The Beautician and the Beast (1997)

Undescribable Perfection

Touches You

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

'The Beautician and the Beast' follows the line of the immensely 'The Sound of Music' and Drescher's own popular sitcom 'The Nanny'. It has the usual mushiness and fluffiness that other American rom-coms have (although this one is set in Eastern Europe) and it's accompanied by a nice soundtrack. However, what really sets this one apart is the delightfully funny Fran Drescher. Her character is no different from her unique persona as Nanny's Fran Fine but even so, her wit, charisma and comic timing are perfect. Those who find her annoying in 'The Nanny' would most likely hate this movie but for me, this actress makes it somewhat likable. Timothy Dalton as the beautician (just kidding) is quite adequate (his fake accent is hilarious) and both actors share a good chemistry. The rest are just okay, mostly gap fillers. There is nothing path-breaking about this movie but if one is a fan of Ms. Drescher then why not give this a try if you've got nothing else to lose?

I am Timothy Dalton's self declared #1 fan - and I adore Fran Drescher. When this movie came out I looked SO forward to seeing it as it was a film that was going to allow TImothy to show everyone else how funny he can be and what a multi-dimensional actor he is. I am also a big fan of Fran Drescher! I miss seeing her more often also. She is so beautiful and such a talent - and so very good at being funny. Neither of them disappoint in this movie. They are wonderful!Life is so full of stress, sadness, loss, tragedy now, more light hearted, comedic movies like this are needed sandwiched in to take us away and be entertained in fantasyland for a while. I love action movies and horror movies (the unrealistic ones) but we need more of this type movie thrown in the mix MORE OFTEN.This is a magical, romantic-comedy, fantasy escape - ****someone made mention the country doesn't even really exist - WHO cares the country doesn't really exist??? Neither does Oz, Narnia or MiddleEarth.****THEN SOMEone was pretty critical of Timothy's accent being very bad; Timothy does nothing bad, including accents. BUT, IF THIS COUNTRY DOESN'T EXIST, HOW CAN YOU KNOW THE ACCENT IS BAD??? I thought it was wonderful. Have you ever tried to make up an accent of a nonexistent country? :o)How long can Joy Miller carry off her charade, and does she keep getting out of ALL the messes she gets herself involved in or does she get caught? Some of TD'S and FD's humorous scenes ARE reminiscent of I Love Lucy, but much better and priceless. You keep wondering when is this cranky guy going to catch on to the truths surrounding him, and what in the world will he do when he does!? There are a few close calls, so to speak (that are hilarious)There is a very lovable chicken in the movie, a surprisingly fine little actor herself, very cute ~ with some adorable scenes. Trust me. Its touching, worrisome at times...and cute, I swear she gets the most precious "expressions".-With all due respect and targeting no one in particular, it seems in our world today many people have become so jaded they can't enjoy a great, light hearted hilarious romantic comedy that is CLEAN, without calling it "cheesy" or "corny". IT IS NEITHER. I choose not to believe in those concepts. People have just gotten so much more afraid to show emotion and care for each other and we need more of that and perhaps more movies like this would unconsciously encourage it.Timothy is at his usual flawless best, playing both "sides" of: the ill tempered dictator, whose ego seems large enough to have its own zip code you can't get to from here; and who thinks things are just hunky dory with "his people", but are they?; to his other self -the gorgeously handsome man,with that deep sexy voice, which is more apparent when he isn't yelling or fussing about something.(And I HAVE to say he is handsome both with mustache and sans mustache). I think the movie is written very well, and when he first starts to become- challenged by Joy Miller's lessons for HIM, and goes out amongst "his people" - well, just wait and see-its truly a priceless, clueless "moment" for him, (We get to watch him as Tim pulls the cluelessness of this guy off SO well, chest puffed up, strutting, smiling and waving as if he does it every day...) And quite a shock for "the people".Fran is terrific and gorgeous too, and I think the pairing of those two was sheer genius and they make a beautiful couple in heart, spirit, and yes,look. I know I was jealous of lucky Fran AND the "mythical couple" and it took me away to that place all women who love romantic stories love to go - where YOU are the female lead character!This is a GREAT MOVIE AND ITS NOT JUST A "CHICK FLICK" EITHER, GUYS - if you like comedy I recommend it to you also and there IS Fran. Kids will like this movie too and I feel it IS of family movie quality.

I think someone found the right word to describe this film earlier: inoffensive. Even Eastern European dictators might find it hard to find much to complain about. Indeed, so lame is this film I was amazed to learn it was intended for a cinema release, although in my part of Slovetzia it seems to have gone straight to video. Actually, this is a pretty harmless way of spending an hour and a bit if you can accept that this is basically a vehicle for Fran Dreschler, and that, presumably, she has some fans in America who both like her and know who she is.Dreschler plays a beautician who gets mistaken for the new tutor of an eastern European dictator and ends up importing consumerism and the American way of life by stealth to the previously contented communist kingdom of Slovetzia. I say "communist kingdom" because on the strength of this film some Americans don't seem to know the difference between the two. For those of you unfamiliar with Slovetzia, when Errol Flynn was alive it used to be called Ruritania, but later changed its name under communism. These days it is populated entirely by British actors, some of whom attempt mildly Russian accents. You may be as surprised as I was to learn that the tyrannical ruler of Slovetzia is none other than Timothy Dalton. You may remember him from the 1980s when he used to be James Bond. At one point he was even well regarded as a serious Shakespearian actor. What happened to him after leaving the secret service, you might ask? Well, I don't really know, but it can't have been pretty. Somehow he ended up playing second fiddle to Fran Dreschler. I know, a sad end for a man who saved the world at least twice.

I saw this movie in the theater on a hunch and it was a really cute film. The premise is very similar to Fran's "Nanny" role (although in this case, she's the "tutor"). It's clean, the laughs are consistent, and it's a great family film. I'm not saying the film certified for Oscar, but kids would love it.