Release Date: 07 April 2005

Synopsis :

Gina Norris (Queen Latifah) is a long way from the 'Barbershop' - now she's in Atlanta making a name for herself at a posh Southern salon with her cutting-edge hairstyles. But when her flamboyant, egotistical boss (Kevin Bacon) takes it one criticism too far, she leaves his salon to open a shop of her own, taking the shampoo girl (Alicia Silverstone) and a few key clients (Andie MacDowell, Mena Suvari) with her. Gina buys a rundown salon and inherits an opinionated group of headstrong stylists (including Alfre Woodard), a colorful clientele, and a sexy upstairs neighbor (Djimon Hounsou – currently seen in Constantine).

Movie Review:

Beauty Shop? Think Barbershop.

Beauty Shop is a femme version of the male-dominant and Chicago-set barbershop where the political, social and racial issues are discussed. This film imparts meaningful messages about loyalty, friendship and kinship.

Hardworking single-hood mum, Gina moved from Chicago to Atlanta in order to let her promising talented pianist-to-be daughter further her education in a prestigious music school. To survive, Gina worked in a chic-chic salon owed and run by Jorge Christopher, a terribly accented gay hairdresser, who often pissed off Gina by his opinions and soon become the most-sought hairdresser in the salon. Eventually Gina leaves and be her own little boss in an independent establishment located in nearby streets where Americans-Africans hang out.

Getting financial help from the bank seems tough. However coupled with her EQ intelligence and her beautifying skills, she managed to get a miserable sum of loan.

Faced with financial constraints, she managed to make do with a shabby storefront, turning into the hottest hair haven in town with the help of her family, her new headstrong workers and her good-looking, piano-playing electrician love (Djimon Hounsou) who lives just above the shop. Gina even had employed Alicia Silverstone, the sweet and creative then-shampoo girl in Jorge’s salon and a metro-sexual to be part of her hairdressers. The staff there discriminates her by her race – white.

Soon white society’s customers flocked to Gina’s salon for her fantastic skills and her magic conditioner which almost made her overnight sensation. Besides faulty wiring and shop vandalism, she had to deal with a mean and corrupted neighbouring inspector who seems to be always ready to fine her with any infractions.

Queen Latifah, who is one of the producers couldn’t be any prettier. With her costumes, it has showcased that plus-sized girls can be beautiful too! Besides, Latifah makes these endeavors worth your while. The jovial star brings out the best in those around her, including the prejudiced women who frequent her chairs.

If only she could work her magic on the script to have more funny dialogues. Beyond the sex talk, there’s an evident racial prejudice. Every white character, including Alicia Silverstone, looks shallow. Jokes evolved white race lurch in outdated racial issues. When Gina hires Silverstone, an angry African-American woman shouts: “You aren’t trying to brighten up the place; you’ve trying to whiten up the place.”

Movie Rating: B-


Review by Angeline Ng