Blowdry MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -3

The mostly blue-collar workers of Keighley, England jokingly welcome the United Kingdoms national hair-dressers championship competition with a banner that reads "Hair they come." But enthusiasm grows into a frenzy when local hairdresser Shelley (Natasha Richardson) decides to enter the race. She teams with ex-husband Phil (Alan Rickman), whos the local barber, and her life partner, Sandra (Rachel Griffiths). Hilarious scenes of the flamboyant hair presentations are sure to tickle even the most macho of viewers. Beneath the comic antics in this ludicrous gathering of cutthroat competitors, lies the drama of a terminally-ill woman desperately wanting to reconcile her family. But Phil and their son Brian (Josh Hartnett) have never forgiven Shelley for leaving them for a lesbian relationship with Sandra. BLOWDRY is being compared to the recent American-made BEST IN SHOW about purebred dog competitors, and the British comedy, THE FULL MONTY. With a similar setting to last years THE BIG TEASE, audiences may be leery about BLOWDRY.

Heterosexual actresses playing lesbian relationships seem to be the new millennium's "cause de jour" in both films and television. In this film, Shelley and Sandra have been together for 10 years and Shelley has lost her son's respect. Now a teenager, Brian is both embarrassed by his mother's lifestyle and bitter that he seems less important to her than her lesbian lover. The strained relation with Brian, plus not being able to tell her "true love" she is dying, makes it hard to sympathize with Shelley. Even more unbelievable, when she dies, Shelley wants Phil, Brian and Sandra to live together happily ever after, which would validate her selfish choice 10 years earlier. Sandra and Shelley kiss twice, and many of the hairdressers and models are portrayed as either blatantly homosexual or transvestites dressed in flamboyant, revealing costumes. One model is shown nude from the waist up, covered with body paint. Another model makes a lewd comment as she flashes frontal nudity briefly for an ogler. And another scene deals with an implied pubic coif. A few obscenities, profanities and crudities round out BLOWDRY'S offensive features. Condoned homosexual lifestyles, nudity and obscenities should discourage discerning viewers.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Miramax Films, 375 Greenwich, NY, NY 10013