Barbershop (2002)

82% of critics liked it
(124 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(53,630 ratings)

Calvin (Ice Cube) never wanted to take over the family business, a barbershop on the south side of Chicago. Disgusted with the shop's crime-ridden neighborhood, and caught up in his moneymaking schemes, one morning Calvin decides to sell the shop to the shady Lester (Keith David). Chastised by his… More Calvin (Ice Cube) never wanted to take over the family business, a barbershop on the south side of Chicago. Disgusted with the shop's crime-ridden neighborhood, and caught up in his moneymaking schemes, one morning Calvin decides to sell the shop to the shady Lester (Keith David). Chastised by his pregnant wife, Jennifer (Jazsmin Lewis), for his rash decision, Calvin spends the day cutting heads at the shop, and starts to understand the importance of the legacy his grandfather and father have left to him. The bickering barbers include Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer), the old-timer with his own unique perspective on black life; Terri (rapper Eve in her film debut), a hot-tempered woman with a trifling boyfriend; Jimmy (Sean Patrick Thomas), a college educated snob; Ricky (Michael Ealy) a reformed criminal; Isaac (Troy Garity, the son of Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden), a white B-Boy, whom no one is ready to let cut their hair; and Dinka (Leonard Howze), a recent African immigrant who's too shy to express his feelings for Terri. Calvin learns to appreciate them all, and discovers that the place where they work is more than just a place to get a haircut -- it's a meeting place for the neighborhood, a place where folks can speak their minds and find out what's happening. Calvin gradually changes his mind about selling the shop, but it may be too late. Meanwhile, a bumbling thief, J.D. (Anthony Anderson) spends a painful day trying to crack open the ATM he's stolen from the grocery store across the street. Barbershop was directed by Tim Story and produced by George Tillman Jr. and Robert Teitel, the producers of Soul Food. Barbershop had its world premiere at the 2002 Urbanworld Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Tim Story
Written By: Mark Brown, Don D. Scott
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 13, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Jan 1, 2003
Studio: MGM/UA

Critic Reviews

Ted Shen, Chicago Reader
Some of the verbal jousts are hot, and a Laurel and Hardy routine involving a stolen ATM is fitfully hilarious, but this reminds me of a pilot for a cable sitcom.
David Germain, Associated Press
Barbershop is a cozy place to hang out for a while, even if you don't need a little off the sides.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
The movie's heart is in the right place, which generates enough warmth to make one root for it.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
A flat-out hilarious ensemble comedy that probably made me laugh out loud more than any other movie this year.
Richard Harrington, Washington Post
It's a likable venture that just misses being a lovable one.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
It's funny as hell.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Charming urban comedy for teens.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
[A] very smart, very clever, very well-written, and very funny piece of filmmaking...
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
A funny, warm, immensely likable, and all-ages-appealing film centering around the importance of heritage and family.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
The problem with Barbershop is that it tries too hard to be too many things.
Joe Lozito, Big Picture Big Sound
Rapper-turned-actor Ice Cube ably provides the emotional core in this story of a neighborhood barbershop and its assortment of colorful inhabitants, which is a cut above standard hip-hop cinematic fare.
, Time Out
Perhaps because it promotes traditional values - respect women, crime doesn't pay, family comes first - the film shines in those rare scenes when it plays with received wisdom.
Thomas Delapa, Boulder Weekly
...has the makings of a long-running franchise, but one that just doesn't cut it as a crossover hit.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
[Ice] Cube proves that he can be incredibly charismatic performer when he's not glowering at people.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Beneath the jokes is a story about community - what it means to belong to a community and one's responsibility to that community.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
One of the best entrants in the fast-growing urban comedy genre.
Tyler Hanley, Palo Alto Weekly
Clip off a little rehashed material here, trim a few unneeded characters there, and what you have left is sheer entertainment.
Nick De Semlyen, Empire Magazine
The script really should have been given a trim, as it tries to cram in so many characters that few are given the time and space to develop.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
The comedy is less than razor sharp.

