Good Hair
DIR: Jeff Stilson • WRI: Lance Crouther, Paul Marchand, Chris Rock, Chuck Sklar, Jeff Stilson • PRO: Jenny Hunter, Kalynn Jenkins, Kevin O’Donnell, Jeff Stilson • DOP: Cliff Charles • ED: Paul Marchand, Greg Nash • CAST: Chris Rock, Tanya Crumel, Kirk, Jason Griggers, Maya Angelou, Ice-T, Eve, Salt N’ Peppa, T-Pain
Good Hair is a HBO documentary detailing all one ever wanted to know about the hairstyles of African-American women, but was afraid to ask. With focus on the expensive habits of weaves and relaxer (a hair treatment the women use which would usually be recognised as a perm) and exploring trends and where they came from, the film was based on an interesting premise. However, once the narration kicked in, it felt more akin to the CBS show Everybody hates Chris. Not being one of Chris Rock’s biggest fans, his constant wisecracking teamed with the distracting camerawork meant that initially I didn’t enjoy the film.
It was the compelling interviews with well-known celebrities and the interesting cultural insights that re-engaged me. Although, at one stage when investigating Sodium Hydroxide, the active ingredient in ‘Creamy Crack’/Relaxer, Chris Rock dissolves a can in the substance, which is presumably a much more concentrated solution, being a Michael-Moore-style manipulating the facts.
The film touches on some very interesting social and gender issues, while exploring, not only the subject of ‘Good Hair’, but racial identity and an insight into the world of black women in America. Chris Rock has a good rapport with his interviewees, and after getting used to his delivery I found he provided a relaxed and personal tone to the pieces – although his constant referral to his own daughters seemed a bit unnecessary.
The seriousness of the social problems is juxtaposed with the ridiculousness and frivolity of the Bronner Brothers’ annual hair convention. And in the end the insaneness wins over the content with this becoming the focal point of the documentary. There were important issues that should have been looked at in more detail, instead of spending so much of the content dwelling on a fancy dress, upside-down-cutting, hair-themed farce.
Although Good Hair walks the line between an MTV-funded, reality TV show and a genuinely engaging documentary, it still manages to remain entertaining throughout.
Gemma Creagh
Rated 12A (see IFCO website for details)
Good Hair is released on 16th July 2010
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