Good Hair (2009)

94% of critics liked it
(80 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(47,621 ratings)

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 and filmmaker Jeff Stilson have extended the conversation to a full-length film in this witty… More 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 and 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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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Jeff Stilson
Written By: Chris Rock, Lance Crouther, Chuck Sklar, Jeff Stilson
Genres: Documentary, Comedy, Special Interest

In Theaters: Oct 9, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Feb 16, 2010
Studio: Roadside Attractions

Critic Reviews

Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
Full of sweetly sardonic observations, the docu-comedy is one of the funniest movies of the year.
Jesse Washington, Associated Press
Rock sheds new light on this old story through a poignant mix of interviews, investigation and his trademark satire.
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.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Morgan Spurlock, look lively. Sacha Baron Cohen, watch your back. Chris Rock's bright, wisecracking exposÃ (C) Good Hair is the mane event.
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.
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.
Alistair Harkness, Scotsman
Though Rock's affable nature and probing comic instincts ensure the tone is always light and jocular, his discoveries are sometimes jaw-dropping...
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph
It's an eye-opener, if a blatantly chauvinistic one: Rock's main beefs seem to be that men have to pay for it, and upkeep of such a coveted accessory is a barrier to intimacy in the bedroom.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
Chris Rock hosts this exploration into hair issues in the African-American community, talking to celebrities, experts and hairdressers. What's surprising is that this is such a big issue, although the film isn't much more than entertaining fluff.
Georgie Hobbs, Little White Lies
All Christopher Guest-allusions aside, this is a crucial documentary about race and gender today.
David Hughes, Empire Magazine
Despite dozens of interviews and Rock's personal agenda, this isn't the hard-hitting expose it should have been.
Cath Clarke, Time Out
Rock fronts this informative rummage through the $9 billion US black hair industry in a style much like his stand-up comedy: hilarious, insightful and charming enough to let him get away with the flammable stuff.
Robbie Collin, News of the World
It's just about sharp and funny enough to make you wish it was a bit sharper and funnier.
Karen Krizanovich, Radio Times
Though its production values are on the low side and it flounders a little as it bounces from Hollywood to India, overall it's a fascinating, energetic and enlightening film that'll ensure you'll never look at hair the same way again.
Kam Williams, Sly Fox
Chris Rock takes lighthearted look at black women's 'dos.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
...an amiable and mostly funny spotlight on a part of black culture...
Rubin Safaya, Cinemalogue.com
Mr. Rock and Mr. Stilson don't beat you up with a tiresome polemic a-la Michael Moore. Never does he put himself at the center of the film, condescend to the audience, or insult his interview subjects regardless of their views...
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Superficial doc.
Nora Lee Mandel, Film-Forward.com
The "Girlfriend, ya gotta see this movie!" of the year for an entertaining and provocative tour of some of the permutations of African-American women with their hair.
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
Good Hair stands as an informative and entertaining documentary, and one that's pulled off with no small measure of style.

Read all 24 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

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,… More
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 I'm balding quite rapidly, I quite enjoyed it!
Spencer S

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 of… More
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 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.
Gordon A

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… More
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 more questions than it satisfactorily answers.
Walter M

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… More
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 straighten 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.
Jeff T

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… More
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 materials 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.
Dannielle A

A very good movie, very humorous, very informational. "I feel like I've been stung by a thousand bees..."
ashley h

I can honestly say I will never look at hair the same way again!
Naughtia N

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… More
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 salons 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.
Justin F

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 fly… More
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 fly 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.
Yinalí R

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… More
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 didn't know before. "
Sarah P

Surprisingly interesting and funny too!
Christopher B

An interesting, light documentary, that reveals a lot about the African American mindset while talking about something as seemingly harmless as hair care. Well done.
matt s

This might just be the best movie Chris Rock has made, second to Pootie Tang. Rock is best when he's narrating and giving his comic jabs to a subject in the background. Everybody Hates Chris was an underrated display of this. In Good Hair, we see Rock standing back letting his… More
This might just be the best movie Chris Rock has made, second to Pootie Tang. Rock is best when he's narrating and giving his comic jabs to a subject in the background. Everybody Hates Chris was an underrated display of this. In Good Hair, we see Rock standing back letting his subjects say these bits of dialogue that are surprising and honest. Def. worth a look and a fun time.
Sunil J

Nothing fantastic but very entertaining and interesting for a one time watch.
Movee C

Good Hair is a intriguing, informative, and funny movie about the history of the "hair world". Chris Rock travels around the world in search of answers to his questions about "black hair". From perms to weave and everything in between this film delivers.… More
Good Hair is a intriguing, informative, and funny movie about the history of the "hair world". Chris Rock travels around the world in search of answers to his questions about "black hair". From perms to weave and everything in between this film delivers. Unbe"weave"ably done.
Remi L

I will always love Chris Rock for creating this film. So eye-opening and informative. It was crazy watching it. Watching this film from my perspective was like I was part of a club all this time that I didn't even realize I was a part of. I went through many of these experiences… More
I will always love Chris Rock for creating this film. So eye-opening and informative. It was crazy watching it. Watching this film from my perspective was like I was part of a club all this time that I didn't even realize I was a part of. I went through many of these experiences as a child growing up, never knowing that MILLIONS of other young girls have experienced the exact same thing. I feel like the criticism towards Rock was unwarranted. This fear of "airing dirty laundry" or whatever. Its a discussion that needs to be had. It didn't make me feel embarrassed or ashamed, just more self-aware. I'm SO glad Rock made this film and it will definitely be added to my film library when the DVD comes out!