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Ice-T, Nia Long, Chris Rock, Salt-N-Pepa, Al Sharpton ... see more see more... , Paul Mooney , Maya Angelou , Raven Symone

In the movie School Daze, Spike Lee staged a dance number in which two bands of African-American college students debated the merits of "Straight and Nappy" hair in song, and now comedian Chris Rock a... read more read more...nd filmmaker Jeff Stilson have extended the conversation to a full-length film in this witty documentary with serious undertones. Rock says he was inspired to make the film when his young daughter asked him, "Daddy, how come I don't have good hair?" and he and Stilson examine black America's obsession with their hair as they visit the Bronner Brothers International Hair Show, an annual trade show for the African-American hair care industry which includes fierce competitions among stylists from around the country and demonstrations of new hair products and techniques. Along the way, Rock also talks to a number of African-American luminaries about their hair issues (including Maya Angelou, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Nia Long, Raven Symone, Ice-T, and Paul Mooney), researches the dangers of many common hair-straightening treatments, reveals the surprising expense of regular hair "relaxing" and weaves, and ponders what the pursuit of straight hair says about African-American cultural identity. Good Hair received its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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64% liked it

47,908 ratings

Critics

94% liked it

80 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Jeff Stilson

Release Date: October 9, 2009

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DVD Release Date: February 16, 2010

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Flixster Reviews (1,672)

  • SirPant
    August 17, 2011
    SirPant
    A tricky subject in many ways, Chris Rock charms his way around 'The big question' quite well and it all turns into a bit of fun. Probably for the best really and I don't think there is a big horrible answer either. Its main strength is that it is universally amusing, considering... read more I'm balding quite rapidly, I quite enjoyed it!
  • FrizzDrop
    January 26, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    A film not only on the amazing nature of African American hair and its qualities, but also the industry that takes in billions of dollars a year in order to assimiliate the populus. Delving into everything from the Bronner Brothers Hair Show in Atlanta which holds the most absurd... read more of competitions, India where most of the hair that goes into weaves is cut and sewed, and bringing out tubs of relaxer that can dissolve a soda can in four hours, this film covers all the bases of a good documentary. Great interviews by African American performers, business owners who are part of the hair movement, and a scientist unknowing of the true use of a chemical so deadly it melts the skin off raw chicken. With a societal scope and being highly intellectual this funny film about what it means to be a woman in our country drastically alters what good hair defines in a person and a race.
  • gor41
    October 27, 2010
    gor41
    Niche doc on black womens' obsession with their hair which skirts around some of the tricky issues - Rock is a lot more restrained than in his stand-up and bottles out on the key question of why black women want to look like white movie stars of old ? Ultimately, it raises a lot ... read moremore questions than it satisfactorily answers.
  • gator681
    April 21, 2011
    gator681
    In the amusing documentary "Good Hair," Chris Rock is worried about the future of his infant daughters, namely their hair care. He should have cause for concern, considering black parents are already putting relaxer in their children's hair by the time they are 3 in order to str... read moreaighten it out but at that age, it could permanently damage their hair.(Relaxer is actually sodium hydroxide and given enough time could probably eat through anything.) None of this is really new.(I seem to recall relaxer being referenced in "Malcolm X.")

