The Barber

Surprisingly much better than it sounds, the film is atmospheric and stylishly directed, and the screenplay has good ideas and dialogue. The film still has the markings of a routine thriller, and towards the end in particular it starts to lose itself. But it is a modest production, which does not try to be any better than it is, and it is rather fascinating to watch. McDowell quite effectively narrates and plays the leading role, and the music used in the film is very fitting in general - though the classical music used feels like a forced allusion to 'A Clockwork Orange'. Overall, it is not a masterpiece of cinema, but it is definitely better than the average thriller out there, and it certainly has more power to engage than most Hollywood productions today.

"The Barber" is an entertaining film about a serial killer hiding out in small town Alaska. The fact that almost everyone there can barely write their own name makes them easy prey for Malcolm McDowell, the town barber. Some good character development, and sharp humor help immensely. The bleak Alaskan winter provides an appropriately dreary backdrop for the strangling of several females. Friction develops between the local sheriff and an FBI agent sent to investigate. Most of the story is told from the killers viewpoint, and the ending is both unexpected and out of the ordinary. I liked it and recommend "The Barber" - MERK

Well you might think me partial because my girlfriend is in this movie...but I know a bad movie when I see one, and this isn't one of them.

It' engaging from the very beginning. You immediately care about the characters and you feel very much for them as they progress through the story. Malcom Macdowell plays...well Malcom Macdowell, and it's a role made exactly for him. Malcom Macdowell really could be a murderous barber with a knack for charming woman. In fact, the entire movie is perfectly cast. The lines that each delivers, are lines that seem only that actor could deliver.

"Come over here Jewel...I've got a nice big sink to do you in!"

In short, it's believable, funny, engaging and most of all, entertaining. You come away smiling.

ash...

I bought the DVD of this movie for five bucks at Fred Meyer. Honestly, I thought it was going to suck. I only bought it because it stars Malcolm McDowell, and I'd watch that man read the phone book.

Big surprise! The Barber is delightful! It's filled with dark humor, wit, and some really terrific visual jokes. Oh yeah, and grisly murders, too.

Malcolm McDowell is fantastic, as usual. He alternately downplays the character and chews the scenery. The rest of the cast is good as well. The chief of police is excellent as he slowly comes unhinged. The dim but sweet Jules was another of my favorites.

Sure, there are technical problems. It's a low-budget flick, and they could have used a continuity editor. But so what? The movie is great fun. Watch it on a dark, cold night.

And I'm not just saying this because Malcolm McDowell makes my horns pointy.

Something is happening in the small Alaskan town where a woman is found dead in the snow. Right after she is discovered, the FBI gets into the case because it ties up with other killings in the Northwest. The town is about to celebrate Christmas, but it won't be a happy time for anyone because suddenly other young women are killed, as well.

Michael Bafaro's, "The Barber", shows some interesting aspects as a mystery movie. Although our attention is immediately drawn toward the most obvious person, something that the local police enforcers, or even the FBI overlook. In fact the film seems to be telling us the assassin is getting away with murder, because the one responsible eludes being trapped.

The film is watchable because of the work of Malcom McDowell in the film. He is an interesting actor to watch at work. Mr. McDowell is always a welcome addition to any film, as he proves in this one. Jeremy Ratchford is also an asset playing the police chief. The FBI agent discovers something murky in his past that might implicate him in the murders.

The bleak winter of that remote town in Alaska is captured in the film with good results by Mr. Bafaro and his crew. While this film doesn't break new ground, it will keep the viewer involved in the story.