Starring: Queen Latifah, Alicia Silverstone, Andie MacDowell, Djimon Hounsou, Kevin Bacon
Director: Bille Woodruff
Rated: M15+
AFTER two Barber Shop movies, directed especially towards an African American audience, it seems only fair for the men to have a rest and for us to see a female equivalent.
So, here is Queen Latifah in Beauty Shop.
It is a good natured show, though some self-consciously sensitive audiences have felt that it is inversely racist and indulges in stereotypes.
But, isn’t that what broad comedies do? Isn’t that how they work? Stiff upper lip Poms? Loud Yanks? Snobby French? Brash Australians? Everything can be the subject of jokes and humour.
That having been said, the main target of aggressive jokes is Kevin Bacon as the most pseudo of European coiffeurs with a closet full of affectations. This is the “hiss the villain” kind of feel-good show.
When Queen Latifah has had enough of Bacon’s snide comments, she opens up her own beauty shop with the help of her mother (Della Reese) and talented musician daughter.
Some of her old co-workers and clients join her (Alicia Silverstone as a white Georgia girl in the middle of a black staff, as well as Andie MacDowell and Mena Suvari as clients).
Plenty of things go wrong and we join in hoping that all will be put right. Plenty of things go right and the beauty shop becomes a haven and a rendezvous, though a lot of the time we are just listening in to girls’ gossip.
Fortunately, there is a gallant gentleman living upstairs (Djimon Hounsou),who can fix electric connections, can play the piano and teach Latifah’s daughter. He is also not married, so is available for the romantic part of the film. Who could ask for anything more?
One critic was heard to say loudly that he could not stand Queen Latifah because she is always the same, so pleased with herself — with her genial screen presence and warmth.
Why shouldn’t she be?
