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Film review
Good Hair
Dir. Jeff Stilson. 2009. PG-13. 95mins. Documentary.
Good Hair is a slipshod doc about a fascinating subject: the loaded history and current complications of African-American hairstyling. The film is especially powerful in how it offhandedly shows certain races fomenting and exploiting the desires of others—these range from the obvious (the Caucasian-manufactured longing among black women to look more white) to the illuminating (the majority of black hair products are processed and sold by Koreans).
Yet our tour guide through this sociopolitical miasma, Chris Rock, merely sees it as an opportunity to crack wise. It doesn’t matter if Rock is in a Harlem barbershop or an Indian hair-weave factory—there’s always a punch line or a snooty eye-roll to be had. The comedian’s shtick has rarely felt so stale and desperate, so disconnected from the very real cultural quandaries he and director Jeff Stilson uncover. They structure the film as if it were a cousin to Rocky, slowly building up to a competitive bit of tomfoolery at the Bronner Bros. International Hair Show. Cut-’em-down quips at the ready, Rock blithely parades through talking-head interviews with everyone from Salt-N-Pepa to the Rev. Al Sharpton. The latter at least has a good story about how Martin Luther King Day came about; let’s just say it involves James Brown and a lot of relaxer.—Keith Uhlich
Opens Fri. Find showtimes
Time Out New York / Issue 732 : Oct 8–14, 2009
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What better ambassador could you find to expose a black issue to a larger non-black audience? Chris Rock is a very wise man, andit seems he got to the core of a large issue without a lecture to be found. Well handled.
Are some of you kidding. Chris did an excellent job of exploring the issue in a way that did not marginalize nor shame anyone. The movie was both exploratory as well as provocative. Did some of you expect Chris to come out pointing his finger exclaming "shame on you..." Any reasonable person knows why these hair practices are done within the black community. If you need Chris to tell you why it's done them to bad for you. Buy a clue. Allow me to sell you a clue, Chris Rock is a comedian... duh!!
I agree with your review! I am a black woman who fought the perm all my life before I finally said GOOD RIDDANCE. Nowhere in his film does he really explore this issue. It's OK to laugh at the situation, but it's not a joke. At the end of the movie my only thought was.... it could have been so much better.
have you even seen the movie yet? The only ignorant thing here is you. I, natural hair wearing, woman of color, have seen the movie, and LOVED it. Do you need to know that I am college educated? I have lived abroad and have a degree in anthropology? does that make my opinion more valid to you? less "ignorant" "This subject deserves intensity and seriousness" Why? because it isn't intense, painful and serious enough.? I value humor, I value his approach, it makes it accessible and opens dialolgue
Chris Rock cannot take anything seriously. This subject deserves intensity and seriousness; it's such a serious subject. Don't make me laugh just because you can. We need dive-in and get all uncomfortable and analytical about it. Spare you tomfoolery you snooty funny man who makes me laugh everytime I hear I you.
Hater!
I agree with the review. Chris Rock simply doesn't have the chops to take on this very serious subject, and I seriously doubt I'll learn anything new from this documentary. Sure, it might get people talking about black hair, but ignorance is rampant when it comes to this topic, and I really don't have the desire to hear a bunch of ignorant people spread their ignorant views on the subject.
It's Chris Rock. Did you really expect to see this movie and him NOT make at least one humorous remark? Sounds like you need to stop being a douchebag :0/