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{{short description|2009 American comedy documentary film by Jeff Stilson}}
{{short description|2009 American comedy documentary film by Jeff Stilson}}
{{other uses|Good hair (disambiguation)}}
{{other uses|Good hair (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}

{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Good Hair
| name = Good Hair
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| director = [[Jeff Stilson]]
| director = [[Jeff Stilson]]
| producer = [[Jenny Hunter]]<br />Kevin O'Donnell
| producer = [[Jenny Hunter]]<br />Kevin O'Donnell
| writer = [[Lance Crouther]]<br />[http://mrpaulmarchand.net Paul Marchand]<br />[[Chris Rock]]<br />[[Chuck Sklar]]<br />Jeff Stilson
| writer = [[Lance Crouther]]<br />Paul Marchand<br />[[Chris Rock]]<br />[[Chuck Sklar]]<br />Jeff Stilson
| narrator = Chris Rock
| narrator = Chris Rock
| music = [[Marcus Miller]]
| music = [[Marcus Miller]]
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| language = English
| language = English
| budget =
| budget =
| gross = $4,028,558<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=goodhair.htm# | title=Good Hair (the documentary) (2009) | publisher=Box Office Mojo | access-date=2009-10-19}}</ref>
| gross = $4,028,558<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=goodhair.htm# | title=Good Hair (the documentary) (2009) | publisher=Box Office Mojo | access-date=October 19, 2009}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Good Hair''''' is a 2009 American documentary film directed by [[Jeff Stilson]] and produced by [[Chris Rock|Chris Rock Productions]] and [[HBO Films]], starring and narrated by [[comedian]] [[Chris Rock]].<ref name="BET">[http://blogs.bet.com/entertainment/whattheflick/good-hair-trailer/ ‘Good Hair’ Trailer]</ref><ref name="ETOnline">[http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/07/77072/index.html Chris Rock's 'Good Hair']</ref> Premiering at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] on January 18, 2009, ''Good Hair'' had a limited release to theaters in the [[United States]] by [[Roadside Attractions]] on October 9, 2009, and opened across the country on October 23.
'''''Good Hair''''' is a 2009 American documentary film directed by [[Jeff Stilson]] and produced by [[Chris Rock|Chris Rock Productions]] and [[HBO Films]], starring and narrated by [[comedian]] [[Chris Rock]].<ref name="BET">[https://web.archive.org/web/20090801004357/http://blogs.bet.com/entertainment/whattheflick/good-hair-trailer/ 'Good Hair' Trailer]</ref><ref name="ETOnline">{{Cite web |url=http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/07/77072/index.html |title=Chris Rock's 'Good Hair' |website=[[Entertainment Tonight|ET Online]]|date=July 31, 2009|access-date=August 6, 2009 |archive-date=September 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906202221/http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/07/77072/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Premiering at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] on January 18, 2009, ''Good Hair'' had a limited release to theaters in the [[United States]] by [[Roadside Attractions]] on October 9, 2009, and opened across the country on October 23.


The film focuses on the issue of how African-American women have perceived their [[Afro-textured hair|hair]] and historically styled it. The film explores the current styling industry for black women, images of what is considered acceptable and desirable for African-American women's hair in the United States, and their relation to [[African American culture]].<ref name="ETOnline"/>
The film centers on the issue of how African-American women have perceived their [[Afro-textured hair|hair]] and historically styled it. The film explores the modern-day styling industry for black women, images of what is considered acceptable and desirable for African-American women's hair in the United States, and their relation to [[African-American culture]].<ref name="ETOnline"/>


==Overview==
==Overview==
According to Rock, he was inspired to make the movie after his three-year-old daughter Lola asked him, "Daddy, how come I don't have [[Good hair (phrase)|good hair]]?" She has curly, wiry hair typical of many people of African descent. He realized she had already absorbed the perception among some black people that curly hair was not "good".<ref name="ETOnline"/>
According to Rock, he was inspired to make the film after his three-year-old daughter Lola asked him, "Daddy, how come I don't have [[Good hair (phrase)|good hair]]?" She has curly, wiry hair typical of many people of African descent. He realized she had already absorbed the perception among some black people that curly hair was not "good".<ref name="ETOnline"/>