Read all 19 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

John M

Funny and exciting. Ice Cube is great. Solid ensemble class.
Lenny M

Pretty good joint, but was it good enough for a sequel and a spinoff? Don't curr just cut my hurr. My barber's Vietnamese so I would have liked to have seen some Asians in the shop. Cedric carried this, great performance by him.
KJ P

Great Movie! It has tons of laughs and a great script to keep it going on all cylinders!
Khris N

One of the best comedies of he heart. In contrast to the hilarious Friday series, Barbershop brings to life the most politically incorrect movie which is hilarious! Cedric the Entertainer is the scene stealer as Eddie, the aged Barber with wisdom and wise cracks, mentoring the young… More
One of the best comedies of he heart. In contrast to the hilarious Friday series, Barbershop brings to life the most politically incorrect movie which is hilarious! Cedric the Entertainer is the scene stealer as Eddie, the aged Barber with wisdom and wise cracks, mentoring the young crew on barber and life skills. The humor is great and the story is heart and soul.
EightThirty .

Cool...Ice Cube is getting better with this whole Movie thang...Well done ^_^
Rachel F

Great movie but the second one is better.
Jason S

Interesting flick about the goings on in the local barbershop.
Fascade F

An incredible funnny movie that is no holds barred in teh comedy division. Alot of laughs as well as alot of memories about the previous generation. (MLK and MX) A good movie to enjoy add a star if you brought popcorn! LOL
Sunil J

Kinda clever. I remember likeing it for the witty banter and the simpleness of the movie.
Leo L

Hilarious! Absolute favorite!

Read all 10 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Ice Cube as Calvin Palmer

            Anthony Anderson as J.D.

            Cedric the Entertainer as Eddie

            Sean Patrick Thomas as Jimmy James

            Eve as Terri Jones

            Troy Garity as Isaac Rosenberg

            Michael Ealy as Ricky Nash

            Leonard Earl Howze as Dinka

            Keith David as Lester

            Jazsmin Lewis as Jennifer Palmer

            Lahmard J. Tate as Bill7

            Tom Wright as Detective Williams

            Lorenzo Clemons as Bank Manager

            Dev Kennedy as Detective Williams' Partner

            Pat "Soul" Scaggs as Motel Manager

            Eddie Bo Smith Jr. as Crazy Inmate

            Marshall Titus as Customer Joe

            Cliff Frazier as Customer Kwame

            Carl Wright as Checkers Fred

            Sonya Eddy as Janelle

            Eric Lane as Customer Rodney

            Maestro Harrell as Customer Tillman

            Vince Green as Waiting Customer

            Jalen Rose as Himself

            Jason Winston George as Kevin

            Kwame Amoaku as Stair Guy

            Kevin Morrow as Monk

            Marcia Wright as Angry Woman

            DeRay Davis as Hustle Guy

            Saralynne Crittenden as Big Mamma

            Jasmine Randle as Gabby

            Naomi Young Armstrong as Grandma

            Frank Townsend as Terri's Customer

            Scott Dent as Boy

            Laura E. Walls as Church Lady

            Woody Bolar as Customer Artis

            Deon Cole as Customer Darrel

            J. David Shanks as Customer Lamar

            Leon S. Rogers Jr. as Customer Larry

            Jam as Customer Lloyd

            Norm Van Lier as Customer Sam

            Ray Thompson as Customer Tyrone

            Mark Simmons as Customer Rob

            Cassandra Lewis as Young Mom

            Janina Gavankar as Fine Woman

            Olumiji Olawumi as Jay

            Satya Lee as Korean Woman

            Teara Hill Willborn as Little Kid

            Ebboney Wilson as Little Kid

            Chester Clay McSwain as Mailman

            Steven Simoncic as Officer With Photo

            Matt Orlando as Officer

            Willie B. Goodson as Officer

            Cynthia Maddox as Prison Guard

            Montina Woods as Rhonda Watts

            Llou Johnson as Salesman

            Dana Min Goodman as Cashier

            Parvesh Cheena as Samir

            Malik S. Middleton as Construction Worker

            Toyiah Marquis as Samir's Wife

            Cerall Duncan as Kevin's Other Woman

            Rhonda Bobo as Ricky's Girlfriend

            Tiffany S. Gaji as Cop
See full cast