The Hairdresser's Husband – DVD Review

Film, Reviews

hairdressershusbands

Normally when a fetish film is discussed, the conversation is filled with leather chaps, gags, blindfolds, crops and dog collars. Theres a lot of hardware and wardrobe stylistically lit on the screen. Theyre rarely described as date films; unless your special someone enjoys being led down the aisle in a leash and mask. A fetish film is rarely whimsical. The Hairdressers Husband breaks away from the conventions of the genre. It takes us into a mans desire without making us feel like were watching a dirty film.

Antoine (Jean Rochefort) is a man whose libido can only be excited by female hairdressers. As a youth, he came sexually of age while getting his hair trimmed by Madame Shaeffer. This is not a tale of a boy being molested by an older woman like a slimy Cinemax Afterdark production. The buxom hairdresser merely had her shirt slightly unbuttoned on a hot day and young Antoine saw her perfect roundness. It was completely innocent. The contact of her hands cutting his hair and his view of her chest imprints what he wants to love. She’s ruined him for other women. His relationship with Madame Shaeffer ends chaste. But he knows what matters most to him – hairdressers.

Years later he meets his dream girl when he enters a hairdressing shop run by Mathilde (Anna Galiena). She is perfection and a lot sexier than Madame Shaeffer. He can spend hours just watching her read magazines behind the front counter. He’s in pure bliss inside her shop. After a courtship that borders on stalking, the two share a haircut. Its a powerful moment of snipping. She agrees that the bond between them is too powerful. They rush into marriage. They do make an adorable couple. He cleans up while she snips away. He even helps as the shampoo boy. This is like a less insulting version of You Dont Mess with the Zohan. Theres an extremely erotic scene where Mathilde is working a customers head while Antoine kneels behind her and works her rump. Its hot without being too explicit. The ending of the film is swift and extremely French. Theres no need to spoil it.

The Hairdressers Husband is a slim French novel come to life. It has passion and heartbreak mixed carefully. The story lets us in on Antoines desires instead of mocking them. We dont view him as a freak with a penchant for a woman snipping away on his hair. Mathildes grace and beauty makes it easy to see why hed want to marry her off the bat. You dont let a woman like that stay on the counter too long. Patrice Leconte and his crew created a poignant tribute to a man who craved a love that played with scissors.

The video is 2.35:1 anamorphic. The transfers has that seaside glow with the sun coming in at just the right angle. The audio is a Dolby Surround Stereo track in French. The levels allow you to enjoy the quiet action with the Middle Eastern soundtrack. The subtitles are in English.

Leconte on Leconte Part 1 (36:14) is an interview with director Patrice Leconte. Theres spoilers in the chat so dont watch it until after viewing the film. He covers the first part of his career including the compelling Monsieur Hire. He addresses the fantasy element of The Hairdressers Husband. The conversation is in French with English subtitles.

The Hairdressers Recollections (17:41) is an interview with Anna Galiena. She recounts how after seeing Monsieur Hire and wanted to work with Laconte. She feared theres no chance to get cast since she was Italian and he made French movies. But they were destined to be together on the screen. To prepare for the film, she spent a month learning how to cut hair. She speaks English in the interview.

Theatrical Trailer (1:22) mesmerizes with the shot of Galiena perched behind the counter. This is how you tempt someone into a movie.

The Hairdressers Husband is a small, quiet film that lures you in with a charming fetish. The passion between Antoine and Mathilde sizzles in that small town on the French coast way. Theres is not a love youll find at SuperCuts. Make sure you pick up a copy of the DVD if youre a fan of international cinema.

………………………………………




Severin DVD presents The Hairdressers Husband. Directed by: Patrice Leconte. Written by: Claude Klotz & Patrice Leconte. Starring: Jean Rochefort and Anna Galiena. Running Time: 81 minutes. Released on DVD: April 28, 2009. Available at Amazon.com

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.