"The Village Barbershop" Review - Written by Anthony Thurber

The Village Barbershop
Year: 2009
Director: Chris Ford
Studio: Monterey Media / Hot Shave Productions
Stars: John Ratzenberger, Shelly Cole, Cindy Pickett
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 97 Mins
Official Website: http://www.thevillagebarbershop.com/



“The Village Barbershop” is a film that has played at such highly regarded festivals, such as the 2008 Newport Beach Film Festival, 2008 Rhode Island International Film Festival, and the 2008 Cinequest Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award for Best Feature.

Art Leroldi (John Ratzenberger) is an old barber who’s terminally irritable. His long time business partner and close friend died, now he’s facing the fact that he may have his barbershop foreclosed by a greedy landlord. He then, sets out to hire a new barber, but he never expected that he would be hiring a woman (Shelly Cole), who won’t take no for an answer and has problems of her own, as her ex-boyfriend dumped her. Soon, this woman would help him find his way back while to find hers.

Every year, I review a lot of films. Some of the films that I review are some of the worst films that have ever known to exist. But for a few of them, there are a few that I would classify as an indie gem, like this film, as twenty minutes into this film, I knew that I was going to seeing something special.

“The Viliage Barbershop” is one of the better comedies that I’ve seen in a while. Writer/Director Chris Ford does a great really putting back the notion that comedy movies can also have a heart. One of the things that made his direction good, he doesn’t do anything over the top, as the subject matter is handled very seriously. Ford also does a good job not slowing down the action for a needless scenes or some dialogue that the viewer can figure out.

But what makes Ford’s direction seem special, his ability to make the performances humorous and powerful. The performances in this film were top notch. The film truly has two great performances from John Ratzenberger and Shelly Cole. First, I really think that this is John Ratzenberger’s best work since the day of “Cheers” He does a great job playing this character, which is going through a tough time in his life, with his friend dying suddenly and the threat that he’s facing eviction from his barbershop. Ratzenberger does a great job timing his dramatic notes, while also adding some of the trademark humor that fan of “Cheers” know very well, as those two components don’t get in the way and makes the performance feel realistic. He also does a great job developing chemistry with his co-star Shelly Cole, as the two onscreen makes this film shine. Speaking of Cole, her performance was also very good, as she brings some heart and emotion to her character. Cole also had some very good fun moments, as she also was able to handle the mixture of comedy and drama, very well. Both of those performances made this film a treat to watch.

Another thing that made this film a joy to watch, the screenplay. It was heartwarming and humorous, the fact that this story and the dialogue was executed to perfection. One of the reasons for that, the way that Ford develops both of the main characters through out the course of the film. He goes into great detail with his two lead characters, as he explores the hardships that both of them are going through personally, so that you are invested in them emotionally through thick and thin. He also does a good job giving the two a backstory, as it sets the main characters, very well. Also, I liked is the way that Ford doesn’t spend his time slowing the dramatic and comedic action. He does that, by not waste time for dialogue that’s not needed or having scenes that would slow the film down. But what makes this screenplay very good; Ford keeps the core and warmness of the story intact in the direction and his screenplay. He does that by developing the friendship that the two main characters have, during the course of the film. It makes that film’s story very heartwarming through the witty humor and dramatic moments. This is what I want to see from a major studio film, once in a while, as there are not enough films like this being made from Hollywood.

I really hope this film finds an audience on DVD. In an era of comedy films, where the great comedies like “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Pineapple Express” rely on over the top gross humor. It was very nice to see a comedy that has heart and wit that makes you forget films like that.

“The Village Barbershop” is truly an indie gem that can’t be missed.

Review Rating: Five Stars