OK for kids 14+
Funny, smart docu is OK for older teens.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this Chris Rock documentary includes some mature themes related to race, femininity, and class. There's a fair amount of strong language (a couple of "f--k"s, as well as "s--t," "bitch," and the like), conversations about how hair affects sexual relationships, and consumerism (mostly hair-product brands). Kids will see two approaches -- African-American celebrities like Eve, Raven Symone, and Nia Long are straight up about masking their natural hair with expensive weaves, while a few outspoken women rage against the "slavery" of a straightening regime and sport their natural locks (or, in one case, a bald head).
- Families can talk about the various reasons that African-American women -- and women in general, really -- might want hair other than what they have naturally. How does the obsession with hair specifically affect the African-American community?
- What message does the documentary convey to young girls? What lessons can be learned by those not in the African-American community?
- How is African-American beauty depicted in the media and pop culture? Why do you think straight hair is often a part of that depiction?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie has a positive message about how natural hair can bring "freedom," but most of the interviewees admit that they've bought completely into the idea that they must change their hairstyle in order to be attractive -- even if it means spending lots of money and time to do it.
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Role models: Maya Angelou, Tracie Thoms, and an outspoken woman with alopecia stand out as women who say that they're purposely not straightening their hair because they don't think African-American women should have to sport "straighter" hair to be beautiful or accepted in society.
What to watch for
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Violence: It's not violent, but there's a disturbing description of what a chemical burn caused by a chemical relaxer feels and looks like.
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Sex: Candid conversation about what it's like for men to make love to a woman with a weave (including tips on which positions are best for men not to be tempted to touch their partners' hair -- references include terms like "doggy style"). Plenty of cleavage; women wearing lingerie and bikinis walk around at the hair show, and photos of topless African women are shown briefly during a slideshow of how black women's hairstyles have changed throughout the ages.
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Language: Occasional (but not frequent) strong language like "f--k," "s--t," "bitch," and the "N" word, as well as "ass," "titties," "damn," "hell," and "oh my God."
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Consumerism: Mostly hair products and related industry brands: Bronner Brothers, Dudley hair products, Revlon, Loreal, etc.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Jokes about how hair treatments are more addictive than crack or "the pipe."
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Good Hair by mizcola
This movie was funny yet very informative. With anything that makes money there is deception...had anyone ever wondered where all that expensive "100% Indian Hair" come from? Go see the movie!
5
Very Informative! by lanelle_delina
I found this documentary to be funny, yet well researched. It is a must see for EVERYONE struggling with poor self image. It really makes light of hair weaves and how women are spending so much money into something so mundane. I was surprised to learn the source of weaves. Yuck! Made me really think about where all that money could be going to improve our lives, eg. eating healthier food, paying for secular education or money towards home ownership. I have never worn a weave and never will! Glad this documentary highlighted the foolishness of vanity. Who better to do it than Chris Rock!
4
WOW by movieprincess
THIS MOVIE IS VERY EDUCATIONAL AND IT DEFINITELY HAS ITS FUNNY MOMENTS. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE A CLUE ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR HAIR AND THEN THERE ARE THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT GO TO THE EXTREME AND FEEL THAT IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR HAIR, THAN TAKE CARE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. THIS IS A FILM THAT NEEDS TO BE VIEWED BY ALL INDIVIDUALS.
5
Good Hair is Great! by deewonda
After my best friend said she'd seen this movie TWICE, I knew I had to see it. This movie is funny and thought provoking in a way that only Chris Rock could make it. He likens the obsession many African American women have for permed hair to crack addiction which, sadly to me, is played out as a 4-year old girl is getting her hair permed -- again. How the Black hair care industry is a $9 billion industry but very little of it goes to Black owned manufacturers and companies. How, at the annual Bronner hair convention in Atlanta, GA, out of hundreds of attending vendors filling a convention floor only 2 aisles are Black owned manufacturers. To find out where human hair for wigs and extensions come from Chris traverses the globe. He interviews big and small screen divas, Rev. Al Sharpton, and everyday people in this amazing film. Whether you are Black, White, Latina or whatever, and whether you have hair or had hair, please see this film.
3
It's alright.....I guess by Princess TT
Chris was funny as usual. The movie was a disappointment. What I mean by that is Chris didn't explore the reasons why Black women consider our hair our crown and glory, only that we did. He left the audience with the feeling that we all want long, luxurious hair, but again, never discussed why, only that we did.
Chris made a movie about weaves. I found it rather insulting that Chris did not go into the fact that all Black women do not wear weaves, nor did he ever address the fact that Black women can and do have long hair - we don't all wear weaves, nor do we all process our hair, and while I understand the purpose of the movie was to discuss Black women and their hair, it would have been nice if he did not leave the audience with the feeling that Black women corned the market on weaves and wigs. Our caucasian, Latino, and Asian sisters use extensions as well. Women accessorize!!
I enjoyed the Chris's discussion on Oprah more than the movie. It was a lot more substanitive.
4
Five Word Review by lewbraith
enjoyed informative funny interesting good
5
Five Word Review by kat121085
Funny Real Informative Must See
4
Creatively Informative by MsGina612
Chris Rock is hilarious as always, but he really takes this opportunity to educate viewers as well. It provides good insight on the things Black women do to their hair, but it probably would have been an even better HBO movie. If nothing else, I recommend people go to see this to support Rock in his efforts.
5
Not just for Black Women by smithtribe7
I give Chris Rock kudos for taking on such a touchy subject. He did a good job showing the various viewpoints and characters involved in this industry. The movie was funny, entertaining! and very informative! Others outside of the black community would find it entertaining as well. My only complaint is the use of adult language and images littered throughout the movie. This subject is one that I've often talked about to my young daughters. And they were looking forward to seeing the movie but because of the adult language and images that won't be possible. Chris and HBO productions missed the mark on this area because this would have been a movie that I reccommended to young girls. For future reference think of how many more lives you can impact through a little editing.
2
He is no Michael Moore by swong705
I really expected it to be funnier. People were walking out on this documentary. Now I know how vain some people are. It is also a comment on capitalism and greed. Exploitation of a group of people to make money. Please dont buy Indian hair. It is terrible how they are exploited. They have no idea what is happening to their hair and are not getting paid for their hair. It is terrible. At least I learned this much. This was the only interesting part of the documentary.