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 | Oily Hair | Lesbian Kiss

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:

Continuity: Throughout the movie, we are told that Shelley and Sandra left Phil ten years ago, when Phil was in line for his third straight national championship. The current competition is Hair 2000 (and is sometimes called the championships of the year 2000, to confirm that isn't "just" a name). Yet when his honors are announced near the end of the movie, we are told he was national champion in 1981 and 1982. For this to be true, Shelley and Sandra must have walked out on him 17 years ago.

Quotes:

Phil Allen: Your highlights go green if you leave them in too long, love.
Sharon: How long's too long?
Phil Allen: About now.

Movie Connections:

References Chacun pour toi (1994)

Soundtrack:

Spiceworm

Blown Away by Blow Dry

A film about hairdressing championships could be disastrous,but a superb cast of fine British actors saved this film from Stinkville.The storyline is actually not bad,and the rivalry between Phil Allen (Alan Rickman) and Raymond Robertson (Bill Nighy) is humorous and entertaining.While this movie is amusing and light hearted it does focus on sadder issues like broken families,and terminal illness.Australian actress Rachel Griffiths gives a fine performance and perfects a British accent for her role as Sandra,who is romantically involved with Shelley (Natasha Richardson)who lives in fear that the truth about her illness will ruin their relationship.Young stars Josh Hartnett and the very adorable Rachael Leigh Cook are pleasant contributions to the film,with their brother-sister chemistry and secret adoration for one another.Heidi Klum also makes a special appearance,and sports some outrageous hairdos and costumes.Blow Dry was a film that should've,could've and would've been disappointing,but for some reason,wasn't.