The Barber (2002) Reviews

• Fun in the dark!

  DarkAnnie2004-10-12

  I bought the DVD of this movie for five bucks at Fred Meyer. Honestly, I thought it was going to suck. I only bought it because it stars Malcolm McDowell, and I'd watch that man read the phone book. Big surprise! The Barber is delightful! It's filled with dark humor, wit, and some really terrific visual jokes. Oh yeah, and grisly murders, too. Malcolm McDowell is fantastic, as usual. He alternately downplays the character and chews the scenery. The rest of the cast is good as well. The chief of police is excellent as he slowly comes unhinged. The dim but sweet Jules was another of my favorites. Sure, there are technical problems. It's a low-budget flick, and they could have used a continuity editor. But so what? The movie is great fun. Watch it on a dark, cold night. And I'm not just saying this because Malcolm McDowell makes my horns pointy.

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• A close shave, please!

  jotix1002006-02-20

  Something is happening in the small Alaskan town where a woman is found dead in the snow. Right after she is discovered, the FBI gets into the case because it ties up with other killings in the Northwest. The town is about to celebrate Christmas, but it won't be a happy time for anyone because suddenly other young women are killed, as well. Michael Bafaro's, "The Barber", shows some interesting aspects as a mystery movie. Although our attention is immediately drawn toward the most obvious person, something that the local police enforcers, or even the FBI overlook. In fact the film seems to be telling us the assassin is getting away with murder, because the one responsible eludes being trapped. The film is watchable because of the work of Malcom McDowell in the film. He is an interesting actor to watch at work. Mr. McDowell is always a welcome addition to any film, as he proves in this one. Jeremy Ratchford is also an asset playing the police chief. The FBI agent discovers something murky in his past that might implicate him in the murders. The bleak winter of that remote town in Alaska is captured in the film with good results by Mr. Bafaro and his crew. While this film doesn't break new ground, it will keep the viewer involved in the story.

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• Technical flaws mar movie

  lulu-32004-09-14

  This is a spoiler of certain aspects of the plot. At the risk of repeating another's observations, numerous technical flaws plagued this movie to the point that it was just not possible to suspend belief. In the opening scene, the two hunters kill the mountain in broad daylight and discover the first body; yet in the the rest of the movie "daytime" is in perpetual darkness. If this is indeed far northern Alaska in the "dead of winter" why are they running around in cowboy hats, no parkas, no gloves? We dress warmer than that in Missouri and it seldom gets into single digits. A town of 200 would not likely have its own police force because it would not have enough tax base to support one. It would likely be served by a county sheriff or state police -- and it certainly would not have a medical examiner. The FBI would not be called in on the case -- no jurisdiction. The character gets shot in the back at close range with the shotgun, which causes his shirt to tear in the front. Yet when he is shown on the autopsy table, his chest is wound-free. A shotgun blast that close would have made hamburger of his chest.

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• Not what I expected...

  Unassuming Local Guy2003-01-08

  The cover photo of this DVD does just about everything to convince you that it's another entry into the slasher genre (ie: Scream, Urban Legend, The Dentist, et al.), but the first few minutes of the movie quickly dispel this notion. Unlike most of these types of movies, we're introduced almost instantly to the murderer and his cover. Through the wonders of voice-over narration, we get some quick insight into this guy's feelings on life and society. But not too much... While it's really no big deal, the man's history and motivation for the killings is never revealed. The movie starts out looking like a psychological thriller, but quickly becomes a by-the-numbers serial killer flick as the local cops and Feds are put through their paces, performing autopsies, arrests, and the inevitable territorial disputes. But, thank God, the killer doesn't spout off one-liners. In fact, the murders themselves are not witnessed. The fact that everyone in this film's small town is stupid, deceitful, or just plain trash should make citizens of Alaska very happy. Some excuse is made as to how the six month periods of darkness dull the senses or something, but we know that's not the case. No, somebody involved in this movie has a serious problem with Alaskans. Anyway, the movie stays pretty low key until the end, when things finally reach a boiling point. The ending should be most unexpected. And while the last monologue offers up plenty of ham and cheese, I have to say I was really hoping Dex would be caught. That's a lot more than I've ever felt for Hannibal Lecter.

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• Lynch Influences

  Socrates-7772006-02-13

  Everyone looks for the perfect film and thinks if they do not find it there is nothing worth while. That is why I really enjoy...if not love this film! I need not say anything about Malcolm since his acting and career speaks for itself, but also consider that the films he chooses are not necessarily main stream, but possess some merit(considering his 147 IMDb acting entries). This film made me think of an Insomnia (foreign or domestic) meets David Lynch (Twin Peaks of course), or the other way around depending on which influenced you first. I can't but wonder if all those things criticized about this film were intentional. The quirky nature of each character, for example, due to effects of S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder - http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/27.cfm), provide the canvas for the film to unfold onto. This is the one of few reviews I have written, even though I personally own over 1500 films (not that it really means anything or that I have seen them all)! I just felt that someone needed to speak up for the misunderstood. If you spent the time to actually read my comments I thank you for your time, whether you enjoy this film or not. If you have not seen the film, I would like to say it would be worth your while, but this is the kind of film you have to experience for yourself and see how it suits you.

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