Opiniones de usuarios

The French are the masters of melancholy. I don't think I've ever been more pleased by sadness than after watching this beautiful film. A little boy obsesses over his hairdresser as a child and then finally fulfills his fantasy nearly forty years later when he marries a stunningly gorgeous owner of a barber shop on a whim. The story is simple, and though it may leave some viewers wanting more in terms of character development, it will play well if you see it as a fable. The two are madly in love with each other and their whole life revolves around the barber shop and their customers. Quirky humor, insightful observances about everyday life and people's behavior, and superb photography (especially of the luminous actress playing the hairdresser) make this a highly enjoyable film to watch. This is a wonderful look at how lust can grow into love, and how love can turn tragic and then hopeful again. Bravo to director Leconte. C'est la vie!

I hold foreign films in a different light from movies of North American mainstream cinema. I must admit - I'm more subjective when it comes to a foreign film. Why? I guess because they aren't in my language sometimes or have names I don't recognize. Most have turned out well, but not all. Perhaps the view that foreign movies are generally of good quality comes from the fact that American audiences are only exposed to foreign films of good quality. The comparison to "our" movies help too. Unfortunately that's a pretty select group year after year.

The Hairdresser's Husband is not such a foreign film. It didn't make the language barrier jump which is unfortunate. It's well worth the watch for anyone not completed saturated by American movies and customs. The film is equal parts drama and comedy.

It follows Antoine (Jean Rochefort) who as a little boy becomes infatuated with the local hairdresser almost like a secret boyhood crush. From that day on the love of a female hairdresser becomes part of his character. He grows up intent he will marry a hairdresser and hence the title - "The Hairdresser's Husband". He's the kind of person you know will make no harm in the world. Even in adulthood in many respects he is still a child. His personality is such that you'd look at him and know what kind of person he is.

He walks into a local hairdresser's shop and becomes mesmerized by Mathilde (Anna Galiena) the shop's hairdresser. She is beautiful and has a natural free flowing charm. Next thing he's getting his hair cut and inadvertently blurts out "Will you marry me?". General awkwardness follows. The next day, he comes back. Obviously not needing a cut. She tells him she heard what he said and the next thing they are together and he couldn't be more happier. Life suddenly has depth and meaning. He's been waiting for this moment in time his whole life.

"The Hairdresser's Husband" is a kind hearted film that isn't so much a story, but a character study carried out by talented performances and real emotion. Asking nothing but acceptance as it plays out. Although it is relatively brief, the short running time actually suits the material too. In an American movie, Antoine would have lost her somewhere in act two and had to battle to get her back from a person not deserving of her before having happiness again. They might have thrown in a subplot centering around their best friends too. That's the way Hollywood movies are. Thankfully there are no contrived plot points or useless characters thrown about here. It's a tight package. The finale is sad, but that does nothing to impact this foreign film I recommend to anyone with a sense of empathy.

Antoine's love for women is clear, something that began in his young days. He must have his hair cut by the plump woman hairdresser whose mere presence inspires awe and passion in the little boy. Getting close to her breasts is just pure ecstasy for him. He is the best groomed boy in his town thanks to the frequent visits he pays to have his hair cut.

When Antoine grows up, the old hairdresser has gone. In her place, the lovely Mathilde arrives. Antoine's first encounter with Mathilde is not exactly one that would endear himself to the young woman, who is lovely in a mysterious way that is music to him. Eventually, they marry and seem to live a good life until fate intervenes to separate them in a way Antoine didn't envisioned.

This lovely comedy directed with great charm by Patrice Leconte is a joy to watch. The director was lucky in engaging one of the best French film comedians, Jean Rochefort. As Antoine, he is the best thing in this tender story of love and loss. Anna Galiena who plays Mathilde is perfect. Both actors are amazing in the film.

"The Hairdresser's Husband" is an enjoyable love story that will please fans of Mr. Rochefort and Mr. Leconte.

I am a little at a loss of words to describe this small gem of a movie. It is very sensual, it is deeply moving, and it is very funny. As a small boy Antoine is asked by his father what he would like to be one day. He answers that he wants to marry a hairdresser ... and he does some fifty years later when he weds Mathilde. Their relationship is an ideal one: warm, affectionate, deeply loving. It brings out the very best in both of them. But Mathilde knows (fears?) that what goes up must come down...

The acting is superb. Very little is actually said but both Jean Rochefort and the Italian actress Anna Galiena speak with their bodies and above all with their faces, and their language surpasses that of words: their superb acting makes it appear easy for an audience to share their emotions and be elevated to similar heights and depths of feelings. If only all films would manipulate our emotions in such a subtle and gratifying way. First rate!

Male fantasies in the 90's were portrayed in cinema by either violent action packed flicks or lowbrow straight-to-VHS erotic movies. This movie aims higher and it is really a masterful effort in narrative and visuals.

