Beauty Shop review

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

Armed with hot curling tongs and a cool 'tude, Queen Latifah brings effortless style to Billie Woodruff's Beauty Shop. She's feisty hairdresser Gina (previously seen in the ho-hum Barbershop 2) who ditches her job at a swanky salon to set up on her own. Kevin Bacon is wickedly funny as her frou frou ex-boss, affecting a ludicrous accent somewhere between Arnie and Graham Norton.

But their rivalry takes second place to Gina's struggle to build a better life for her daughter (Paige Hurd). Woodruff deftly balances the comedy and drama, though a romantic subplot involving Djimon Hounsou is lazily tacked on. Likewise, Alicia Silverstone's Clueless white girl routine is annoyingly contrived, especially as it's wrapped up in a halfhearted commentary on race relations. Thankfully the sharply written banter provides an edge, while Latifah's earthy charm and snipping sarcasm ensures the flick is a cut above the average.

More info

Available platformsMovie
Less

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine.