There is a much classier way to start a review of Chris Rock's comedic documentary, Good Hair. However, I will cut straight to the point [no pun intended]. If you want to know how black men and women's hair 'do that thing' it does. Or if you've ever asked your African-American co-workers, "So what do you put in your hair for it to do that?" Chris Rock answers the multi-billion dollar question in Good Hair.
If anyone is familiar with Chris Rock's HBO series, "The Chris Rock Show", then there should be no surprise that Rock is fairly proficient in executing short, sketch-like documentaries. There is asurprising element of seriousness behind all of the weave jokes. Good Hair covers the history of black hair and hair care products and why the hair care market is supported by a surprising 80 percent of the black community.
With special guest star celebrities like Nia Long, Al Sharpton and Tracie Thoms to give insight to the 'why' it is the interviews in salons and barbershops that answers the 'how'. How do black people get all those crazy cool hairstyles? Is that their real hair? Is there some sort of venue where the "best of the best" hair stylist can compete and show their stuff? In short, with time and money, sometimes, and yes.
Amidst flashing back with insightful anecdotes from Maya Angelou, who has never used a relaxer or received a perm until she was 70 years-old. A major accomplishment in the black community. Good Hair shows how the black hair market has a surprisingly sparse four businesses that are black owned. Even with the documentaries dramatic conclusion with the super-competitive Hair Show, one can not help but notice the Revlon and Clairol signage that drapes an event which would appear to be for a niche audience.
Good Hair should be viewed by all people, of all races and economic backgrounds. This film helps open up a dialogue to issues of 'image', specifically women, in America [though men are not excluded either]. I found the most interesting part of this documentary is when Chris Rock and director, JeffStillson , interview young ladies at a high school. All of the ladies but one, had permed and relaxed hair. There was only one girl that had anafro . It was such a small scene, but resonated deeply with me and was a key reason why Chris Rock wanted to investigate this subject.
Good Hair, as a documentary covers so many topics. There is even a segment in India, or as most black women will now know as the "hair weave Mecca". My very white, girlfriend leaned over to me in the theater and said that because of Good Hair, Chris Rock is like the black Michael Moore. I thought it was one of the biggest insults ever [I really have issues with Mr. Moore], until I thought about it more. This is a subject seldom talked about, even in the black community. Why must "good hair" be determined by how you 'should look' at a job interview? Or aPhotoshopped supermodel?
If Good Hair has a setback or flaw it would probably be how long it dwells on the characters in The Hair Show. There is a great deal of comedy to be had. It is also good to see talented people pushed to the forefront in a documentary of this magnitude. However, for pacing reasons, some of the asides and talking heads portions of The Hair Show really slow an otherwise well-crafted documentary.
I give Good Hair...
The "Soul Glo Kicks" Award