Details
Movie Description
Queen Latifah reprises her role as Gina, who audiences first met in the 2004 sequel to BARBERSHOP. This time she's the owner of her own beauty shop. A widow and single mom, Gina has moved from Chicago to Atlanta so that her daughter Vanessa (the charming Paige Hurd), a piano prodigy, can attend a performing arts school. Mother-in law Paulette (Laura Hayes) and sister-in-law Darnelle (Keisha Knight Pulliam, who played Rudy on THE COSBY SHOW) live with them. The bills are paid by Gina's job at Jorge's (Kevin Bacon) high-end salon, but his obnoxious personality ultimately proves insufferable. Gina quits her job and decides to get a place of her own, securing a loan with some resourceful tactics. Situated squarely in the ghetto and featuring a revolving cast of eccentric characters, the shop's quirky employees provide a constant stream of witty banter. Meanwhile the electrician who lives upstairs (Djimon Hounsou, AMISTAD) slowly wins Gina's heart. Despite challenges, Gina maintains grace, humor, and a magnanimous air that sees her through everything.
The ensemble cast of this feel-good comedy at times eclipses its good-natured star, who functions as a den mother to the madness. Andi MacDowell and Mena Suvari play wealthy Atlanta socialites who defect to Gina's shop, while Gospel legend Della Reese also makes an appearance. Bryce Wilson's turn as an ex-convict stylist of questionable sexual orientation provides humor at his expense, while Alicia Silverstone's bumbling black-girl wanna-be is so charming that we forgive her fake accent. Building upon the success of the BARBERSHOP franchise, BEAUTY SHOP holds its own both in its comedic acuity, and in its inspirational story of an underdog who comes out on top through force of will and strength of spirit.
Industry Reviews
"Many of the best moments go to a perma-tanned Kevin Bacon, in a bizarre but funny turn as Jorge..."
Sight and Sound - Ali Jaafar (04/01/2005)
"BEAUTY SHOP extends the popular BARBERSHOP franchise to Atlanta and provides a sassy feminine counterpart to its cozy men's-club vibe....Anchored in Queen Latifah's charisma..."
New York Times - A. O. Scott (03/30/2005)
"With a zingy script and a diverting ensemble cast, director Bille Woodruff turns BEAUTY SHOP into a highly entertaining and at times thoughtful treat."
Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas (03/30/2005)
"Jorge is played with perfect comic timing by Kevin Bacon..."
USA Today - Claudia Puig (03/30/2005)
"Queen Latifah exudes a quiet confidence that sort of hugs the movie, making it feel warmer than the BARBERSHOP films..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (03/30/2005)
"[A] high-spirited, sometimes witty farce with a splash of follow-your-dreams romance."
Uncut - Chris Roberts (05/01/2005)
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