BEAUTY SHOP (2005)

Many link the word conflict with war, but it can also be an opposing action or idea of an individual.  The moment of conflict creates a new and unfamiliar situation, which either is subtle, obvious, or somewhere in between when it creates a change.  For a storyteller, it is necessary to incorporate a conflict of some sort, as it awakens drama, thoughts, and direction for the story.  When conflict is missing, the story looses its appeal and the audience easily lets their attention drift into a new direction.  On occasion, a presented conflict follows a formulaic theme, which leaves the audience hanging without a clear narrative.

Gina Norris (Queen Latifah) has relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, with her daughter Vanessa (Paige Hurd) after she has recently lost her husband.  With the help of her mother-in-law, Gina works at an upscale hair salon owned by Jorge (Kevin Bacon), while she has someone at home for Vanessa.  However, Jorge is a difficult boss and Gina decides to take her hair styling skills elsewhere.  At this moment the film becomes interesting, as it combines light humor with an interesting conflict.  Nonetheless, the conflict evaporates through the depiction of the story, as the potential struggle disappears through a push on the easy button.

Several difficult situations emerge, but each time director Bille Woodruff erases Gina’s predicament with another scene that solves the problem.  There is never any true problem in the story, as it gets solved as soon as it is presented.  Not that Gina deserves trouble, as she must have had a difficult time loosing her husband.  However, some form of lasting conflict would make the story a little more interesting.  For example, when Gina has electrical problems the electrician lives upstairs, when she is going through a tough time it does not feel problematic, and when she is short of money she still wears a Tiffany necklace.

The film is extremely upbeat and positive, which definitely has something to do with Queen Latifah’s character Gina.  Gina never sees the glass as half empty, as she always see the potential in bad hair and talent.  She is a true trooper, leader, and entrepreneur that will walk over mountains and swim oceans before giving up.  This is where the film’s strength rests, unfortunately the director does not portray a problem for Gina that would illustrate her ability to lead and conquer her troubles.  This is why the film turns into an uninteresting experience, as the conflict presented is not great enough for a forceful character such as Gina.

It is essential for the storyteller to present conflict that displays some form of struggle whether it is cerebral, physical, psychological, or social struggle.  Beauty Shop presents the notion of a conflict, but it is without struggle, as everything magically falls into place.  One of the positives in the film is the terrific cast, which includes talents such as Queen Latifah, Djimon Hounsou, Kevin Bacon, Alfre Woodard, Andie MacDowell, and Alicia Silverstone.  The film also has warm and welcoming cinematography that frames the flawless mise-en-scene (maybe to flawless).  Combined, the many aspects of filmmaking produce a below par film, which disappoints rather than surprises.

DIRECTED BY
Bille Woodruff

COUNTRY

USA
REVIEWED
BY KIM ANEHALL – 8/30/2005
GRADE


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