runamokprods While I'm a huge fan of Hal Ashby -"Harold and Maude" is one of my all time favorite films - "Shampoo" is a film I really like and respect, but can never quite take the leap to loving.It's certainly funny, and it has moments of real sadness, insight and sharp edged political satire. The way these upscale, self-involved Los Angelenos of 1968 partake of the free-love freedom of the 60s, but lose the associated political consciousness - completely ignoring Nixon's impending election - is a valid and interesting observation (albeit one the film kind of beats to death).But the story of George, an uber-hip promiscuous hairdresser, and his assorted bedmates never quite feels like it has the depth it pretends to, nor is it as funny as it wants to be.Beatty is good playing a send up of his own image, but I felt so aware that he was doing exactly that, that it sort of took me out of the film. He also makes George SO shallow, that while I could enjoy his adventures, and feel pity for the sadness underneath, I never could feel emotionally touched at how lost he really is. Julie Christie, Lee Grant, and Goldie Hawn are all very good, although each woman comes dangerously close to portraying a caricature.Yet, for all that complaining, I find I always do enjoy the film, and respect it. It just doesn't take me to that next level.

Jackson Booth-Millard I guessed this film would have something to hairdressing because of the obvious title that I heard a number of times, I was interested in watching mostly because of the good cast, directed by Hal Ashby (Harold and Maude, The Last Detail, Being There). Basically set during a 24-hour period in 1968, on the eve of the presidential election that would see Richard Nixon become President of the United States, it sees a day in the life of successful Beverly Hills hairdresser George Roundy (Golden Globe nominated Warren Beatty, also writing and producing). George's occupation and charisma have given him the perfect platform to meet and have sex many beautiful women, including his current girlfriend Jill (Golden Globe nominated Goldie Hawn), but he is dissatisfied with his professional life, he feels he is the creative star of the salon, playing second fiddle to owner Norman (Jay Robinson). George dreams of owning his own salon, but he lacks the money to do so, so he turns to his wealthy lover Jackie (Golden Globe nominated Julie Christie) and her unsuspecting husband Lester (Oscar and BAFTA nominated Jack Warden) to finance him, the situation is complicated by the secret that Lester's current mistress, Jackie, is George's former girlfriend, the most serious relationship he has ever had. Lester assumes that George is gay, he invites him to a Republican Party election night soiree, escorting Jackie, there the room is full of many of his present and former sexual partners, they later move on to a posh counterculture party, filled with drugs, alcohol and sexual indulgence. Lester and Jill catch George and Jackie having vigorous sex on the kitchen floor, Lester is impressed, but Jackie throws a chair at them, George tries to reconcile with Jill, while Jackie sees him for the rascal he is and flees. George realises he feels true love for Jackie, he proposes to her, by then it is too late, Jackie announces that Lester is divorcing his wife Felicia (Oscar winning, and Golden Globe nominated Lee Grant), who George has also been involved with, Lester will be taking her to Acapulco, George no longer has Jackie, Jill or Felicia, he realises his moral errors and has an epiphany, but it ultimately ends bleakly for him. Also starring Tony Bill as Johnny Pope, Carrie Fisher as Lorna, George Furth as Mr. Pettis, Ann Weldon as Mary, Randy Scheer as Dennis, Susanna Moore as Gloria, Mike Olton as Ricci, Luana Anders as Devra, William Castle as Sid Roth, Brad Dexter as Senator East, Howard Hesseman as Red Dog and Richard E. Kalk as Detective Younger. Beatty is good at being the sleazy and not easy to like hairdresser messing around with various women, Hawn is pretty and good at being innocent, Christie with her own English accent is likable as the woman who doesn't take nonsense, Warden is good in his time on screen, and I can see reasons why Grant would win the Oscar. I agree with critics that this film is amoral and has memorable moments of sorts, not just the sexual stuff, it grossed millions at the box office, but it didn't make me laugh much, and it doesn't quite have the same flair as other complicated relationship films, overall it is an average satirical comedy drama. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Writing, Original Screenplay and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, and it was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical. Worth watching!

grantss Mildly interesting but feels dated. Ostensibly a commentary on the social mores and morals of the late-1960s, this movie hasn't aged well. Much of the moral dilemmas and predicaments, which may have seemed fresh and unique at the time, are ingrained and old news now.The romance angle is also nothing new.The free-wheeling young people vs the stuffy older generation was laid on rather thick and is another aspect which seems not at all profound now.Has its moments though. Some quite funny scenes. Overall, however, just feels dull and pointless.Decent performances by Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Goldie Hawn and Jack Warden.

