Movie Review: Shampoo (1975) directed by Hal Ashby
It is the day before the United States election in 1968, but in Beverly Hills, hairdresser George (Warren Beatty) has other things to think about. He’s something of a star in his profession, much sought out by women, but locked into a contract with the owner of the studio he works at, the cheapskate Norman (Jay Robinson). In order to really soar in the business, he’ll need to open his own shop, but the banks don’t want to give him a loan because they don’t understand how the hairdressing business works and how his reputation will help.
His personal life is also more complicated than it should be. George initially got into hairdressing to meet women, and has been successful at this, bedding many attractive partners. However, he’s also said that he’s committing to one girlfriend, Jill (Goldie Hawn). Jill’s an aspiring actress, and director Johnny Pope (Tony Bill) is interested in casting her in a movie he’s going to make in Egypt. Jill is conflicted about being away from George, and wants reassurance from him, but he is trying to conceal his other affairs and isn’t completely there for her.
Jill’s best friend, Jackie (Julie Christie) is more supportive, but is also George’s ex, so that relationship is tricky. Jackie’s currently the mistress of sinister businessman Lester (Jack Warden), whose wife Felicia (Lee Grant) is one of George’s customers. George tries to leverage Felicia to get Lester to agree to bankroll his solo studio. Lester thinks George is gay (a stereotype of male hairdressers at the time) so does not suspect what’s going on. George also dallies with Felicia’s daughter Lorna (Carrie Fisher).
On Election Night, most of the characters are at the Republican celebration party. Skipping over various subplots, George’s serial infidelity is publicly exposed, and he has to deal with the fallout.
This film was made in the wake of the Watergate scandal, so the choice of Election Night 1968 and the ascension of Richard Nixon is a deliberate counterpoint to the duplicitous behavior of almost all the main characters in the movie. George’s downfall comes much quicker, but the house of lies is obvious in retrospect.
To be honest, this movie just wasn’t my cup of tea. I found it dull, and my attention often wandered. I wasn’t interested in the characters, despite some fine performances.
Content note: Infidelity, partial nudity, just off-screen sex, homophobia, rough but frank sexual language.
I can’t really recommend this movie, but Warren Beatty fans might be pleased.
