"Barbershop" reminds me of a film made long ago--"Carwash". The big difference is that "Barbershop" doesn't have the same very broad humor and, at times, has some interesting philosophical statements to make...along with the humor.

The film is about a barbershop in Chicago's South Side. If you aren't familiar with the area, it's a mostly Black neighborhood and this is a chance for a much wider audience to see this part of town. Few films are usually set here--as it lacks the glamor of places like L.A. and New York. So, it's nice to see it featured here.

The plot is pretty thin and it's mostly there to provide a backdrop for all the excellent characters in the film. This is not a complaint--it's just the style of the movie. Ice Cube runs the shop that was given to him after his father's death. It's been in the family for many years, but he just can't make a go of it. Yet, despite not making much money, it is a very important place in the neighborhood--a gathering place for folks to talk and renew friendships. When, out of desperation, he decides to sell the place, he doesn't know what to tell his customers...let alone his many employees.

The very large ensemble cast is quite good. They represent many different types within the community, such as the young man aspiring to get a college degree and leave, the white guy who seems to want to be black, the elder statesman among the barbers (Cederic the Entertainer),a sweet African man, and many others. At first, I found most of them to be rather one-dimensional, but over time they all revealed a greater depth than I thought possible in the movie--and I grew to like them and care for them. My favorite of them was Cederic, as he had so many funny, and occasionally insightful, lines. Interestingly, Cederic's tirade about Rosa Parks was actually correct in that quite a few others had done what she did on the bus. In 1854, Elizabeth Jennings Graham refused to give up her seat on a New York street-car and several others followed over the next century. But, fortunately, he was not the only one I really liked in the film--each had a chance to shine. Michael Ealy was also a standout--an excellent actor and and excellent character.

So is this film for everyone? Well, I wouldn't recommend it for kids or my mother-in-law, as the language is earthy (but real). But aside from this, it's an excellent film--whether you are black, white or green! As for me, I'm a middle-aged white guy, and although I am not in the target demographic category by any stretch, I really had a nice time watching the film. Good acting, great characters and exceptional writing make this a good bet. I just can't see why its current rating on IMDb is so low...it should be higher.

It's a day in the life of a barbershop on the south side of Chicago. Calvin Palmer, Jr. (Ice Cube) is struggling to find the money to keep open the shop inherited from his father. He sells the shop to greedy Lester Wallace (Keith David) who tricks him turning it into a strip club. Later he changes his mind. JD (Anthony Anderson) uses his cousin Ricky Nash (Michael Ealy)'s truck to steal the ATM across the street. Ricky Nash (Michael Ealy) is one of the barbers with 2 strikes. Terri Jones (Eve) is angry after finding her boyfriend with another woman. The shop is filled with crazy characters both barbers and customers. Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer) is an old-timer with no customers. Jimmy James is very particular about things. Isaac Rosenberg is the only white barber and Dinka is secretly in love with Terri.

This is a fun group of characters. There are some great comedians and a actors at work. There are some fun conversations and good comedy. Cedric the Entertainer has some great lines and gives the movie its heart. F Jesse Jackson! Anthony Anderson is quite funny in his side of the movie. He has many hilarious scenes and one with Lahmard Tate about $5. This is a terrific comedy with heart.

I don't get to see a nearly all black actor filled film, and this one wasn't too bad, from director Tim Story (Fantastic Four). Basically it is a day in the life of a barbershop on the south side of Chicago. Calvin Palmer (Ice Cube) inherited the struggling business from his deceased father, and with an ambition to do other things, he sells it local loan shark Lester Wallace (Keith David). Slowly though he realises his mistake, and Wallace instead of taking back his money wants double, so Calvin is pretty sure his barbershop will have to close its doors. He can either convince Wallace to forget the debt, or raise it, Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer) who has been there since it opened is determined Calvin can#t and won't sell it. There is also a slapstick filled subplot where J.D. (Anthony Anderson) has stolen a cash dispenser and is trying to find a good place to hide it, and before the end it ends up at the barbershop, where Calvin can collect a reward for returning it. Also starring Sean Patrick Thomas as Jimmy James, Eve as Terri Jones, Troy Garity as Isaac Rosenberg, Michael Ealy as Ricky Nash and Leonard Earl Howze as Dinka. The film is filled with black stereotypes, and there are moments where you really have to listen to understand what they are saying, but it amusing. Worth watching!