Blow Dry (2001)

Director:

Paddy Breathnach

Writer:

Simon Beaufoy (writer)

Release Date:

30 March 2001 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Love Is In The Hair

Plot:

The annual British Hairdressing Championship comes to Keighley, a town where Phil and son Brian run...

Plot Keywords:

Competition | Cancer | Champion | Aerobics | Terminal Illness

Cast

Alan Rickman	...	Phil Allen
Natasha Richardson	...	Shelley Allen
Rachel Griffiths	...	Sandra
Rachael Leigh Cook	...	Christina Robertson
Josh Hartnett	...	Brian Allen
Bill Nighy	...	Ray (Raymond) Robertson
Warren Clarke	...	Tony
Rosemary Harris	...	Daisy
Hugh Bonneville	...	Louis
Heidi Klum	...	Jasmine
Peter McDonald	...	Vincent
Michael McElhatton	...	Robert
David Bradley	...	Noah
Ben Crompton	...	Saul
Ann Rye	...	Margaret, Farmer's Wife

Also Known As:

Über kurz oder lang (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for some language and brief nudity.

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA | UK | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:S | Malaysia:U | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Netherlands:6 | Australia:M | France:U | Germany:6 | Norway:A | Philippines:PG-13 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Batley, West Yorkshire, England, UK

Company:

IMF Internationale Medien und Film GmbH & Co. Produktions KG

Trivia:

At one point in the movie, Ray tells Christina that she isn't in Minneapolis anymore. Rachael Leigh Cook, who plays Christina, is a native of Minneapolis.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Tony is first being shown the flip board (bought from Leeds Train Station) that lists all of the salons, The Cut Above is listed among the other salons, even though they had not even registered to compete at that point.

Quotes:

Brian Allen: Tony can anyone enter?
Tony: No professionals only!
Brian Allen: I am a professional!

Movie Connections:

References Amadeus (1984)

Soundtrack:

Here Come The Good Times

A Cut Above Comedy

This light weight comedy throws in a more somber, serious backstory to make this British hair competition a cut above. This entertaining comedy has Alan Rickman in this fun movie that has the usual number of sight gags, the fumblings, the intentional (accidents), the dramatic relational conflicts to make this a cute trip to Britain and the world of hair styling. There isn't anything that hasn't been seen before except hair, but what hair and the simple but coherent storyline is competently handled by the cast in a straightforward manner. The acting is decent, the hair styles intriguing. Overall, this simple movie works because it doesn't fool itself into being a classic, but to be enjoyed. 7/10.