Blow Dry (2001)

Well, during the opening rolls of this movie, I wondered where would it go as it's mainly about hairdressing! But it took me by surprise. There are couple of fun moments however overall, the movie is kinda dry! I mean this movie could have gone below average if not for the presence of Alan Rickman and Bill Nighy(liked watching him in the Underworld movies). Just their acting lifts the movie from doldrums. Because, otherwise, I felt many of the scenes were handled too simple or plain. Nothing really engaging or memorable to hold your mind. And there was really no need for stars like Josh Hartnett or Rachael Leigh Cook. You could have put some newcomers in their place & the movie would have still run just fine. Talking about the hairdressing scenes if I must, they were handled quite well.Verdict: If you're a hairdresser(sorry I don't know what else to say), you may like this. Or else, just forget it.

The British hairdressing championships are coming to Keighley and it just happens to be the town where Phil (Alan Rickman) lives. He used to be the champion until he wife Shelley (Natasha Richardson) left him for Sandra (Rachel Griffiths). Oh, My! Now, he is just a barber (gasp!) and wants nothing to do with Shelly or the championships. Problem is, there is no one else in town that can represent it.A family reunites and we get to see some of the finest British actors.I just hope my hairdresser doesn't see this and get weird ideas. I don't want to come out with green spikes!

Right off the top let me be honest-I loved the movie. I have seen it at least five times (and still enjoy it every time). It is great to see two veteran (older actors)-Rosemary Harris and Warren Clarke-give outstanding performances in small roles. I measure movies by what I call magic moments- that is those moments that reach and affect you on the most basic level, that is emotionally. This movie has several of these-Rachel Leigh Cook cuts her hair in protest of her father's underhanded tactics; Rachel Griffith's total look ; the conversation between Natasha Richardson and Rhachel Griffith when Rachel finds out about the cancer. Add to this a wonderful ensemble cast of spectators and hairdressers and the film is complete and worth not only seeing, but buying.

Many times you watch a movie for several reasons or because you want to find several things, and during the movie you find other things that you didn't expect but become extremely pleasant. I decided to watch "Blow Dry" because of Rachael Leigh Cook, not even because of Josh Hartnett. If I had known that I'd find Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy and some of their fellows, the ride would have been very different. Fortunately; I didn't know.The events in "Blow Dry" unfold in a very peculiar way. In fact, the film is a peculiar comedy with peculiar characters that go through the most peculiar situation. Surprisingly, they are all human beings at last; there's a buried story between them and they show natural emotions as they speak. Maybe it's Simon Beaufoy's solid screenplay, or the fact that the past explains every action and, unlike typical romantic comedies, characters know each other and don't fall in love within days.What makes the picture dynamic and enjoyable is that there are not only two main characters, or only one love story. The plot shows the lives of two families encountered (one separated) by one peculiar (yes) activity: hairdressing. The annual British Hairdressing competition takes place in Keighley, a little town. "This competition", declares the mayor Tony (Warren Clarke) "Will change the history of this town".Raymond Robertson (Bill Nighy), the world champion, assists the competition with his daughter Christine (Rachael Leigh Cook) alongside him. She'll be one of his models, given that the competition consists on different kinds of hair styles done to different people. Robertson is scared for only one man from Keighley who could enter the competition: Phil Allen (Alan Rickman).Allen cuts hairs in a local barbershop with his son Brian (Josh Hartnett), but has been out of competitions for ten years, since the day his wife Shelley (Natasha Richardson) ran away with his model Sandra (Rachel Griffiths) in a lesbian affair that left him all alone. There are things unsaid here; more than we could ever imagine. The stages of the competition take place and the characters' relationships evolve.Who wins the tournament, why and under which circumstances becomes less interesting as we see the other part of the film being developed; the part of the emotions. Paddy Breathnach, the director manages all of this perfectly, leaving a lot of room for the comedy and taking advantage of every illuminated moment the script presents.These illuminations arrive with the cast of gifted actors and the different colors they bring. From the younger, like Rachael Leigh Cook who hasn't been doing much lately but has a great career for her age and a beautiful smile to connect with her talent; and Josh Hartnett, with a well accomplished British accent and experimenting with comedy before his lead in "40 days and 40 nights". To the elder, like the duo created by Richardson and Griffiths, which depends on a lot of accurate chemistry; and Warren Clarke's Tony, who is a revelation as he gains confidence while the days go by in the competition.But finally, those relaxed and calmed old men (to put it in a way) who have great talents and make anyone laugh, but probably will never be recognized for it. When I saw "Galaxy Quest" I noticed certain uniqueness in Alan Rickman's voice and look; years after: it's still there. The man makes me laugh with no efforts, and so does Bill Nighy, an eternal stubborn and annoying actor who couldn't care less about the roles he plays; so to ridicule them, which makes them perfect.British comedies are and have been the funniest comedies of the world; it is because of actors like Rickman and Nighy…Believe me.