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Documentary, Comedy  •  2009  •  96 min  •  Teen (13+)

Good Hair (2009)

Good Hair poster

Good Hair (2009)

Rating & Dimensions

Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Progressive
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
Family Values: Leans Traditional
Hinduism: Positive
Viewer Rating
7.5

Overview

Chris Rock made this 2009 documentary after his daughter asked why she didn't have 'good hair,' and the question turned into a feature-length look at Black hair culture, the chemical relaxer industry, weave economics, and the beauty standards that shaped them. The Progressive label follows from the film's central argument: that Eurocentric ideals have defined what 'good hair' means, at real cost to Black women's identity and wallets. A moderating pull comes from the film's frame, a father worrying about his daughter's self-esteem, which roots the critique in something recognizably traditional. The result is a documentary that critiques a system while feeling personal rather than polemical.

Starring Cast

Chris Rock  •   Maya Angelou  •   Al Sharpton

Where to watch

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Detailed Bias Analysis

Analyzing...
Progressive

Primary

Political: Strong Left
Confidence: Medium

The film's central thesis explicitly critiques systemic Eurocentric beauty standards and the economic exploitation within the Black hair industry, advocating for self-acceptance and cultural identity, which aligns with progressive ideology.

Diversity: High
Confidence: Medium

This documentary explores the cultural significance of hair within the Black community, featuring a cast that naturally reflects its subject matter. The narrative provides a strong and explicit critique of societal beauty standards and the pressures faced by Black women, centering on significant DEI themes.

Secondary

Family Values: Leans Traditional
Confidence: High

The film's narrative is framed by a father's concern for his daughter's self-esteem, highlighting parental love and responsibility within a traditional family context. It explores generational cultural practices related to hair, without critiquing or endorsing specific family structures beyond this parental focus.

Hinduism: Positive
Confidence: High

The film respectfully depicts Hindu devotees performing tonsure at temples as an act of religious devotion and sacrifice. The narrative explains the practice without judgment, focusing on its cultural and economic significance as the source of hair for weaves.

LGBTQ: N/A
Confidence: High

Good Hair is a documentary that explores the cultural significance of hair in the Black community, focusing on practices like relaxers and weaves, and the associated industry. The film does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes within its narrative. Its scope is centered on race, gender, and beauty standards related to hair.

Trans: N/A
Confidence: High

The film "Good Hair" is a documentary that explores the cultural, social, and economic significance of hair within the African American community. The narrative primarily focuses on the experiences of cisgender Black women, hair products, and styling practices. There are no identifiable transsexual characters or themes present within the documentary's scope or narrative.

Female Combat: N/R

The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.

Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High

The film is a documentary featuring real individuals, including celebrities and experts, discussing the cultural significance of hair. All participants are portrayed as their actual, documented gender, with no instances of fictional or historical figures being depicted with a different gender.

Race Swap: No
Confidence: High

Good Hair is a documentary film featuring real individuals, primarily within the African-American community, discussing hair culture. The film does not contain fictional characters adapted from source material or historical figures portrayed by actors of a different race. Individuals appear as themselves.

Viewer Rating Breakdown

7.5

Viewer Rating

Combines user and critic ratings from four sources

User Ratings

IMDB logo
6.9
The Movie Database logo
6.5

Critic Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes logo
9.4
Metacritic logo
7.2

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