Although the accusations of being a self-indulgent, pretentious and a confusing movie are right. I believe the movie's premise is too clever at the expense of the viewer's suspension of disbelief.

It's both a great and frustrating movie.

The user review from user Bob Pr. Written in 14 October 1999 nails this movie. So read it if you are confused (like I was).

this is actually what this movie is about: what happens when all your dreams come true and what you exprience every day is so incredibly beautiful and fulfilling that you fear even think of losing what you have. funny and touching, poetic and sad - this movie has this 'something special' about it that makes it unforgettable. great acting, one-of-the-kind story and beautiful cinematography combined with really unique, fairytale-like mood make this movie a genuine 10 out of 10.

The odeurs, the warm light, the caresses, the soft looks (and the music of course) makes you feel like discovering an unknown chapter of the Arabian Nights, even though we never leave the South of France.

Like in all fairy-tales time doesn't really mean much in this story ... untill it is too late and the world steps in, heart-stopping, mind-boggling; than the Hairdressers husband turns the cave of Ali Baba into his own pyramid, pushing us, the viewers, out. Tremendous Film !!

This was a very simple little movie that I liked until the abrupt and totally unnecessary ending to the film. It literally took the film from a score of 8 or 9 and lowered it to a 6 because it just destroyed much of what it had accomplished in a space of just a few minutes. I won't ruin it for the viewer, but have a hard time imagining anyone liking the way the movie ends.

The acting was very good and the story at times was VERY sensual and romantic--that's why it's such a shame the film de-rails so badly at the end. If this film were re-made with a better ending, I would gladly rush out to see it.

FYI--due to the sexuality in the movie, I would recommend this to adults.

Beautiful cinematography does not a good film make.

This film has wonderful cinematography and some really delightful scenes, but it is lacking in drama or any sort of real character archs. The relationship between Antoine and Mathilde is unreal and lacking substance. It's difficult to see what ties these two together at all, except for the way Antoine objectifies and idolizes Mathilde.

The film has a fairy tale quality, especially with the way the film is lit; with Mathilde looking positively heavenly and angelic, but in a hyperreal way. It succeeds in that we truly feel the fascination Antoine feels and the adoration he feels for female hairdressers but without the film moving into any sort of deeper level, the story fails to move the viewer. It stays on a superficial level and, if anything, the character of Antoine seems somewhat despicable, the way he objectifies these hairdressers. I feel the film could've been much more powerful if the director decided to dig deep into his characters' obsessions instead of creating a shallow homage to objectifying hairdressers.

But the cinematography was gorgeous, and the dance sequences were nice.

"The Hairdresser's Husband" shows a boy enraptured by his buxom female barber and then again as a middle-aged man who proposes to a beautiful barber during his first visit to her salon. The film goes on from there bathing itself in the couple's mutual gratification and the man's peculiar predilection for Eastern dancing while wandering ambiguously and playing out thematically with precious little story to be found. All in all, the film seems to be a testament to one man's obsession though it could well have been a boy's fantasy or the man's boyish imaginings. Not clear of purpose, this flick is simply beautiful and fun hedonism with narrow appeal from the less-is-more school of film making. Only for those into fatalistic French films and other artsy stuff. (B)

An old man has always dreamed of marrying a hairdresser. Although presumably he has lived a normal non-hermit life, the old man finally thinks of starting a real-life relationship with a young, shapely, lady hairdresser. He begins the effort by bluntly asking her to marry him. Of course, she says yes and now he can live out his life dream of watching a lady hairdresser cut hair in public, and then often touching her all over as she cuts other men's hair in moments her body is hidden from the view of the customers inside the shop. Once the hot towel covers the client's face, her panties are torn and fall on the floor. However, those who walk past the nearly all-glass store-front are sure to get an eye full.

This film is self-indulgent fantasy scene, after self-indulgent fantasy scene, after self-indulgent fantasy scene. This movie is pure unreal, fantastic self-indulgence!. As if! This is a good fantasy movie for dumpy old men with giant egos. It may be possible that President Clinton wrote this script.

"Le Mari de la coiffeuse" is also one of many French movies putting adult sexual lust in the minds of 7-year-old child characters. In French films, lust is for those under 10 or over 60. As if.

How anyone can give a negative review of this film is beyond me. It is a delight to watch from start to finish. It has everything, humour, drama and it is very moving. I have read reviews stating that the film is sexist; I'm sure these so- called 'critics' were watching a different film to me. It is a film about a man's pure love for a woman and if thats sexist, then beam me up Scotty! If you get a chance, please watch this film. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

I love this film probably because it seems to be the kind of movie that would never get made in the US. It not only seems to be foreign, it seems otherworldly. The musical interludes featuring the bizarre movements of Jean Rochefort are worth many repeat viewings. (I own a copy of this video.) The movie looks at obsession and the transitory nature of relationships in a bittersweet and magical way.

