Roses Have Thoughts

Blow Dry is directed by Paddy Breathnach, with a script by Simon Beaufoy (known for The Full Monty), and it plays out like a quirky British comedy bursting with colour and flair. The setting is a national hairdressing competition, which provides a playful backdrop for what’s ultimately a heartfelt family drama. While it offers a good dose of small-town charm, it’s a film that doesn’t always hit the mark.

Alan Rickman shines as Phil Allen, a once-famed hairstylist turned grumpy barber, still nursing old wounds after being left by his wife Shelley (Natasha Richardson). She walked out on him for her hairdressing partner, Sandra (played by Rachel Griffiths). Their son, Brian (Josh Hartnett, doing his best Yorkshire accent but don’t expect much), gets swept into the family drama when the championship comes to town and Shelley, who is now facing a terminal illness, aims for one last shot at glory and a chance to heal old rifts with her family.

The performances stand out as the highlight of the film. Rickman delivers his usual mix of profound emotional impact and dry humour, while Richardson brings an enveloping warmth to her role, steering clear of any clichés. Their chemistry is filled with a sweet bitterness that grounds the otherwise light-hearted script. Hartnett, while perhaps not the ideal fit, does manage to keep up with the impressive British talent surrounding him, including Bill Nighy as an outrageously flamboyant rival stylist.

Where Blow Dry sometimes stumbles is in balancing its tone. It juggles the colourful spectacle of hair competitions and outrageous hairstyles with a touching story about reconciliation and illness. While both elements are deserving of attention, they often clash, leaving viewers unsure whether to laugh, cry, or admire a particularly wild perm.

Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes, with bright colours, wild hairstyles, and enough sparkle to brighten even a gloomy Yorkshire day. But for all that visual flair, it doesn’t delve deep enough into the characters’ emotional journeys. It skims over the surface of the drama without really getting to the core of what makes these relationships tick.

In the end, Blow Dry is an enjoyable film filled with quirky charm and solid performances. It’s a light watch that, while entertaining, doesn’t quite have the depth it hints at. Think of it like a decent trip to the hairdresser; it’s fun and colourful at the time, but you won’t leave feeling changed. It’s a pleasant watch, for sure, but not one that will leave a lasting impression.

IMDB