DVD Review: Barbershop (B+)

Directed by Tim Story
Starring Ice Cube, Cedric The Entertainer and Sean Patrick Thomas
MPAA: PG-13
Grade: B+

Review by Scott Standish

Calvin Palmer has inherited his father's barbershop and is intent on keeping it in the family. However, financial pressures to provide for his family make him reconsider. The shop has become a neighborhood institution, where people can discuss the issues of the day and share a few laughs. But when Calvin considers the money he'd gain by selling and the fact that his wife has a baby on the way, he makes the move to sell.

What happens next really propels the movie Barbershop forward. Calvin sees just how much the shop means to the community and starts to have a change of heart. The change that Calvin (played quite well by Ice Cube) goes through seems real and therefore Barbershop is not just a wacky comedy set on Chicago's south side. This is a movie with lots of heart.

The joking, the arguments and the discussions among the staff and the patrons of Barbershop are very entertaining and at times a little insightful. Cedric the Entertainer has garnered some criticism for the remarks of his character Eddie (regarding Rosa Parks and OJ Simpson) but frankly, these remarks are from a character in a movie, not Cedric the Entertainer. And let's face it, not everyone in life has the same opinions and these opposing views are touch points for discussion. These arguments and discussions inside the Barbershop help to lend this film its authenticity and that's something that is sorely lacking in most Hollywood comedies today.

Barbershop is a very funny light comedy with a lot of heart. Highly recommended.

Buy Barbershop On DVD From Amazon.com

DVD Review: 42 Up (A)

42 Up (1999)
Directed by Michael Apted
MPAA: PG
Grade: A

42 Up is the most recent installation in Michael Apted's ongoing series that follows the lives of 14 British children through adulthood. Begun in 1964 when his subjects were all age seven, Apted has continued to document their lives meeting up with them again every 7 years. Those who have not seen any of the previous installments need not worry as Apted skillfully blends clips and sound bites from previous interviews to create a tender and intricate portrait of each individual's life.

Symon, a biracial factory worker, talks about growing up between two worlds. Suzy, an upper-middleclass housewife speaks candidly about her parents divorce, her painful adolescence and what it means to be a parent. Andrew, an upperclass barrister, reflects on his participation in the series and remarks that he would not want his children taking part in such a documentary.

In the film, as in life, some stories are more interesting than others. Tony, a lower-middleclass cab driver from the East End of London, was raised grooming horses and once had dreams of becoming a successful jockey. Talkative and funny, Tony relates many incidents in his life that others might find too personal to share. Recently he and his family moved to the suburbs and Tony laments that his parents, both dead, are not there to see that he "made it". Perhaps the most interesting story is that of Neil. We see him grow from a lively and happy youngster into a nervous and diffident adult. Throughout his twenties and thirties Neil wandered the countryside virtually cut off from human companionship. At 42, Neil has been able to transform his life. Now a local councilman, Neil talks about the depression that kept him homeless for years.

There are several recurring themes in 42 Up including the importance of family and the responsibilities of adulthood. Feelings of regret and loss feature prominently in many of the interveiws as Apted's subjects, now middle aged, take stock of their lives. But we also witness moments of great pride and acheivement. There is a strong sense of the passage of time and in a very real way we get to watch these people grow up.

What I find truly profound about this film is its simplicity. Apted reminds us that the ordinary is beautiful and sad and compelling. The viewer is prompted to examine his or her own life and in this way we become part of the movie. 42 Up is a quiet film, and Apted will more likely be remembered for his "Hollywood" movies such as The World is Not Enough or Nell. However, this film is much more unique and special and with it Apted has made a contribution far greater than most directors.

Buy 42 Up On DVD