    And occasionally "Good Hair" has some insightful thoughts on black identity and how ideas of black beauty are formed from white models.(That's not to mention the helpful hints on how to make love to a woman who has hair weaves.) However, I disagree with Rock when he says it is all racial. Yes, only about 5% of black owned companies make weaves which start at $1,000 but is it any better when they are in charge of such an exorbitant business, putting people into debt as a result? In any case, this is simply basic capitalism in getting people to buy something they don't need.(Nor is it addiction, since there is no pleasure involved.) While Chris Rock interviews notables such as Maya Angelou and Al "The Dalai Lama of Relaxer" Sharpton, a lot of the other interview subjects are young black female entertainers who talk about their own issues with hair. But Rock does not probe deeply which is a shame since they are cultural trendsetters and could steer some impressionable young black women back towards agreeing with Tracie Thoms when she says "natural hair is freedom." Or no hair, for that matter.
  • fb796967648
    October 29, 2009
    fb796967648
    Incredibly entertaining and often fascinating, this documentary about black women's hair is much more than the sum of its seemingly slight parts. Chris Rock and crew explore the topic from angles you coudn't have expected, including a trip to India to find out where the raw mate... read morerials for weaves come from. Interspersed with interviews and insights are scenes following the contestants in a huge hairdressing competition in Atlanta that is as fun as the rest of the film is detailed. There's nothing surface-y about this film; it's the real deal.
  • crazydannielle16
    March 5, 2010
    crazydannielle16
    A very good movie, very humorous, very informational. "I feel like I've been stung by a thousand bees..."
  • ashleymh007
    June 5, 2010
    ashleymh007
    I can honestly say I will never look at hair the same way again!
  • nadyajoensen
    May 15, 2010
    nadyajoensen
    A delightful movie which gives a good insight on women's hair. Chris Rock gets amazed when his daughter asks him why she doesn't have good hair, he can't understand why she would think this, so he decides to investigate this furthermore. He travels around the country ti various s... read morealons and reveals a lot of secrets for women's (especially black women's) hair, This movie was funny and very informative, I didn't actually know how much time and money black women use on their hair.
  • fb632414987
    May 11, 2010
    fb632414987
    I really enjoyed this film\documentary that looks at the business of hair relaxers and weave extensions. More than this though it looks at the lengths people go to get their hair done, the associated costs, politics and the logistics of the business. Running alongside these is a ... read morefly on the wall look at the contestants for the Bronner Brothers International Hair Show. This is a competition for hairdressers that deals exclusively with styling afro-carribbean hair. But this is simplifying it greatly as the razzmatazz involved makes a Paris fashion show look like your local church fete.
    Sounds bland and boring? Well I can tell you it isnt, Rocks narative and interview style keep this very funny and interesting and some of the guests have genuinely serious points. Ice-T and the Al Sharpton were two that jumped out for me with Ice-T in pariticular giving a real down to earth, truthfull view that had me howling with laughter at times.
  • Yinali
    February 25, 2010
    Yinali
    How women, or specifically black woman rely on beauty products; spend their money on it, and live off of "crack hair". You can't help but watch the entire movie, curiosity gets the best of you. But you're well off, because it's a greatly made, structured, and organized truth you ... read moredidn't know before. "

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Critic Reviews

Lisa Kennedy
October 23, 2009
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

Full of sweetly sardonic observations, the docu-comedy is one of the funniest movies of the year. Full Review

Jesse Washington
October 23, 2009
Jesse Washington, Associated Press

Rock sheds new light on this old story through a poignant mix of interviews, investigation and his trademark satire. Full Review

Peter Hartlaub
October 23, 2009
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle

It's funny, clever and marginally educational. You can tell your friends you went to a documentary without having felt as if you saw one. Full Review

Colin Covert
October 22, 2009
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Morgan Spurlock, look lively. Sacha Baron Cohen, watch your back. Chris Rock's bright, wisecracking exposà (C) Good Hair is the mane event. Full Review

Wesley Morris
October 22, 2009
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

If you arrive at Good Hair never having thought about the complexities of black hair, bring a notebook. If you are a black woman wearing a weave, bring a tissue. Full Review

Steven Rea
October 22, 2009
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Good Hair is certainly no arid anthropological study. Rock's queries are loose and quippy, but his instincts are as sharp as an investigative journalist's. Full Review

Roger Moore
October 21, 2009
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Scattered as it sometimes seems, Good Hair is a real eye-opener... Full Review

Ann Hornaday
October 16, 2009
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

Good Hair, directed by longtime Rock collaborator Jeff Stilson, is such a rollicking, thoroughly entertaining ride that it's easy to take for granted just how easy Rock makes it look. Full Review

Frank Scheck
October 16, 2009
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

This entertaining exploration of black hair issues will get your dander up.

Stephen Cole
October 16, 2009
Stephen Cole, Globe and Mail

The film succeeds as a vehicle for Rock's personality. Full Review

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Good Hair Trivia

  • In "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", Willy Wonka greets the children saying "Good morning starshine, the earth says hello". What movie is that line orininally from?  Answer »
  • Ira:"Fighting the alien menace can be tough work." Harry:"And so is keeping your hair clean, shiny, and dandruff free." Wayne:"So it's a good thing that we always keep a healthy supply of..." All:"Head and Shoulders around the house!"   Answer »
  • Annelle: Miss Truvy, I promise that my personal tragedy will not interfere with my ability to ___________.   Answer »
  • "She's not even that good looking if you really look at her. I have this theary that if you cut all her hair off she'd look like a british man." What film is this quote from?  Answer »
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