Rock delves into the $9 billion black hair industry, and visits such places as beauty salons, barbershops, and hairstyling conventions to explore popular approaches to styling. He visits scientific laboratories to learn the science behind [[chemical relaxer]]s that [[straighten hair]].<ref name="ETOnline"/><ref name="CNN">[http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/05/rock.good.hair/index.html "Chris Rock gets to the root of 'Good Hair'"], CNN, February 5, 2009</ref>
Rock delves into the $9 billion, black-owned hair industry, and visits such places as beauty salons, barbershops, and hairstyling conventions to explore popular approaches to styling. He visits scientific laboratories to learn the science behind [[chemical relaxer]]s that [[straighten hair]].<ref name="ETOnline"/><ref name="CNN">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/05/rock.good.hair/index.html|title=Chris Rock gets to the root of 'Good Hair'|website=[[CNN]]|date=February 5, 2009}}</ref>


Rock intended to explore the topic seriously, but with humor.<ref name="CNN"/> The movie features interviews from hair care industry businesspeople, stylists (Derek J, Jason Griggers and others) and their customers, and celebrities such as [[Ice-T]], [[Nia Long]], [[Paul Mooney (comedian)|Paul Mooney]], [[T-Pain]], [[Raven-Symoné]], [[Maya Angelou]], [[KRS-One]], [[Salt-n-Pepa]], [[Kerry Washington]], [[Eve (rapper)|Eve]], [[Al Sharpton|Reverend Al Sharpton]], [[Andre Harrell]], [[Tracie Thoms]], [[Lauren London]], and [[Meagan Good]].<ref name="ETOnline"/> These public figures discuss their experiences with their own hair, and the issue of how different types and characteristics of black hair are perceived in the black community.
Rock intended to explore the topic seriously, but with humor.<ref name="CNN"/> The movie features interviews from hair care industry businesspeople, stylists (Derek J, Jason Griggers and others) and their customers, and celebrities such as [[Ice-T]], [[Nia Long]], [[Paul Mooney (comedian)|Paul Mooney]], [[T-Pain]], [[Raven-Symoné]], [[Maya Angelou]], [[KRS-One]], [[Salt-n-Pepa]], [[Kerry Washington]], [[Eve (rapper)|Eve]], [[Al Sharpton|Reverend Al Sharpton]], [[Andre Harrell]], [[Tracie Thoms]], [[Lauren London]], and [[Meagan Good]].<ref name="ETOnline"/> These public figures discuss their experiences with their own hair, and the issue of how different types and characteristics of black hair are perceived in the black community.


==Themes==
==Themes==
Rock explores why black women adopt so many different styles for their hair. Techniques designed to straighten hair appear to be intended to give it characteristics of European (or "white") hair. Other styles create elaborate designs related to African traditions and recent innovations in fashion. Rock is quoted as saying, "I knew women wanted to be beautiful, but I didn't know the lengths they would go to, the time they would spend—and not complain about it. In fact, they appear to look forward to it."<ref name="puente">{{Cite news |last=Puente |first=Maria |date=October 25, 2009 |title=Chris Rock's 'Good Hair' Gets Tangled up in Controversy |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-10-22-good-hair-main_N.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103231107/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-10-22-good-hair-main_N.htm |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=July 16, 2018}}</ref>
Rock explores why black women adopt so many different styles for their hair. Techniques designed to straighten hair appear to be intended to give it characteristics of Eurocentric (or "white") hair. Other styles create elaborate designs related to African traditions and recent innovations in fashion. Rock is quoted as saying, "I knew women wanted to be beautiful, but I didn't know the lengths they would go to, the time they would spend—and not complain about it. In fact, they appear to look forward to it."<ref name="puente">{{Cite news |last=Puente |first=Maria |date=October 25, 2009 |title=Chris Rock's 'Good Hair' Gets Tangled up in Controversy |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-10-22-good-hair-main_N.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103231107/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-10-22-good-hair-main_N.htm |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=July 16, 2018}}</ref>


==Interviews with public figures==
==Interviews with public figures==
The film features interviews with prominent entertainers and other public figures, including [[Nia Long]], [[Ice-T]], [[Raven-Symoné]], [[Maya Angelou]], [[Salt-n-Pepa]], [[Eve (rapper)|Eve]], [[Tracie Thoms]], and Reverend [[Al Sharpton]]. They provide opinions on "good hair" and recount personal experiences in dealing with their hair.
The film features interviews with prominent entertainers and other public figures, including [[Nia Long]], [[Ice-T]], [[Raven-Symoné]], [[Maya Angelou]], [[Salt-n-Pepa]], [[Eve (rapper)|Eve]], [[Tracie Thoms]], and Reverend [[Al Sharpton]]. They provide opinions on "good hair" and recount personal experiences in dealing with their hair.

