The Hair Off The Big Tease
By Ross Anthony
"He'll be among his own kind," Local Glasgow friends of Crawford Mackenzie say of the gay stylist as he takes off to L.A. to compete in that huge extravaganza -- the World Freestyle Hairdressing Championship.
This is a mock documentary with the flamboyant, boyishly-naïve, Scottish comedian Craig Ferguson as the man with the golden comb. He's perpetually fresh, and spunky - a young Will Smith with white skin and an accent. Never caught on film acting, every line and camera-captured glance seems true, innocent and delightfully unrehearsed.
The film is shot and edited with the same energy and flare playfully embodying its charmingly cocky protagonist. Repeated still frames, with a flash to imply photo-shots are just one gimmick the filmmakers use to keep the pace snappy. Another is multiple chop cut interviews, so that commentary never gets boring.
After receiving a letter to "participate" in an international hair competition, our modestly vain stylist flies to L.A. only to discover that he's become the victim of a promotionally motivated misunderstanding. Undaunted (mostly) he braves heart first into the often cold-hearted bureaucratic web of "who you know" in Hollywood in order to correct the oversight and compete legitimately among the top hair professionals of the world.
Just plain, good, clean fun; the tease climaxes in a ridiculous display of hair presentation. Of course, you'll be routing for the underdog as contestants go head to head; the M.C. remarks, "the tension in this room is so thick you could style it with a comb."
The Big Tease. Copyright © 2000. Rated R. Starring Craig Ferguson, Frances Fisher, Mary McCormack, David Rasche, Chris Langham. Directed by Kevin Allen. Written by Kevin Allen, Sacha Gervasi, Craig Ferguson. Produced by Kevin Allen, Philip Rose at Warner Brothers.
Grade..........................B+
-- Copyright © 2000. Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit: http://RossAnthony.com
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