THE BIG TEASE
US/UK, 1999, 87 minutes, Colour.
Craig Ferguson, Frances Fisher, Mary Mc Cormack, Donald Logue, Larry Miller, Charles Napier, Nina Siemaszko, David Rasche, Chris Langham.
Directed by Kevin Allen.
The Big Tease is a comedy about hairdressers (a similar-themed film set in Yorkshire was made in 2000, Blow Dry). This time the focus is Scotland, a Glasgow hairdresser is invited to a championship in Los Angeles. Disturbed to find that he is only an observer, he determines not only to enter the competition but to win - which, of course, he does.
The film is a star vehicle for Craig Ferguson who appeared in such films as Saving Grace, Born romantic and the Charlotte Church vehicle, I'll Be There. There is an amusing performance by Chris Langham as a documentary film-maker, following the hairdresser around. Frances Fisher is the American lead with support from Mary Mc Cormack and comic Larry Miller.
The film was directed by Kevin Allen who had made the rather anarchic Twin Town. Later he made the sequel to the Agent Cody Banks family comedy.
1. An entertaining film? Scotland in the US? The parody of Scotland, the parody of the United States? Strongly targeted - or gentle satire?
2. The Glasgow settings, the hairdresser's shop, the families, the documentary film-maker and his getting an authentic atmosphere? The comparison with the United States, the glamour of Los Angeles? The hairdressers' competition, the affluent life? The comparison between Scotland and the United States? Musical score?
3. The title, its ironies? As applied to Crawford Mc Kenzie - and as to hairdressing?
4. Craig Ferguson and his comic style as Crawford Mc Kenzie, seeing him at work in Glasgow, the details of his life in the documentary? His excitement at the invitation? His going to the United States, his observing of life in the US? The discovery that he was not in competition? His wanting to be in competition, the Hollywood agent, his doing up her hair, her reaction, getting him membership in the Hairdressers' Guild? The celebrities and the introductions, Crawford enjoying it? The meeting with the senator, persuading him that he should be allowed to compete? His preparing his entry, the humour of the Flower of Scotland? The competition, the competitors, his winning? His triumph? His return home?
5. The world of hairdressers, in Scotland, in the United States, competition, the competitors, the outlandish styles? The models, doing their work, exhibiting, the competition?
6. Candy Harper, the agent, her drab appearance, her interest in Crawford, allowing herself to get a haircut, styled? Her change of heart, working hard for him, the introductions, guild membership, the senator, the victory?
7. Monique, her relationship with Crawford, an American with a Scotsman?
8. The comic characters: the hotel manager, Dunstan Cactus? The senator and his approach to the competition? The fund co-ordinator? Stig Ludwigssen and his organising of the competition? His standards?
9. The guest celebrities: David Hasselhoff, Drew Carey, Cathy Lee Crosby, Bruce Jenner?
10. The contrast with life back in Scotland, Crawford's mother, his friends, associates?
11. Crawford's final speech, his victory - a touch of sentiment, a touch of pride? The tone of this film and its quality?
