Good Hair

Ted Puffer's Movie Rating = 4 Stars

The subject of this movie has got to be one of the hardest sells for a film in a long time. How do you convince someone that a movie about black hair and black hairstyles is interesting? The second they hear that the movie focuses solely on hair relaxers, straighteners, weaves and wigs they'll start running for the doors. And with good reason. The subject is boring for the most part, and a movie-length documentary about it must be excruciating and that's even before you mention who is making the movie.
Chris Rock.
Yeah, that guy. You know him. He's the one that was in a bunch of cringe-worthy 'comedies' last decade and has since been relegated to specials on the Comedy Channel. Not a funny guy, but more damning, not someone you'd care to hear an opinion from.

All of this adds up to why I'm rating this film so highly. It's a good movie. In fact, I'd say this is an excellent movie. One reviewer (I forget who) mentioned that the genius of the direction is that the film flows so well. It covers a large range of viewpoints and experiences, but seems to slide so naturally between them that Chris Rock makes it seem easy. Behind the camera, it's anything but. Mr. Rock interviews Al Sharpton, Ice T, Salt N' Peppa and dozens of unknown hair stylists and people getting their hair styled. But the comfortable delivery and pacing makes these disparate elements come together naturally to create a complete conversation.
It's truly stunning.
The real question is, "Is this a better film than Capitalism: A Love Story"? And I really don't want to answer this question because I'm not pleased with the obvious conclusion I came to. Yes it is. I love the subject of Capitalism. I'm impressed that Michael Moore tackled such a large issue and argument, and did so whole-heartedly. But at the end of the day, and at the end of the movie, Good Hair is better. Even with is narrow subject and personable delivery it makes for a better documentary.
Good Hair makes the audience aware of the world of black hair. Not only that, but it makes the audience care about the larger issues surrounding the perceptions and marketing of the styled look of black hair. Capitalism doesn't. Not really. It does make you righteously angry, and you do feel more aware of our country afterward. But Good Hair delivers the same experience, only more so.

There is a framing element for this film centering around a styling competition, but essentially the outcome doesn't matter. Mr. Rock seems to appreciate this and doesn't milk this event for more than it's worth. He seems to use the competition to guide the movie along, but never to push an agenda or viewpoint.

As a final note, the interview with the black market hair collector in India is worth the price of admission alone. The only word of advise I can give to women with long hair vacationing in India is simply don't go to sleep. Seriously.