Le mari de la coiffeuse

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!

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.

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 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.

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.