Beauty Shop

Spinning off from the "Barbershop" series, familiar tale of female empowerment succeeds, thanks to Queen Latifah's classy, charismatic lead performance. Beautician Gina moves to Atlanta, landing a job working for pretentious upscale salon owner Jorge (Bacon). Frustrated with Jorge's lack of respect, Gina opens her own beauty shop in a working-class black neighborhood, gathering a group of good-natured, eccentric stylists like outspoken Ms. Josephine (Woodard) and clueless white girl Lynn (Silverstone). All of the community pride themes from the "Barbershop" movies are touched on here, but "Beauty" distinguishes itself with genuine characters. Bacon and Suvari are exceptions, choosing instead to go ridiculously broad.