Good Hair Documentary Movie Review
Chris Rock Doc About Black Hairstyles Amuses, Informs, and Shocks
Oct 21, 2009
One of actor-comedian Chris Rock’s daughters inspired this documentary with her question to him about why she didn’t have “good hair.” Funny, entertaining, and packed with facts, figures, and an astounding revelation, Good Hair should appeal to all audiences concerned with today’s cross-cultural obsession with physical appearance.
Rock’s humor, a collection of glamorous celebrities willing to share their hair stories, and an outrageous hairstyling competition make this comical documentary a timely statement about the lengths to which some people will go – and how much they will pay – to meet the currently accepted standard of beauty.
Chris Rock Learns About African American Hair
Whatever else a documentary accomplishes, first and foremost it must be interesting in order to impart its message. Rock’s comical approach to the subject and a talkative cast of unusual characters achieve this goal. The message here seems more of a general examination of a cultural phenomenon than a real push to change a system that keeps women addicted to hair creams as if they were crack cocaine and sucks money away from those who can barely afford it and into the deep pockets of foreign hair merchants.
A well-written script and Rock’s quick wit and sharp interviewing skills keep the celebrities, salespeople, hairstylists, and other subjects comfortable and candid. Even discussion of sensitive subjects, such as the cost of weaves, the dangers of hair relaxers, companies getting rich from black hair products, and physical intimacy among African American women go smoothly under Rock’s good-natured interrogation.
Black Hairstyles: Raven-Symone, Nia Long, Vanessa Bell Calloway
In addition to visiting a hair salon, barbershop, scientific laboratory, hair convention, and India (where he makes a shocking discovery), Rock interviews an impressive group of celebrities to find answers about the culture of black hairstyles.
Beautiful young actresses share their secrets about styling, swimming, and even sex – all in the interest of advancing knowledge about black hairstyles. Ice-T sounds off on his likes and dislikes, and the Reverend Al Sharpton gives his opinions on the subject. Even poet Maya Angelou has something to say about the relationship between hair, image, and self-esteem.
Bronner Bros. Hair Convention in Atlanta
Good Hair uses the Bronner Bros. Hair Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, as the framework for the movie. The individual stories of four contestants and the dealings of the convention exhibit hall intertwine with other elements like strands of thick straight Indian hair in a thousand-dollar weave.
The climactic competition – the Hair Battle Royale – in which stylists cut hair under adverse conditions in front of judges and an audience, provides an entertaining look at the business of hair. Though this leaves the audience laughing, as the film’s conclusion the competition lacks any specific call to action regarding the more controversial aspects of the culture surrounding black hair care.
- Good Hair
- This documentary by actor-comedian Chris Rock explores the culture and economics of black hairstyles.
- Starring: Chris Rock, Maya Angelou, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Eve, Ice-T, Nia Long, Raven-Symone, Al Sharpton, Andre Harrell, Melyssa Ford, Meagan Good
- Director: Jeff Stilson
- Writers: Lance Couther, Paul Marchand, Chris Rock, Chuck Sklar, Jeff Stilson
- Run Time: 95 minutes
- Rating: PG-13 (for some language including sex and drug references, and brief partial nudity)
- Additional Information: First-time director Jeff Stilson is a comedy writer (The Chris Rock Show, The Daily Show) and producer (The 77th Annual Academy Awards [2005], The Osbournes).
For more information about Good Hair, visit the official website. To learn more about African American documentaries, read Movie Review of More Than A Game.
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