JohnnyCNote

I can appreciate the fact that the Clash has many very loyal fans, but I always thought that reciting Marxist slogans was not entirely compatible with signing a contract with CBS. Leftist ideology tends to be critical of overtly exploitative corporate marketing schemes like Clash lunchboxes and jigsaw puzzles. T-shirts and posters are one thing, but this is more like the way they milk Star Wars for every penny they can. Of course, I don't expect, nor would ever even consider, trying to change anyone's opinions about them. Unfortunately, I've known too many people who take these things way too personally. They would probably not like this film...

If you've ever had any questions about combovers, this is the movie to see. Or, even if you've never given any thought to the subject, I'd still recommend it for its entertainment value. I'd disagree that it's at all mean spirited.

The entertainment is almost entirely from the interviewees, all of whom were very good-natured about their do's. Several had great senses of humor. I really only saw one case where anyone was "stalked". In the opening minutes, the producer pursued a man down the street in NYC, backing off when the guy threatened him with bodily harm.

There were two big surprises (not at all spoilers). One was the young man who deliberately shaves his head so that he can have a combover. I'd say the best word to describe him would be "individualist", or perhaps "eccentric" (in a positive way).

The other was the son of the man who actually patented the combover. I never would have guessed such a thing could even be patented. Judging from the man's home, it doesn't appear to have been the most lucrative patent one could hold.

If you get a chance, don't pass this one up!

Beyond that, it's scary - scary because there really are people like this, as abundant as ever, from one end of this great land to the other! As inframan noted, there's an element of Gummo in this movie. Not that it's as completely off the wall as that one is, but it's close. The alternately jazzy and rock and roll music sets the mood perfectly, and the black and white makes it hard to place this movie in a specific time period, adding to the overall sense of surreality.

What's incredible is that someone could think up something this crazy at all. It elevates the non sequitur to an art form. Watch for running gags surrounding "soiled" towels and sebaceous cysts. I give it an 8, primarily for originality....