Nia Long says, "There's always this sort of pressure within the black community like, if you have good hair, you're prettier or better than the brown-skinned girl that wears the Afro or the [[Dreadlocks|dreads]] or the natural hairstyle."


In Jeannette Catsoulis' review of the film, she notes that Rock questions why African-American women adopt a concept of "beauty" that is not based on the natural characteristics of their hair. Some endure sometimes-painful hair treatments in order to achieve this definition of beauty. If the treatments, such as hair relaxers, are done improperly, they can cause hair loss or burns on the scalp.
In Jeannette Catsoulis' review of the film, she notes that Rock questions why African-American women adopt a concept of "beauty" that is not based on the natural characteristics of their hair. Some endure sometimes-painful hair treatments in order to achieve this definition of beauty. If the treatments, such as hair relaxers, are done improperly, they can cause hair loss or burns on the scalp.


Al Sharpton says, "We wear our economic oppression on our heads." He refers to the hair business, which yields billions of dollars in revenues and has shifted from African-American manufacturers to Asian manufacturers, redirecting the profits from the industry out of the African-American community.
Al Sharpton says, "We wear our economic oppression on our heads."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Penha-Lopes |first1=Vânia |title=Confronting Affirmative Action in Brazil: University Quota Students and the Quest for Racial Justice |date=2017 |publisher=Lexington Books |location=Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania| isbn=978-1-4985-3779-7 |page=77 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MQolDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA77 |language=en}}</ref> He refers to the hair business, which yields billions of dollars in revenues and has changed from African-American manufacturers to Asian manufacturers, redirecting the profits from the industry out of the African-American community.


To gain insights into the cultural issue, Rock also interviewed students and faculty at [[Santa Monica High School]], customers in hair salons and barbershops, and hair dealers. He visited [[Dudley Products]], one of the few companies owned by African Americans that makes hair products for the African-American community.
To gain insights into the cultural issue, Rock also interviewed students and faculty at [[Santa Monica High School]], customers in hair salons and barbershops, and hair dealers. He visited [[Dudley Products]], one of the few companies owned by African-Americans that makes hair products for the African-American community.


==Reception==
==Reception==
The film met with positive reviews from critics. ''Good Hair'' currently holds a 95% "certified fresh" rating on aggregate review website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] based on 78 reviews, with an average score of 7.4/10.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://au.rottentomatoes.com/m/good_hair/ |title=Good Hair Movie Reviews, Pictures |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=November 7, 2009}}</ref> Another review aggregation website, [[Metacritic]], based on 100 reviews from mainstream critics, gave the film an average score of 72/100 based on 27 reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/good-hair | title=Good Hair (2009): Reviews | publisher=Metacritic | date=2009-10-09 | access-date=2009-10-19}}</ref> It received the Special Jury Prize Documentary at the [[2009 Sundance Film Festival]].<ref>[http://history.sundance.org/events/842 2009 Sundance Film Festival] sundance.org</ref>
The film met with positive reviews from critics. ''Good Hair'' currently holds a 94% rating on [[review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]] based on 85 reviews, with an average score of 7.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Funny, informative, and occasionally sad, ''Good Hair'' is a provocative look at the complex relationship between African Americans and their hair."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/good_hair |title=Good Hair |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=November 5, 2022}}</ref> Another review aggregation website, [[Metacritic]], gave the film an average score of 72/100 based on 27 reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/good-hair | title=Good Hair (2009): Reviews | publisher=Metacritic | date=October 9, 2009 | access-date=October 19, 2009}}</ref> It received the Special Jury Prize Documentary at the [[2009 Sundance Film Festival]].<ref>[http://history.sundance.org/events/842 2009 Sundance Film Festival] sundance.org</ref>


