Review of Shampoo (1975) by Tonypolito — 27 Aug 2010
The film's best recommendation to today's viewer is the presence of Julie Christie. She's even ten times as lovely in this film - white go-go boots and all - as we remember her elsewhere. She makes her dated outfits and hair-dos simply glisten. If the viewer found Christie gorgeous and lovable elsewhere, this film will deliver an even much sweeter treat.
Despite its "AFI Laughs" award, there's actually very little comedy to be found in this supposedly satiric look at 1970s hairdresser Beatty mindlessly and unethically romping his way through "60s/70s free love" from one lady to another, married and single, even a mother and daughter (a very young Carrie Fisher).
Perhaps it was supposed to be humorous in that the male characters are so shallow. However shallow does not automatically equal funny.
This film, at some sort of symbolic level, is attempting to document the end of that period of American culture, where people such as Beatty discovered just how shallow and incomplete such a life could be.
It also documents the end of the real life Beatty/Christie affair - and their emotional distance plays right into their characters.
Warden as Christie's sugar daddy plays flat. The same can be said of Goldie Hawn as Beatty's two-timed, ur, many-timed, girlfriend.
Only recommended to viewers hankering to see Christie at her best.
This review of Shampoo (1975) was written by Tonypolito on 27 Aug 2010.
Shampoo has generally received positive reviews.
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