Customer Reviews

The Salon

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

**1/2

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that "The Salon" is really just "Barbershop" on estrogen. Like that earlier prototype, "The Salon" - which takes place in a Baltimore beauty parlor run by the beautiful Vivica A. Fox - is essentially a freeform series of conversations held together by the flimsiest of plot devices (in this one, an unfeeling bureaucracy wants to tear down the shop to make way for a parking lot). Unfortunately, "The Salon" is a pretty wan imitation of the original, lacking the stinging wit and biting social commentary that made "Barbershop" such a crossover success in its time.

While there is a certain liveliness to the verbal jousting and a notable energy in most of the performances, the comic banter often comes across as catty and mean-spirited rather than funny and insightful. The screenplay by Mark Brown (adapted from the stage play by Shelley Garrett) works overtime trying to be clever and smart about race relations, sexual issues, and life in the African American community, but it really isn't telling us anything we haven't heard countless times before in films on those same topics. Moreover, the characters themselves often verge on the stereotypical (with the prancing gay hair stylist as probably the most egregious and offensive example). And to top it all off, the movie is saddled with an ending that is, perhaps, the worst case of a deus ex machina in any film in recent memory.

There are indeed some genuinely touching scenes embedded in all the brazen one-liners and zingers, and there are a few laugh-out-loud moments when the sassiness and sarcasm manage to hit the comic bull`s-eye at which the writer is aiming. But more often than not, the humor misses its mark and falls harmlessly onto the hair-covered floor.

The actors give their all to the material and it really isn't their fault that the movie itself fails to catch fire. Even brief appearances by Garrett Morris and Terence Howard aren`t enough to lift it out of the doldrums.

With "The Salon," the ladies finally get the chance to have their say, but they're going to have to do a whole lot better than a second-rate, distaff copy of "Barbershop" if they ever hope to get their message across.

The Salon was very great. Kym Whitley and Vivica A. Fox did a great performance. However, I felt that it could of been maybe a sequel, especially discussing what happenss with Monica Calhoun's character ordeal with her husband. But overall, HISTORICALLY BEAUTIFUL.

There's no doubt that this is a copycat of the male version Barber Shops, but this time with the ladies and the lovable, stereotype gay stylist, and the love/hate relationship between Jenny and Michael (the government lawyer in the expensive business suit and the sportscar). I liked it and found loads of laughs, and enjoyed the conversations about civil rights, and why black men are attracted to white women. One of Jenny's longtime workers has to punch out the pimp in the end after he was pushing around his working prostitutes. Even the meek hair stylist finally stands up to her man. Old Percy kind of steals the show - watch the movie and you'll see what I mean. The music and dancing were great.

Jenny is being forced to sell her shop to the Department of Water and Power (DWP) due to eminent domain, and is being pressured into accepting the money they've offered for her property. Regardless of the legal advice Jenny receives, she refuses to let the corporate giant take the one remaining pillar of her inner city neighborhood. She declines the money and decides to take on the DWP in court, all the while keeping the battle hidden from her outrageous employees and clientele. "The Salon" is a perfectly good movie with wonderful dialogue and compelling characters.

This movie was just a remake of BarberShop minus the spouse. I could go into details but all you have to do is watch Barbershop and you see the same movie. The discussions about social issues, relationship problems, little business versus the corporate giant, even the dance scene. It's all there. I love the actors - especially Monica Calhoun - but this is simply a rehash of a movie from years ago. I honestly expected better from Vivica Fox. Not in terms of acting, but in terms of a movie to be in.

JENNY IS BEING FORCED TO SELL HER SHOP TO THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER DUE TO THE EMINENT DOMAIN, AND MUST ACCEPT THE MONEY SHE IS OFFERED. YET REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL ADVICE SHE RECIEVES, SHE REFUSES TO LET THE GIANT ORGANIZATION TAKE ONE REMAINING PILLAR OF HER INNER CITY NEIGHBORHOOD, DECIDING INSTEAD TO TAKE ON THE DWP IN COURT. A CLASSIC TALE OF THE UNDERDOG, THE SALON IS A FRESH LOOK AT THE INSIDE OF A SALON AND THE INNER CITY NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS. ENJOY THE RIDE AT...THE SALON, WHERE YOU GO TO GET MORE THAN JUST A HAIRCUT.

If you've seen Barber shop 1 and 2 dont even waste your time with this mess. I first got wind of this movie in 2005 and heard it was better than beauty shop and hair show, well it wasnt, at least those both were original, this took bits and pieces from every black small budget movie. It was ok, but not great, nothing to rush out and buy, I'd strongly recomend renting this before buying it.

I enjoyed this movie. Some funny parts. But I believe this is basically a copy of the The Barbershop and BeautyShop. We dont need another one.

Good movie, inspiring message...sad to say it has that "flaming" character that is always thrown into every barber shop/beauty shop/urban black movie. If you're going to portray people nd their lifestyles at least give them dignity. That was my only complaint. I liked it though and its worth buying cheap.

I love Viveca and the rest of the cast of this movie.. esp Kim Whitley but this was just another Barber Shop, Beauty Shop movie. Yes, the humor was good a good addition to your african american cinema movies.