station into my ever thirsty SUV or spend it matinee style, viewing the highly anticipated sister of "Barbershop." Expecting lasting satisfaction, I opt to do the latter. Bad choice?
What They Say
"After seeing "Beauty Shop, I sympathize with the plight of African-Americans even more than I already did. Imagine being part of a culture that is so under-represented by Hollywood that garbage like "Beauty Shop" is the only thing you have to call your own. Recycled plots, lame jokes, stereotyped characters: Sorry, black America. That's all we've got for you. (I guess it's nothing personal; that's usually all we have for ourselves, too.)
.. No one should have to settle for a franchise re-tread like this."
- Eric Snider, Eric Snider.com
"Beauty Shop is.. better than it has any right to be, this is a smart, funny, well-scripted, well directed, highly entertaining flick that blows away the two Barbershop films it spun off from.. Unlike Barbershop, Beauty Shop is not trying to be political or make controversial statements on the world's situations or how "the man" is suppressing the characters.. It's formulaic, but it works that formula with skill. It's a film that whole families can enjoy, regardless of race, creed or whatnot."
- Jeff Otto, filmforce.com
"No matter how many jokes about big booties BEAUTY SHOP tosses at us, it's nothing more than BARBER SHOP LITE. The women joke about everything. Typical of these discussions is one about how much they hate men who cry, with one of them remarking, "I only got room for one crying man in my house, and he better be wearing diapers." Our audience ate up this movie. I'm sure I'll have to sit through a BEAUTY SHOP 2 quicker than you can say "perm," as in permanent money machine."
- Steve Rhodes, InternetReviews.com
My Opinion
"Beautyshop" stars Queen Latifah as Gina, a single mother raising her young daughter under the roof of her recently deceased husband's family (Laura Hayes, Kisha Knight Pulliam). Gina employed as a stylist in an upper Atlanta salon (Jorges'), deals with the daily frustration of working under a metro-sexual boss, Jorge (Kevin Bacon), and being the only African American in the establishment. She views her position as only a means to an end, ultimately giving her the financial stability to attain independence from Jorges'.
After receiving yet another daily serving of criticism from her boss, Gina quits with the idea that she will open her own shop. Gina journeys to the local bank, equipped with a proposal in reference to her request for a loan. Unmoved by her desire, the homely loan officer denies her request due to lack of equity, capital etc. Not due to excess pigmentation, as Gina presumes. Allowing her creative energy to take control, Gina accosts the loan officer in the restroom, declaring she needs a makeover in order to attract the attention of the bank manager.
She proceeds to provide the unsuspecting victim with an impromptu French roll, decorated with multi-colored paperclips, which convinces the loan officer to grant her a $30,000 loan. This monetary victory signifies the beginning stage of the creation of Gina's House of Style, and the simultaneous demise of this film.
The sense of reality disappears quicker than the edges of a woman with micro braids. A renovation of the set for "Good Times" brings the suburban SWATS Atlanta salon to life. The characters resemble more of a Surreal Life-Barbershop than any Ice Cube flick, an assortment of stars that no longer shine.
Be not dismayed, there are funny points, such as Sheryl Underwood in the role of the mobile caterer behind Rita's Catfish - serving catfish, chicken, greens and the infamous monkey bread (with a patented monkey call.) Although Sheryl's look aides in her ability to pull off the act of the monkey bread, close ups of Adele Given's mouth do not add anything to her role as a radio show host. They are much more effective in reinstating the importance of not sucking your thumb as a child or the need for value priced Invis-align.
Overactive hormones of all genders can be found in this movie. In fact, after viewing the rear end of a female client one female hairdresser in the movie states that she could "eat off that for days." It's sad to say, but I'm more comfortable with hearing R. Kelly scream out his desires to toss a salad or two on the kitchen counter by the buttermilk biscuits than allow a pregnant woman to discuss how to divvy up a living rump roast.
"Beautyshop" gets a fresh new cape for effort, but a kiddie perm for delivery. The intentions were good, but the final product was nothing to be shown at the next hair show. Now I've got to cancel an appointment with my stylist, Connita. After sitting through this nearly 2 hour epic centered on a dysfunctional beauty shop, the last thing I want to do is relive it in live and living color.
- 1 stick of butter.
