Good Hair
Chris Rock turns a search for “good hair” into a funny, probing examination of Black beauty standards, self-image, and the global economics of hair.
Overview
A hilarious and insightful exploration of beauty standards in the Black community.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- provocative
- informative
- thoughtful movie night
- cultural discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film funny, informative, and provocative in its exploration of the complex relationship between African Americans and their hair.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Chris Rock interviews Black women and cultural commentators about how styling, relaxers, and weaves shape self-image and communal expectations.
The inquiry moves from expensive weaves and salons to Indian hair suppliers while asking who profits from the American market.
Chris Rock combines jokes, provocative interviews, and factual investigation while addressing chemical relaxers, beauty standards, and race.
Maya Angelou, Tracie Thoms, Nia Long, Ice-T, salon participants, and other interviewees offer contrasting perspectives on Black hair.
Films like Good Hair, and why
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
shares a comic documentary approach to Black identity, culture, and social institutions
Super Size Me
combines observational documentary inquiry with humor and critique of consumer culture
The Beauty Academy of Kabul
explores beauty standards, race, and self-image through personal testimony and cultural analysis
Bowling for Columbine
uses an accessible, personality-driven documentary format to investigate a complex social issue
Movie Details
- Director
- Jeff Stilson
- Release Date
- 2009-10-09
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (109)
Cast
- Maya Angelou
- Chris Rock
- Nia Long
- Vanessa Bell Calloway
- Ice-T
- Tanya Crumel
- Kevin Kirk
- Derek J
- Freddie J
- Jason Griggers
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Good Hair about?
- Chris Rock turns a search for “good hair” into a funny, probing examination of Black beauty standards, self-image, and the global economics of hair.
- What is Good Hair like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Good Hair as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Good Hair violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Good Hair.
- What did critics think of Good Hair?
- Critics broadly found the film funny, informative, and provocative in its exploration of the complex relationship between African Americans and their hair.
- Which films are like Good Hair?
- Films with a similar feel include The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, Super Size Me, The Beauty Academy of Kabul, and Bowling for Columbine.
- How long is Good Hair?
- Good Hair runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Good Hair?
- In United States, Good Hair is available to rent or buy from Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
