35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
QUEEN OF SCOTS..., September 23, 2001
This creative film within a film, a mock documentary, is simply delightful. Funny and original, it is a biting satire on the Beverly Hills/Hollywood power circuit. In the process, it tells the wonderful story of Crawford MacKenzie, a popular and talented gay hairdresser from Glasgow, Scotland, who believes himself to be invited to represent Scotland in a prestigious hairdressing competition, the Platinum Scissors, to be held in Los Angeles, California. When he arrives, complete with a BBC film crew filming his every move as part of a feature documentary they are making of Crawford's participation in the competition, Crawford discovers that he misread the letter. He is strictly to be a member of the audience and is told so in no uncertain terms by the patronizing director of the competition, who has sized up Crawford as a nobody.
This does not deter Crawford from trying to be allowed to compete, as he definitely is not the kind of person who takes no for an answer. Crawford, charmingly played by the ever talented Craig Ferguson, pulls every trick in the book and ingratiates himself with Sean Connery's publicist, wonderfully played by Frances Fisher, who manages to open some doors for him. Along the way, he is snubbed by some Beverly Hills/Hollywood power types, including one of the competitors, an obnoxious Norwegian named Stig, who was the prior year's Platinum Scissors champion, played to perfection by David Rashe.
Still, the ever nice Crawford remains undaunted, and what he does to get into the competition is funny, especially when he starts fighting fire with fire. In a short time, Crawford becomes a force with whom to be reckoned, and he finally gets his dearest wish and is allowed to compete. The competition itself is hysterical and will amaze and delight the viewer. This little known film is an absolute gem. Craig Ferguson's performance makes the character of Crawford MacKenzie totally endearing, and the supporting cast is, likewise, terrific. There are also a number of marvelous cameos, including Drew Carey playing himself. All in all, a bloody good show!
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
HAIR RAISING FUN, January 26, 2005
THE BIG TEASE is the second movie I've seen in the past year about a hairdressing competition. The other is the likewise little known BLOW DRY. BLOW DRY is a little more accessible as it has a more in depth plot line and characters. However, THE BIG TEASE is a "mockumentary" with soul and a droll sense of humor. Craig Ferguson marvelously plays stylist Crawford Mackenzie, a Scotsman who mistakes a form letter for an invitation to participate in the annual Platinum Scissors award competition in Los Angeles. Once there, he finds out he's only invited to be in the audience, and the competition's officious chairperson (a delightful Mary McCormack) refuses to let him enter. Mackenzie stumbles onto Sean Connery's agent, played very nicely by Frances Fisher, and one thing leads to another and kaboom, Mackenzie finds an ally. The supporting cast is top notch: Donal Logue as the wannabe actor with his own limousine; David Rasche (Sledgehammer) as the Norwegian three time champion; Ted McGinley (underused) as Rasche's buddy; and some nice cameos from David Hasselhoff and Drew Carey. The outcome is predictable but the movie has such a nice low key approach to its subject matter, it's delightful. The final four hairstyles are priceless, too!
A charming film that entertains in an entirely different way.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Watch this movie!, February 9, 2006
I loved this film. It has a few quirky moments but that's a part of its appeal. Craig Ferguson is absolutely charming, and it's a film that really becomes more endearing with each viewing.
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