Surprising film about a female barber and her husband. The film is in the form of a fairytale and brings a tribute to the happiness of a monotonous existence. The monotony consists of reading gossip magazines and solving crosswords and is only interupted by the arrival of a customer, mostly of the extravagant kind.

Compare this with "The man who wasn't there" (2001, Joel & Ethan Coen). This film is also about the boring existence of a barber. This barber however does not cherish his monotony, but wants to break free (with disastrous consequences).

Alfred Hitchcock once said that film is just like real life with the boring periods cut out. There are few films paying tribute just to that boring periods (=regular life). "Le mari de la coiffeuse" is one of them.

Of course the exciting periods (= an extravagant client) are not cut out either, but you can feel that the main characters only find peace when they are together again.

Patrice Leconte is a director whose fame is mostly restricted to France. He has a predilection for strange story's and besides being a film director he also makes comic books. Both professions come together in the animation movie "Le magasin des suicides" (2012).

Being a Patrice Leconte-directed film, you know this is going to be nicely photographed with a lot of Sergio Leone-type facial closeups. I always appreciate that, and especially here when it is the beautiful face of Anna Galiena featured often. Some of the "portraits" of her in here would make magnificent paintings.

The story isn't much but it kept my interest in an odd way. The film had some strange scenes and some strange viewpoints on life, although I noticed much of the same secular and superstitious liberalness in many films from France. Unfortunately, that secular viewpoint can lead to tragic endings as is the case in this story which finished in a shocking manner.

However, there is some nice humor in this drama, too, such as the funny dance scenes by Jean Rochefort.

One thing about French films: they don't need a lot of action to keep your interest. They are wonderful storytellers and I usually enjoy their films, despite their odd philosophies on life.

Leconte has directed a ton of movies, and, in my opinion, three of them are extraordinary: Monsieur Hire, Girl on the Bridge, and The Hairdresser's Husband.

At first I think this film may a bit too pat. A bit too trite. But it stays with you and you think of it when you consider romance. At least, I do.

The performances are impeccable. The music and cinematography are grand.

It's just a beautiful movie, neither happy or sad, but real. I recommend everyone give it a watch. I saw it in the theatre when it came out and a few times since, and it's just a wonderful portrait of love. If you like this, check out Girl on a Bridge and Monsieur Hire.

Honestly, the movie had a few cute moments. The knitted trunks were the highlight. Sadly the rest of the arduous journey drowned any entertainment in sickly sweet aftershave. A wanna be Like Water for Chocolate or Amelie which never remotely reaches those lofty highs. Best watched on fast forward.

This film is an artistic, sensitive, and very sensual portrayal of two people who fall in love. Part of the joy is watching their clearly-etched characters mesh and blend. This is done so well that no one could believe they are lovers off screen. We ride along with them, and remember our feelings of longing for love, realizing love, and finally, hoping never to lose it. Some people are disappointed with the end, though for anyone who has ever been in love and finds that passion, completely realized, has no where to go but into sadness and loss, this movie works. When one has achieved perfect bliss, the only thing that can follow would be disappointment and, ultimately, death.

I would rate this as one of the top ten movies I have ever seen. It is a perfect little movie: a visual poem. Surprising, bittersweet. Heartbreaking and mysterious, Rocquefort's performance is masterful and secures his place as one of cinemas most expressive actors. The lead actress is lovely and perfectly cast; she does not hit a false note in her performance. The emotional pallet runs from hysterically funny to wistful to heart-rending. One of the great love stories that rewards multiple viewings. It never does what you expect it to. But when it turns you realize the choice was right on target. I rank it up there with My Life as a Dog and Cinema Paridiso. It is the type of movie that makes me fall in love with cinema all over again.

Banning this beautiful film for being unrealistic or unbelievable only shows how self-centered can American audiences be.

The fact that a mid-class French hairdresser commits suicide just because she is afraid to lose her present loving feeling should not be considered absurd, but instead should make all of us think how do we lose our own love day by day -doing nothing to prevent it.

And the way Jean Rochefort talks to the customer at the last scene is just so moving -oh well, you might say it's only an old mad Frenchman, but believe me, there is much more than that.

french movies... is it my impression or each one of them is better than the other?

i loved it when a 75 minute film can create such strong feelings to you what more can you say...

the pictures were so full you had to fall in love with the hairdresser... i am going for a haircut,next thing tomorrow morning!

what a movie!

if somebody wants to make a movie for the never-ending love,this is it and believe me, i have seen(and love) plenty of other films too

i think i am getting too sentimental...well, its not my fault...

Mr Leconte, thank you so much