This film is frustrating. From the synopsis I thought it was going to be one of those films where people from a small neighborhood keep talking about other people's lives, which is an ugly and funny thing about almost all the societies. Instead of that, I saw a movie very poor in plot, that goes on and on and gets nowhere. Morealso, although it's labeled as "comedy", I don't remember having one single laugh. At best, a smile. It's really such a shame that an adorable actress like Latifah accepts doing this poorly written works, instead of going for the real funny ones. A deception for those who expect some laughs instead of a collection of clichés and repeated issues.

If there wasn't Andie MacDowell in this movie, I would never picked it up. But even her acting can't save it.For a beauty shop, the script is so badly written that you want to tear your hairs! The cliché of this kind of movie is the parlor room where the customers and staff are all together. So there is a lot of characters, but right there, they are rather dull, except for Alicia Silvertsone.First of all, she is cute and plays very sweetly a strong willed but a bit dumb young woman. Thus, she helps to open a debate about racial issues. I am often surprised to see that in American productions, all the cast can be afro-American (see "Prince of Bel-Air and other sitcoms…). My country isn't a model so far, because we shows maybe more mix but with less exposure also! So it's interesting to hear about that about Alicia's character but sadly, it isn't the main thing! Andie plays a little part but she is great because she seems to be a very down-to-earth woman, who can enjoy a good laugh sometimes!

Queen Latifah opens a beauty shop after her big argument with her boss.Latifah is kind, intelligent but just plain out of luck.Kevin Bacon steals the film in his role as the gay boss with a thick German accent. Wearing his blond wig, Bacon is hilarious in a performance that should have been considered for best supporting actor.The women and man hairstylist have a comment for everything and everyone but the film just seems to meander about.The writers should have remained focused on Latifah's relationship with the evil Bacon, who conspires with the State Board to ruin her after she takes business away from him.An aging Della Reese has a wasted one scene role as a high class woman entering the shop. Miss Reese was offered few lines and disappears rapidly.Alfre Woodard, as one of the stylists, is effective in her common talk but no nonsense approach.

30 year old gay white male here. Billie Woodruff, Queen Latifah and the entire cast did a bang up job on this movie, well done. I just simply love Black female Ghetto humor and I think it was done with style not offensive to anyone but what I am concerned about is that the way Blacks react to whites around a mainly black group (Alicia Silverstone and Andie McDowell's characters)? I was not offended but rather reminded that a white person can't "get in the groove or mood" of the others around him/her and not be looked at strangely. I've always believed you are a product of your environment even if it's just for the moment. Eventually the two girls were taken into the fold and that was great scripting but I still have that concern or question on an everyday scale? As part of a minority I try to accept others when they are out of their normal group; their behavior because I see it everyday. Queen Latifah did a monumental job of including everyone based on their own merits and I applaud her for that and I think that's the way she really is in person. I wish there were more of her and Billie Woodruff as well. Make a sequel!! Thanks you for letting me share. David