''Good Hair'' opened in limited release on October 9, 2009, becoming the fourteenth-highest-grossing film for the weekend of October 9–11, 2009 with $1,039,220 in 186 theaters with a $5,587 average.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2009&wknd=41&p=.htm | title=Weekend Box Office Results for October 9–11, 2009 | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=2009-10-19 | date=2009-10-11}}</ref> The film expanded to 466 theaters on October 23.<ref name="BOMojo">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=goodhair.htm# | title=Good Hair (2009) | publisher=Box Office Mojo | access-date=2009-10-19}}</ref>
''Good Hair'' opened in limited release on October 9, 2009, becoming the 14th highest-grossing film for the weekend of October 9–11, 2009 with $1,039,220 in 186 theaters with a $5,587 average.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2009&wknd=41&p=.htm | title=Weekend Box Office Results for October 9–11, 2009 | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=October 19, 2009 | date=October 11, 2009}}</ref> The film expanded to 466 theaters on October 23.<ref name="BOMojo">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=goodhair.htm# | title=Good Hair (2009) | publisher=Box Office Mojo | access-date=October 19, 2009}}</ref>


In his review, [[Roger Ebert]] stated "Few people of any race wear completely natural hair. If they did, we would be a nation of [[Ted Kaczynski|Unabombers]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/good-hair-2009| title=GOOD HAIR (2009)}}</ref> Rock responded to critics on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'', saying "it's not important what's on top of your head—it's important what's inside of your head. That is the theme of the movie."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.oprah.com/entertainment/Chris-Rock-Responds-to-Good-Hair-Critics/3#ixzz2nQtCjuFs | title=Chris Rock Responds}}</ref>
In his review, [[Roger Ebert]] stated "Few people of any race wear completely natural hair. If they did, we would be a nation of [[Ted Kaczynski|Unabombers]]."<ref>{{cite web|first=Roger|last=Ebert|authorlink=Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/good-hair-2009| title=Chris Rock explores the private mysteries of beauty salons|date=October 7, 2009|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|via=[[RogerEbert.com]]|accessdate=March 9, 2023}}</ref> Rock responded to critics on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'', saying "it's not important what's on top of your head—it's important what's inside of your head. That is the theme of the movie."<ref name="puente"/><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.oprah.com/entertainment/chris-rock-responds-to-good-hair-critics/all | title=Chris Rock Responds|website=[[Oprah.com]]|date=September 30, 2009}}</ref>


===Lawsuit from Regina Kimbell===
===Lawsuit from Regina Kimbell===
On October 5, 2009, [[documentary]] filmmaker Regina Kimbell filed a lawsuit in a [[Los Angeles]] court against Chris Rock Productions, HBO Films, and ''Good Hair''{{'}}s American and international distributors. Kimbell charged that Rock's film is an illegal [[copyright infringement|infringement]] of her similarly themed documentary, ''[[My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage]]'', which she says she screened for Rock in 2007.<ref>[https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gao96t5IiIHP3Fua1fAPIyTmZ8zwD9B6F0SG1 "Filmmaker sues Chris Rock over 'Good Hair'"], [[Associated Press]], 8 October 2009, Retrieved 8 October 2009</ref> Kimbell sought an [[injunction]] against the wide release of ''Good Hair'', but a federal judge allowed Rock's film to be released as scheduled.<ref>{{cite news |title=Judge refuses to block Chris Rock film |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/judge-refuses-block-chris-rock-film-wbna33387880 |work=TODAY.com |agency=Associated Press |date=19 October 2009 }}</ref>
On October 5, 2009, [[documentary]] filmmaker Regina Kimbell filed a lawsuit in a [[Los Angeles]] court against Chris Rock Productions, HBO Films, and ''Good Hair''{{'}}s American and international distributors. Kimbell charged that Rock's film is an illegal [[copyright infringement|infringement]] of her similarly themed documentary, ''[[My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage]]'', which she says she screened for Rock in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gao96t5IiIHP3Fua1fAPIyTmZ8zwD9B6F0SG1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018015825/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gao96t5IiIHP3Fua1fAPIyTmZ8zwD9B6F0SG1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 18, 2009 |title=Filmmaker sues Chris Rock over 'Good Hair'|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=October 8, 2009|accessdate=October 8, 2009}}</ref> Kimbell sought an [[injunction]] against the wide release of ''Good Hair'', but a federal judge allowed Rock's film to be released as scheduled.<ref>{{cite news |title=Judge refuses to block Chris Rock film |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/judge-refuses-block-chris-rock-film-wbna33387880 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=October 19, 2009 }}</ref>


