The Salon (2005)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Just perfect...

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Jenny (Vivica A. Fox) owns a beauty salon in historic Baltimore and she and her young son live upstairs. Her ensemble of stylists run the gamut from outspoken females, an overtly gay male, and action-ready folks of both sexes. But, in truth, all of them have big hearts and act like family to each other. One of the female hairstylists, especially, needs their support, for she is involved with a rather bad-apple mechanic (Terrence Howard). Not long into the future, a handsome lawyer (Darren Dewitt Henson) brings Jenny bad news. The powers that be are exercising their "emminent domain" rights and will evict her soon to build a parking lot for a more lucrative business nearby. But, the lawyer, naturally, is captivated by someone as beautiful as Jenny. So, over the course of weeks, he counsels her on how to "fight back", even though he admits he will aggressively pursue his client's interests. Ho, ho! Who will win the legal fight? And, will it be at the expense of someone's affections? This is another very fine romantic drama for fans everywhere. The cast is quite nice, with the gorgeous Fox giving a great performance. Henson, Brooke Burke, Howard, Garrett Morris and all of the others do competent work, too. Of course, the costumes and haircuts are eye-catching while the script, direction and Baltimore setting are more than worthy as well. But, for all of you who are easily offended, be warned that there are some salty language and situations, indeed. In summary, do make an appointment for yourself to view The Salon. You will be happy with the results.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that "The Salon" is really just "Barbershop" on estrogen. Like that earlier prototype, "The Salon" - which takes place in a Baltimore beauty parlor run by the beautiful Vivica A. Fox - is essentially a freeform series of conversations held together by the flimsiest of plot devices (in this one, an unfeeling bureaucracy wants to tear down the shop to make way for a parking lot). Unfortunately, "The Salon" is a pretty wan imitation of the original, lacking the stinging wit and biting social commentary that made "Barbershop" such a crossover success in its time.While there is a certain liveliness to the verbal jousting and a notable energy in most of the performances, the comic banter often comes across as catty and mean-spirited rather than funny and insightful. The screenplay by Mark Brown (adapted from the stage play by Shelley Garrett) works overtime trying to be clever and smart about race relations, sexual issues, and life in the African American community, but it really isn't telling us anything we haven't heard countless times before in films on those same topics. Moreover, the characters themselves often verge on the stereotypical (with the prancing gay hair stylist as probably the most egregious and offensive example). And to top it all off, the film is saddled with an ending that is, perhaps, the worst case of a deus ex machina in any movie in recent memory.There are indeed some genuinely touching scenes embedded in all the brazen one-liners and zingers, and there are a few laugh-out-loud moments when the sassiness and sarcasm manage to hit the comic bull's-eye at which the writer is aiming. But more often than not, the humor misses its mark and falls harmlessly onto the hair-covered floor. The actors give their all to the material and it really isn't their fault that the movie itself fails to catch fire. Even brief appearances by Garrett Morris and Terence Howard aren't enough to lift it out of the doldrums. With "The Salon," the ladies finally get the chance to have their say, but they're going to have to do a whole lot better than a second-rate, distaff copy of "Barbershop" if they ever hope to get their message across.

This movie was a waste of a money even though I got to rent it for free. Vivica A. Fox did a great job in this movie. But the plot was horrible. You usually can't go wrong with a cast of fly Taral Hicks, fly Monica Calhoun, and fly Kym Whitley. But this movie was still horrible. Vivica's character's son got suspended for fighting a racist student. The lawyer fell in love with Vivica's character and played Vivica during the hearing. Taral's character slept with another man's wife. Monica's character was in an abusive relationship with Terrance Howard's character. The gay man (which played the worse gay role that I have ever seen in my life!) was being abused by teenagers and Dondre Whitfield's character (who hated gays) stood up for him. So many stereotypes for one movie!

Mark Brown the man behind MGM's Barbershop franchise brings us a more sensitive although equally funny movie about the struggles of a single woman with a demanding job and a cute 6 year-old to take care of. The recipe for her success: she's honest and always in a good mood. Until a lawyer from the City council walks in to announce he closes the Salon down. But he's the SEXIEST man on earth. Mixed emotions, feuds among staff, kid going astray. Everything seems to fall apart in her life... Vivica Fox's performance is magnificent. She is just adorable. The very talented Terrence Howard plays a brutal husband, Brooke Burns and Greg Germann are great in cameo parts. The editing is brilliant, the photography colorful; the movie is fast paced, the jokes are sharp. Two hours of pleasure and pure talent. Look for it and enjoy!