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Blow Dry Movie Review
Blow Dry Review
"Blow Dry" Overview
Rating: R
2001
Cast and Crew
Director : Paddy BreathnachProducer : William Horberg,Ruth Jackson,David Rubin
Screenwiter : Simon Beaufoy
Starring : Alan Rickman,Natasha Richardson,Rachel Griffiths,Rachael Leigh Cook,Josh Hartnett,Bill Nighy,Warren Clarke,Rosemary Harris,Hugh Bonneville,Heidi Klum
Hmmm, what's this movie with Josh Hartnett and Rachael Leigh Cook on the
cover? Must be some nutty teen comedy, right?
Well, with one cancer diagnosis and one death in the first 15 minutes, Blow Dry
is hardly the feel-good romance you'd expect. Strikingly similar to The Big
Tease, Blow Dry tells the story of a haircutting competition that descends on a
small town in Britain. Celebrities (well, celebrity stylists) from around
England arrive to compete, and the local boys get into the act as well. But
while the drama unfolds with models and shears, another drama takes place among
the locals -- largely involving various romances and a singular cancer victim.
Filled with some good actors -- Alan Rickman, Natasha Richardson, Rachel
Griffiths -- and some okay ones -- Hartnett and Cook -- I was expecting a lot
more from Blow Dry. Alas, the material just isn't up to par, leaving the real
Brits flailing for inspiration and the American posers sporting some of the
worst phony British accents ever: Cook doesn't even try in most of her scenes.
[Note: A faithful reader writes to tell me that Cook's character isn't supposed
to be British, she's American. He also suggests I watch the film again to see
for myself... a prospect which sounds to awful to bear.]
The hairstyles are alternately lovely and laughable, as is the sentiment in the
film as a whole. It's an okay time made tolerable largely by Warren Clarke's
semi-smarmy and overtly proud mayor.
Hiding from the critics.
Reviewer: Christopher Null
screen name:
Cathy Hoosier 
( 2)
posted on 13/11/2006 05:01
I DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL THE FUSS ABOUT BLOW DRY. IT WAS PURE ENTERTAINMENT AND
THAT'S ALL IT WAS MEANT TO BE. DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN HOW AUTHENTIC THE
ACCENTS ARE...PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS SAID. PAY ATTENTION TO THE STORY LINE.
WHICH I THOUGHT WAS GOOD. THE STORY WAS MEANT TO MAKE YOU THINK A LITTLE ABOUT
RELATIONSHIPS. PAST LOVES AND NEW ONES. CH
screen name:
lionwite (1)
posted on 25/05/2008 07:44
Chris Null lives up or down to his name - when a critic cannot even tell that one
of the top billed characters is playing a yank and not a brit, he obviously needs
to concentrate on the job at hand, that is, criticize positively and put his cell
phone in "call you back" mode. Obviously, something else distracted our intrepid
reviewer and he phoned in this review - if you worked for my paper, it'd be
"send the sod to cover the garbagemen's strike".
This is a delightful comedy with a good cast - even Josh Hartnett, who I usually
find wooden in his delivery, manages to bring a "gosh, gee whiz" youthful quality
to Brian character despite the uneven accent, although I must say that I spotted
a Yorkshire accent at the film's beginning. Between Alan Rickman, Natasha Richardson, Rachael
Griffiths and Bill Nighy we have an excellent crew to get this peek at the goings
on at the Hairdressers competitions. Had this movie been made in the US, I would
probably have passed on it but when I saw the actors involved, my curiosity was piqued
and I'm glad I watched it. Warren Clarke does a great turn as the lord mayor of the
town who morphs into the consumate emcee by the close of the competition. I also
loved the small very supportive role that Rosemary Harris has as Daisy,- way to go
Aunt May.
The blend of comedy and emotional drama with one of them dying of cancer lent a poignant
edge to the tale. Well luv, tirah and enjoy!
Lots of laughs and a few tears.
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