===Rock on ''The Oprah Winfrey Show''===
===Rock on ''The Oprah Winfrey Show''===
Rock appeared on the [[Oprah Winfrey Show]] to promote and discuss his film. During his second appearance, a roundtable of prominent black women, some from the fashion industry, discussed the issue of hair and self-esteem. Mikki Taylor, beauty and cover editor for ''[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]]'', and Ayana Byrd, an editor for ''[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]'', questioned whether the phrase was still apt.<ref name="puente"/>
Rock appeared on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' to promote and discuss his film. During his second appearance, a roundtable of prominent Black women, some from the fashion industry, discussed the issue of hair and self-esteem. Mikki Taylor, beauty and cover editor for ''[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]]'', and Ayana Byrd, an editor for ''[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]'', questioned whether the phrase was still apt.<ref name="puente"/>


==Recognition and honors==
==Recognition and honors==
The film received the Special Jury Prize for a Documentary at the [[2009 Sundance Film Festival]].<ref>[http://history.sundance.org/events/842 2009 Sundance Film Festival], Sundance Film Festival Official website</ref> [[Chris Rock]], [[Jeff Stilson]], [[Lance Crouther]], and [[Chuck Sklar]] were nominated for [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Documentary Screenplay|Best Documentary Screenplay]] from the [[Writers Guild of America Awards 2009|Writers Guild of America]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvsourcemagazine.com/2010/02/1904-2010-writers-guild-award-winners/|title=2010 Writers Guild Award Winners|date=February 21, 2010|website=TV Source Magazine|access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref>
The film received the Special Jury Prize for a Documentary at the [[2009 Sundance Film Festival]].<ref>[http://history.sundance.org/events/842 2009 Sundance Film Festival], Sundance Film Festival Official website</ref> [[Chris Rock]], [[Jeff Stilson]], [[Lance Crouther]], and [[Chuck Sklar]] were nominated for [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Documentary Screenplay|Best Documentary Screenplay]] from the [[Writers Guild of America Awards 2009|Writers Guild of America]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvsourcemagazine.com/2010/02/1904-2010-writers-guild-award-winners/|title=2010 Writers Guild Award Winners|date=February 21, 2010|website=TV Source Magazine|access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref>

==Legacy==

In the wake of [[Chris Rock]]'s comments on [[Jada Pinkett Smith]]'s hairstyle at the [[94th Academy Awards]], as well as [[Will Smith]]'s [[Chris Rock–Will Smith slapping incident|publicly slapping Rock in response to it]], ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' reported many Black women took to [[Twitter]] to reassess the film.<ref name="Time">{{cite magazine| first=Andrew R.|last=Chow|url=https://time.com/6161372/will-smith-chris-rock-oscars-2022/|title=Will Smith's Oscars Slap Is the Culmination of Long, Complicated History |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=March 29, 2022}}</ref> One of the film's interviewees, interior designer Sheila Bridges, who suffers from [[Alopecia areata|alopecia]], criticized Rock for his joke about Pinkett Smith on her [[Instagram]] page, saying, "Shame on you @chrisrock. Didn't we sit down and talk at length about how painfully humiliating and difficult it is to navigate life as a bald woman in a society that is hair obsessed?"<ref name="Time"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2022/03/28/shelia-bridges-will-smith-chris-rock-slap-oscars-loss/?adid=social-twa |title= Celeb Designer Sheila Bridges Will & Chris Played Into Stereotypes... 'A Loss All Around' |website=[[TMZ]] |date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=March 29, 2022}}</ref>

== See also ==

* ''[[My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage]]'' (2006 documentary)
* ''[[No Lye: An American Beauty Story]]'' (2019 documentary)


