A multiplex comedy tooled for Oprah Winfrey’s vast legion of fans, “Beauty Shop” encourages the shouting and hollering that frequently erupts in Oprah’s studio audience. There’s even a scene in which the beauty shop quiets down for a televised Oprah homily.
| Lots of stars: A spin-off of the “Barbershop” movies has Queen Latifah presiding over a crew of cut-ups in an Atlanta salon. Not as edgy as the male version, although some of the many guest stars (including Kevin Bacon and Andie MacDowell) get some laughs.
Rated: PG-13 rating is for subject matter. Now showing: Everett 9, Loews at Alderwood, Marysville 14, Mountlake 9, Pacific Place 11, Woodinville 12, Cascade |
This movie should connect with that audience. It would be nice if it were as funny as the first “Barbershop” movie – its direct inspiration – but it doesn’t have the nerve to push things that far.
“Beauty Shop” does have Queen Latifah, as Gina, who was introduced in “Barbershop 2: Back in Business” last year. She’s moved her hair-cutting skills from Chicago to Atlanta, and finds herself working for a dreadfully hip salon owner (Kevin Bacon, sporting a Henry Kissinger accent and car-accident hairdo).
Gina opens her own little place in the inner city, and her staff of hair-cutters resembles the goofy crew that decorated “Barbershop.” Included are a stylist who channels Maya Angelou and wears clothes that reflect “the motherland” (Alfre Woodard has a good time in the role), and Gina’s sexy, rebellious sister-in-law (former “Cosby” kid Keshia Knight Pulliam).
As in “Barbershop,” there’s a token white cutter, a Southern lass played by Alicia Silverstone (whose dance-floor scene had the preview audience howling). Her presence makes a couple of old-timers quit the shop, but Gina maintains a policy of colorblind hiring.
“Beauty Shop” touches on racial issues, but it never kicks around really edgy stuff. This is a playful enterprise, and even the main plot line – someone may be sabotaging Gina’s business – is lazily pursued.
The film has a roster of guest stars, who flit in and out. Most prominent among them is Andie MacDowell, as a proper married lady ripe for loosening up; Mena Suvari, as a society deb who thinks she needs breast implants; and Djimon Hounsou, as the electrician who lives above the beauty shop and provides a little (very laid-back) love interest for Gina.
Old pro Della Reese is good as a customer, and Sheryl Underwood steals a couple of scenes as a woman who trundles her fried-catfish cart into the shop. There’s also a pint-sized Lothario played by Lil’ JJ, a child actor with the sure-footed comedy instincts of an ancient vaudevillian.
Queen Latifah produced “Beauty Shop,” along with the “Barbershop” folks. Her easy, confident presence is still here, but she moves through this movie like a producer, almost as though she’s watching everybody else have a good time. She was such a delight in “Bringing Down the House” that you want her to take over, but she’s coasting on her good vibes. She knows her personality can carry any scene, which makes you wonder whether a career as a talk-show host is her ultimate role. Somebody has to inherit Oprah’s crown.
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