I went to see the Good Hair movie and the disappointment that I expected was confirmed. The movie seemed to focus more on weaves and perms; natural hair was barely discussed at all. With a title like "Good Hair" one would assume (or at least I did) that the filmmaker would actually discuss the real issue of "Good Hair/Bad Hair," but Chris Rock failed.
Although, much of the film was entertaining, there were also many parts that made me cringe. He took a controversial topic of Good Hair and made a mockery of the term. Chris Rock is a comedian, so I expected him to be funny, but I also expected him to get to the root of the issue; sadly he did not. I will spare you the details, for those planning to see the movie.
He did shed light on the negative effects of a perm on our hair and stressed that little girls should not use these chemicals, especially. He also took us "behind-the-scenes" in the weave industry by going to India where we get a large amount of the hair supply for weaves. Women in India cut their hair as part of a religious sacrifice once a year and that hair is then "given to God" in a temple. What they don't know is that the same hair they "give up to God" is being sold to American women at a Beauty Supply store near you! None of the proceeds go to the women who sacrificed their hair.
Just remember, if you are going to the movie with high hopes of a deep discussion about Good Hair vs Bad Hair, while destroying myths about our own natural hair, you will be sadly disappointed. However, if you are looking for a good laugh, then by all means, go see "Good Hair." Perhaps, he will make a Part 2 and really get to the root of Good Hair issue. We shall see....
6 comments:
People should watch the documentary "My nappy roots" i've seen the trailer and think its much better
I had a feeling from the trailers with celebs that this movie was going to take the wrong direction. It kinda pisses me off. I don't know why I expected Chris Rock to create some monumental motivational documentary. He's not a woman with natural hair. I think someone who has these experiences is the only one capable of making a piece with our point of view. Something with a real impact. Everyone who writes a review talks about him missing the whole point.
Oh well...let's hope Tyler Perry doesn't think of a movie with this theme.
I personally thought the movie was revealing for those folks that get the relaxer. I definitely lowered my expectation as the hype started to build up. Rock could have went for 10 more minutes into natural relaxer-free hair.
Please take a moment to check out my documentary film BLACK HAIR
It is free at youtube. 6 parts including an update from London, England.
It explores the Korean Take-over of the Black Beauty Supply and Hair biz..
The current situation makes it hard to believe that Madame C.J. Walker once ran the whole thing.
I am not a hater, I am a motivator.
Plus I am a White guy who stumbled upon this, and felt it was so wrong I had to make a film about it.
self-funded film, made from the heart.
Can it be taken back?
Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p96aaTSdrAE
I haven't seen the movie, but I appreciate your views on the subject. I've been hearing the exact same thing from most other natural hair enthusiasts.
Also, Black British Girl beat me to the punch, :-), but I, too, saw the trailer for "My Nappy Roots" and it did look a lot more interesting. I do hate to see our folks forced into a position of suing one another, though.
I haven't seen the movie yet but I do plan to go. It may have not been his intention to focus on natural hair and I don't think we should expect him to. He just may have wanted to expose the extreme measures that some take to have "good hair". That in itself is thought provoking.
Post a Comment