Icons76 It's a shame to read, as in today, that, the rating of this little classic masterpiece, that also happened to be one of the biggest box office smash's of the 1970's all over the World, has such a low grade scoring on IMDb! Explanation? Easy: lots of reviews from people who don't get LA, or Beverly Hills, most of all, lots, way too many, crazy, fool reviews from people literally "intoxicated" by the brutal Cinema of today, made only and with lots of money and useless subplots or science fictional sets: they do not even get that today we must use all that crap just to cover mostly up for what's so dramatically lacking: the force of genius, like in this great movie, or just a great script and solid actors, directed by a truly great director,with a vision! Shampoo is one of those movies that still speaks and widely to anyone! If you can listen,still, that is! A classic! The more you see it, the better you get it, and, it gets.. the more you understand its flawed characters, the melancholic subtext,the loneliness of a city like LA,where everything is dominated by money& superficiality,like looks.In LA someone good looking makes almost commercial asset out of it! Then they feel shallow and empty,and try to embrace spirituality to forget all the broken dreams! Or there're always drugs, handy. The lucky ones get married well,and, are unhappy anyways! Even lonelier than before! Not that LA is an awful town!We have got gorgeous woods,Oceanside,Hills with splendid views,sunshine, desert and Oasis, even Lakes.. We live quite healthy life styles (too bad we then use drugs to party and think we are still young..).. And, there's after all, some great architecture. People just don't know where to find it, but there is,actually! It is just the over all mentality,that kills every human feeling, that leaves you as drained as an old swimming pool! But,this sums up very well the all Country's mentality as well! In fact, LA is a melting pot, and,it is a place where you can invent and re-invent even the non existing: nobody wouldn't even ever know his/her limits, or at least, a little humbleness! They call you weak, if you're delicate and unassuming! If you even have had a 2 lines speaking role in a B movie, you must carry on yourself with an attitude: impress always, to get a little respect! Then what about all that sex? Yes, we do lots of it, because, sexual freedom aside, we are lonely, and, we always deceive ourselves.. We always wanna hope for something that's never going to be there.. looking for what's not really available! That is the true main philosophy! Back then as it is now! I think both Beatty's and Christie(she is truly divine here: unforgettable lines, incredible presence,strength,intellectual, glacial yet almost burning wit: her melting down party sequence, with that Iconic look and that unforgettable,trend setting,sequined black dress, she wears like a glove,almost like Marilyn wearing the Jean Louis's flesh gown to sing "Happy Birthday" to JFK,it is one of the most well known images of great, Classic US/Hollywood Cinema!). Goldie Hawn's a bit annoying, but truthful to her character,over all, while, the phenomenal Lee Grant and Jack Warden both shine in more classic representations of immortal LA classic characters! And, best work ever for both Carrie Fisher and Tony Bill,too! What can you say? With a script as clever and damned layered without bragging or going over useless extensions,as only the most vivid Robert Towne's job ever, could deliver,after or, along the lines, with"Chinatown",and,then, genius Hal Ashby,directing, with his personal, light, yet so unmatchable touch, Beatty,at its most powerful ever, producing and starring creating a sensation,opposite(again) an almost otherworldly Julie Christie and all the rest of the phenomenal players,What else needs to be said? Aside, from excellence, with no replay? How could you possibly beat this one up? Nobody can or could. Ever. And, especially, today! And, if you don't get it, i am sorry, you don't get true Cinema!