==References==
==References==
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* {{cite journal |last=Crawford |first=Bridget |title=The Currency of White Women's Hair in a Down Economy |url=http://digitalcommons.pace.edu/lawfaculty/815/ |journal=Women's Rights Law Reporter |date=2010 |volume=32 |issue=1 |pages=45–55}}
* {{cite journal |last=Crawford |first=Bridget |title=The Currency of White Women's Hair in a Down Economy |url=http://digitalcommons.pace.edu/lawfaculty/815/ |journal=Women's Rights Law Reporter |date=2010 |volume=32 |issue=1 |pages=45–55}}
* {{cite journal |last=Davis |first=Patrick |title=Good Hair and Bad Hair: What This Seems to Say About Us |journal=Multicultural Education |date=Summer 2003 |volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=39–41 |oclc=682417517 |url=https://www.proquest.com/openview/8efd7b6cff8286523442c4dd7d4015a2/1 }}
* {{cite journal |last=Davis |first=Patrick |title=Good Hair and Bad Hair: What This Seems to Say About Us |journal=Multicultural Education |date=Summer 2003 |volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=39–41 |oclc=682417517 |url=https://www.proquest.com/openview/8efd7b6cff8286523442c4dd7d4015a2/1 }}
* {{cite news |last1=Catsoulis |first1=Jeannette |title=Look but Don't Touch: It's All About the Hair |url=http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/movies/09hair.html |work=The New York Times |date=8 October 2009 }}
* {{cite news |last1=Catsoulis |first1=Jeannette |title=Look but Don't Touch: It's All About the Hair |url=http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/movies/09hair.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 8, 2009 }}
* {{cite news |title=Chris Rock's Good Hair |url=http://www.oprah.com/entertainment/Chris-Rocks-Good-Hair-Documentary |work=Oprah.com }}
* {{cite news |title=Chris Rock's Good Hair |url=http://www.oprah.com/entertainment/Chris-Rocks-Good-Hair-Documentary |work=[[Oprah.com]] |date=2009-09-30}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Johnson |first1=Dianne |title=Hairitage: Women Writing Race in Children's Literature |journal=Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature |date=2009 |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=337–355 |id={{Project MUSE|393360}} |jstor=40783423 }}
* {{cite journal |last=Johnson |first=Dianne |author-link=Dinah Johnson |title=Hairitage: Women Writing Race in Children's Literature |journal=Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature |date=2009 |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=337–355 |doi=10.1353/tsw.2009.a393360 |id={{Project MUSE|393360}} |jstor=40783423 }}
* {{cite news |last1=Kit |first1=Zorianna |title=Chris Rock's Good Hair Documentary: Something to Talk About |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/zorianna-kit/chris-rocks-good-hair-doc_b_316952.html |work=HuffPost |date=18 March 2010 }}
* {{cite news |last1=Kit |first1=Zorianna |title=Chris Rock's Good Hair Documentary: Something to Talk About |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/zorianna-kit/chris-rocks-good-hair-doc_b_316952.html |work=HuffPost |date=March 18, 2010 }}
* {{cite book |doi=10.4324/9780203066911-42 |chapter=Globalization, beauty regimes, and mediascapes in the New India |title=The Routledge Companion to Media & Gender |year=2013 |pages=381–391 |isbn=978-0-203-06691-1 }}
* {{cite book |first=Radhika |last=Parameswaran |author-link=Radhika Parameswaran |doi=10.4324/9780203066911-42 |chapter=Globalization, beauty regimes, and mediascapes in the New India |title=The Routledge Companion to Media & Gender |year=2013 |pages=381–391 |isbn=978-0-203-06691-1 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Chidester |first1=David |title=Sacred |journal=Material Religion |date=March 2011 |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=84–90 |doi=10.2752/175183411X12968355482132 |s2cid=218835114 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Chidester |first1=David |title=Sacred |journal=Material Religion |date=March 2011 |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=84–90 |doi=10.2752/175183411X12968355482132 |s2cid=218835114 }}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|1213585|Good Hair}}
* {{IMDb title||}}
* {{Allmovie title|476972|Good Hair}}
* {{Allmovie title|476972|Good Hair}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|good_hair|Good Hair}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|good_hair|Good Hair}}
* {{Metacritic film|good-hair|Good Hair}}
* {{Metacritic film|title=Good Hair}}
* {{mojo title|goodhair|Good Hair}}
* {{mojo title|goodhair|Good Hair}}


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[[Category:African-American films]]
[[Category:African-American films]]
[[Category:African-American hair]]
[[Category:African-American hair]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:Documentary films about African Americans]]
[[Category:Documentary films about African Americans]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:Films produced by Chris Rock]]
[[Category:Films produced by Chris Rock]]
[[Category:Films scored by Marcus Miller]]
[[Category:HBO documentary films]]
[[Category:HBO documentary films]]
[[Category:LD Entertainment films]]
[[Category:Roadside Attractions films]]
[[Category:Roadside Attractions films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Chris Rock]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Chris Rock]]
[[Category:Documentary films about human hair]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]

