Blow Dry

Rating:
Summary: It Has Its Moments
Review: This movie couldn't decide if it wanted to make you laugh or cry but it was reasonably entertaining nonetheless. The premise was reminiscent of "Strictly Ballroom" and such but it didn't quite make it to the same level. Alan Rickman, who is always to be relied on for a good performance, did the best he could with an odd role for him, and Natasha Richardson was also competent but somehow they both seemed out of place. Josh Hartnett, another strange casting choice, was actually better than I would have expected. Overall, I think the unresolved question of whether this was a tragicomedy or an over the top, whacky farce defeated it in the end.

Rating:
Summary: Understated Humor
Review: This movie has great understated humor that is intellectually pleasing without being slapstick. It reminds me of the sort of movie one sees Steve Martin in but without his eccentric presence. On its face, it is a pretty straight forward comedy about a small town's chance to be in the spotlight and an atypical family's chance to reunite. A good smathering of those silly hairstyles one would see on the runways that nobody would ever wear in public. There is a great message about living life the way one wants underneath the main plot if you look for it. There is a good ensemble cast with Alan Rickman doing a great job as Phil Allen. Not Josh Harnett's biggest or best performance, but he does a good job in the smaller role. I suspect that this is the bellweather for the kinds of movies we will see him throughout his career. The ladies also played their roles well.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful and affecting.
Review: This movie is way better than Full Monty. You care about each of the characters right from the first scene and keep on caring about them beyond the finish of the movie. This is one of the best movies of the year and didn't get the exposure it deserved.

Rating:
Summary: COMIC COIFFURES
Review: Who would have thought a movie about a hairstyling contest in a little village in England could turn out as delightfully comic and poignantly touching at the same time? BLOW DRY is one of those undiscovered gems that surprised and impressed me. The movie's hairstylists are to be commended for their outrageously hideous, sometime enchanting, always interesting hairstyles. The cast is almost letter perfect, with some of the supporting players stealing several of their scenes. Alan Rickman as the betrayed husband of Natasha Richardson brings his usual stoic charm to his role, and Richardson is wonderful as the ex-wife who learns she has terminal cancer. Richardson left Rickman for their model played with youthful relish by the talented Rachel Griffiths. Josh Hartnett, with an acceptable British accent, shows his versatility in stepping out of his usual heartthrob roles to play Richardson and Rickman's son, who has followed his father's barber footsteps but wants to participate in the contest too. Rachael Lee Cook as Christina is given a poorly developed role, but she plays it with such innocence and grace she comes off well. Bill Nighy (who was so wonderful as the hasbeen rock star in "Love Actually") is delightful in his role as Rickman's egotistical rival, and brings his spit and venom into the role. Warren Clarke as the mayor is remarkable as we watch him change from skeptical bystander to a truly involved host. The movie also uses some great songs that actually match the scene going on, i.e. "Couldn't Get It Right" by the Climax Blues Band; "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by Santa Esmeralda, and "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers.
BLOW DRY is a delightfully refreshing movie; I Haven't seen "The Big Tease" , so I can't compare it with that movie. But for me, BLOW DRY is one of those pleasant surprises that come along and give me faith that people are still out there creating enjoyable movies without too much sex or violence. Although what happens to Heidi Klum is pretty funny! You'll have to watch to find out what!