One would never confuse Chris Rock with Michael Moore, but here's the comic acting like the rabble-rouser in "Good Hair," a fascinating look at the multi-million dollar industry and the amazing cultural phenomenon created by hair for African-Americans, primarily women. The movie opens today.
Apparently, or at least publicly, it all began when one of Rock's two small daughters asked him why she did not have good hair. Rock went off on a world-wide jaunt, visiting India, where much of the long, dark hair comes from; Atlanta, where hair-dressers engage in strange competitions to see who can make the most outlandish creation; Hollywood and New York barbershops and hair-dressing emporiums, where he interviewed dozens of people, famous and not.
For a Caucasian who has gone without much hair for many years, it's a very interesting journey. I never knew a man was faced with outrage and anger if he ran his fingers through the hair of his beloved, especially if she has a weave or a perm. The former involves attaching new hair from someone else to old hair of your own; the latter deals with the long-time use of harsh chemicals to straighten hair. Both are painful and expensive, but Al Sharpton has one, and he speaks of it at length.
Others who talk about the philosophy, social meaning and related issues of the hair trade include writer Maya Angelou, actors and entertainers like Nia Long, Salt-and-Pepa, Tracie Thoma and Ice-T, plus many others like the group of men in a barber shop, some of whom complain bitterly about the lack of contact, others who say they prefer white women with whom they can achieve this intimacy.
In addition to being the star, Rock's film was directed by Jeff Stilson and they share the writing credit with Lance Crouther and Chuck Sklar. It's an interesting story, well-made and highlighted by Rock's sense of humor.
At Multiple Locations
-Joe
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