Revision as of 01:30, 13 July 2024

Good Hair
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJeff Stilson
Written byLance Crouther
Paul Marchand
Chris Rock
Chuck Sklar
Jeff Stilson
Produced byJenny Hunter
Kevin O'Donnell
Narrated byChris Rock
CinematographyCliff Charles
Mark Henderson
Edited byPaul Marchand
Greg Nash
Music byMarcus Miller
Production
companies
Distributed byRoadside Attractions
Release dates
  • January 18, 2009 (2009-01-18) (Sundance)
  • October 9, 2009 (2009-10-09) (United States)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$4,028,558[1]

Good Hair is a 2009 American documentary film directed by Jeff Stilson and produced by Chris Rock Productions and HBO Films, starring and narrated by comedian Chris Rock.[2][3] Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2009, Good Hair had a limited release to theaters in the United States by Roadside Attractions on October 9, 2009, and opened across the country on October 23.

The film centers on the issue of how African-American women have perceived their hair and historically styled it. The film explores the modern-day styling industry for black women, images of what is considered acceptable and desirable for African-American women's hair in the United States, and their relation to African-American culture.[3]

Overview

According to Rock, he was inspired to make the film after his three-year-old daughter Lola asked him, "Daddy, how come I don't have good hair?" She has curly, wiry hair typical of many people of African descent. He realized she had already absorbed the perception among some black people that curly hair was not "good".[3]

Rock delves into the $9 billion, black-owned hair industry, and visits such places as beauty salons, barbershops, and hairstyling conventions to explore popular approaches to styling. He visits scientific laboratories to learn the science behind chemical relaxers that straighten hair.[3][4]

Rock intended to explore the topic seriously, but with humor.[4] The movie features interviews from hair care industry businesspeople, stylists (Derek J, Jason Griggers and others) and their customers, and celebrities such as Ice-T, Nia Long, Paul Mooney, T-Pain, Raven-Symoné, Maya Angelou, KRS-One, Salt-n-Pepa, Kerry Washington, Eve, Reverend Al Sharpton, Andre Harrell, Tracie Thoms, Lauren London, and Meagan Good.[3] These public figures discuss their experiences with their own hair, and the issue of how different types and characteristics of black hair are perceived in the black community.

Themes

Rock explores why black women adopt so many different styles for their hair. Techniques designed to straighten hair appear to be intended to give it characteristics of Eurocentric (or "white") hair. Other styles create elaborate designs related to African traditions and recent innovations in fashion. Rock is quoted as saying, "I knew women wanted to be beautiful, but I didn't know the lengths they would go to, the time they would spend—and not complain about it. In fact, they appear to look forward to it."[5]

Interviews with public figures

The film features interviews with prominent entertainers and other public figures, including Nia Long, Ice-T, Raven-Symoné, Maya Angelou, Salt-n-Pepa, Eve, Tracie Thoms, and Reverend Al Sharpton. They provide opinions on "good hair" and recount personal experiences in dealing with their hair.

In Jeannette Catsoulis' review of the film, she notes that Rock questions why African-American women adopt a concept of "beauty" that is not based on the natural characteristics of their hair. Some endure sometimes-painful hair treatments in order to achieve this definition of beauty. If the treatments, such as hair relaxers, are done improperly, they can cause hair loss or burns on the scalp.

Al Sharpton says, "We wear our economic oppression on our heads."[6] He refers to the hair business, which yields billions of dollars in revenues and has changed from African-American manufacturers to Asian manufacturers, redirecting the profits from the industry out of the African-American community.

To gain insights into the cultural issue, Rock also interviewed students and faculty at Santa Monica High School, customers in hair salons and barbershops, and hair dealers. He visited Dudley Products, one of the few companies owned by African-Americans that makes hair products for the African-American community.

