The Hairdresser (2010)

Doris Dörrie has been in the movie industry for decades and "Die Friseuse" / "The Hairdresser" is one of her recent works. She also wrote many of her films, but this one, she "only" directed. This came out 5 years ago and the title "Friseuse"/"Friseurin" is already a hint on this film's tone and it fits nicely that the protagonist says near the end she has always been a Friseuse, not a Friseurin. Too bad English-language speakers will not understand the difference (in culture) when it comes to how you call the profession. The film runs for 105 minutes and features Gabriela Maria Schmeide, also a fairly experienced actress who has been in many known famous films, as the title character. Schmeide really makes this one work. She is incredibly likable in here and nails pretty much all her funny and sad scenes. I am surprised she got no awards recognition for her effort here. Jördis Triebel is in here too and she is a really big star now here in Germany, one of the most respected actresses from her age group. The cast is definitely female-dominant. The only other actress (apart from Katharina Derr) I knew was Maren Kroymann who is the main antagonist this time and plays her part well as usual, especially in the very first scene when she is about to employ Schmeide's character.In my opinion, this film started off really well. I liked the introduction to the character a lot, the way how she struggles with finding a job and consequently the scenes at the "Agentur für Arbeit". Schmeide played it well, but it was also well-written and funny on many occasions, such as the employee's hair color. Grey is only for men. Unfortunately, it got worse and a bit less interesting around the 45-minute mark and I thought this film was most interesting when it focused on the character's professional struggles. The story with her daughter was enough family for me and I certainly could have done without the Vietnamese guys and without the love story that resulted from this story-line. Yes this would have meant the film to run for only 85 minutes perhaps, but that's not a problem at all as it would have meant more/better focus. But I guess Dörrie really wanted to include that as many of her other films also include a multi-cultural impact. As a whole, I recommend this film. It's a good watch even if it does not stay as great as it started.

I really loved this movie. Subtitles and think German included. I won't go over the plot since that is mentioned in all the other reviews. It is a touching and real portrayal of an aging, overweight woman going through life with optimism and positivism. As a woman in my early forties and carrying too much on my bottom, I found it authentic and very relate-able. My mom is closer to this woman in age and personality and I saw her reflected in the portrayal given my the lead actress. I also live in an area close to where there is a very big Vietnamese population and it is quite a cultural experience which the movie addressed beautifully. All in all, the movie contains themes that many of us can identify with and will leave you inspired.

A surprising gem of a film with a rye, dry sense of humor and a heroine we come to like and respect, because she likes and respects who she is. And that includes her body, which she brightly adorns, lovingly cleans, and supports as needed. On a second viewing, I realized other assets of the character that I had over-looked the first time. She has clear boundaries, she won't be patronized, she's not afraid to look ridiculous in pursuit of her goal. The love scene is both radical and beautiful. Humanistic. Sweet. I could do a whole essay on that and where it stands in the history of film, but won't bore you here.A thoughtful, carefully rendered film with a rather profound message. I'll be looking for more from this creative group.

Kathi is an unemployed hairdresser in Berlin. She is divorced and tries to scratch a living for herself and her daughter.In a hypermarket she applies for a job as a hairdresser but she is told that they need someone "aesthetic", that is, no-one with a fat bottom or a flabby belly. This sets a whole series of events in motion when she tries to open her own shop, because that requires a business plan, venture capital etc.This, of course, is not easy to obtain; however, setbacks do not prevent Kathi from trying and trying again. Attempting to make some money, she gets involved in smuggling Vietnamese people from Poland into Germany and has to host them in her little flat. And things go from bad to worse.Nevertheless, she always fights her way back with optimism and charm. Even though this film shows life as difficult as it can be, the optimism this story exudes is contagious.Definitely a feel-good movie for a rainy evening and a kick in the butt for anyone on the dole who does not even try to find work anymore.