Reception

The film met with positive reviews from critics. Good Hair currently holds a 94% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes based on 85 reviews, with an average score of 7.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Funny, informative, and occasionally sad, Good Hair is a provocative look at the complex relationship between African Americans and their hair."[7] Another review aggregation website, Metacritic, gave the film an average score of 72/100 based on 27 reviews.[8] It received the Special Jury Prize Documentary at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.[9]

Good Hair opened in limited release on October 9, 2009, becoming the 14th highest-grossing film for the weekend of October 9–11, 2009 with $1,039,220 in 186 theaters with a $5,587 average.[10] The film expanded to 466 theaters on October 23.[11]

In his review, Roger Ebert stated "Few people of any race wear completely natural hair. If they did, we would be a nation of Unabombers."[12] Rock responded to critics on The Oprah Winfrey Show, saying "it's not important what's on top of your head—it's important what's inside of your head. That is the theme of the movie."[5][13]

Lawsuit from Regina Kimbell

On October 5, 2009, documentary filmmaker Regina Kimbell filed a lawsuit in a Los Angeles court against Chris Rock Productions, HBO Films, and Good Hair's American and international distributors. Kimbell charged that Rock's film is an illegal infringement of her similarly themed documentary, My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage, which she says she screened for Rock in 2007.[14] Kimbell sought an injunction against the wide release of Good Hair, but a federal judge allowed Rock's film to be released as scheduled.[15]

Rock on The Oprah Winfrey Show

Rock appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote and discuss his film. During his second appearance, a roundtable of prominent Black women, some from the fashion industry, discussed the issue of hair and self-esteem. Mikki Taylor, beauty and cover editor for Essence, and Ayana Byrd, an editor for Glamour, questioned whether the phrase was still apt.[5]

Recognition and honors

The film received the Special Jury Prize for a Documentary at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.[16] Chris Rock, Jeff Stilson, Lance Crouther, and Chuck Sklar were nominated for Best Documentary Screenplay from the Writers Guild of America.[17]

Legacy

In the wake of Chris Rock's comments on Jada Pinkett Smith's hairstyle at the 94th Academy Awards, as well as Will Smith's publicly slapping Rock in response to it, Time reported many Black women took to Twitter to reassess the film.[18] One of the film's interviewees, interior designer Sheila Bridges, who suffers from alopecia, criticized Rock for his joke about Pinkett Smith on her Instagram page, saying, "Shame on you @chrisrock. Didn't we sit down and talk at length about how painfully humiliating and difficult it is to navigate life as a bald woman in a society that is hair obsessed?"[18][19]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Good Hair (the documentary) (2009)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  2. ^ 'Good Hair' Trailer
  3. ^ a b c d e "Chris Rock's 'Good Hair'". ET Online. July 31, 2009. Archived from the original on September 6, 2009. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
  4. ^ a b "Chris Rock gets to the root of 'Good Hair'". CNN. February 5, 2009.
  5. ^ a b c Puente, Maria (October 25, 2009). "Chris Rock's 'Good Hair' Gets Tangled up in Controversy". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  6. ^ Penha-Lopes, Vânia (2017). Confronting Affirmative Action in Brazil: University Quota Students and the Quest for Racial Justice. Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania: Lexington Books. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-4985-3779-7.
  7. ^ "Good Hair". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  8. ^ "Good Hair (2009): Reviews". Metacritic. October 9, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  9. ^ 2009 Sundance Film Festival sundance.org
  10. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for October 9–11, 2009". Box Office Mojo. October 11, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  11. ^ "Good Hair (2009)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  12. ^ Ebert, Roger (October 7, 2009). "Chris Rock explores the private mysteries of beauty salons". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved March 9, 2023 – via RogerEbert.com.
  13. ^ "Chris Rock Responds". Oprah.com. September 30, 2009.
  14. ^ "Filmmaker sues Chris Rock over 'Good Hair'". Associated Press. October 8, 2009. Archived from the original on October 18, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  15. ^ "Judge refuses to block Chris Rock film". Today. Associated Press. October 19, 2009.
  16. ^ 2009 Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival Official website
  17. ^ "2010 Writers Guild Award Winners". TV Source Magazine. February 21, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  18. ^ a b Chow, Andrew R. (March 28, 2022). "Will Smith's Oscars Slap Is the Culmination of Long, Complicated History". Time. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  19. ^ "Celeb Designer Sheila Bridges Will & Chris Played Into Stereotypes... 'A Loss All Around'". TMZ. March 28, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.

Further reading