Parents' Guide to

Barbershop

Movie PG-13 2002 102 minutes
Barbershop Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

By Nell Minow , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Engaging ensemble comedy has some salty language.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 13+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 12+

cool

fun ice cube film all characters show their purposes fun film
age 13+

13 and up.

Barbershop is a good comedy movie to watch but parents this movie has some mild comic violence some strong language used and some drug references.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (6 ):

This is an unassuming ensemble comedy with a surprisingly gentle and heartfelt center. It's impossible not to be charmed. As the day goes by, and Calvin's hopes for raising the money dim, he and the viewers are treated to the pleasures of such lively conversation that it makes you wish you could wander into the Barbershop and join in. Cedric the Entertainer plays Eddie, the irascible, seen-it-all-and-knows-it-all senior barber. Rap star Eve plays Terri, who seems equally upset over her cheating boyfriend and her missing apple juice. A college student (Sean Patrick Thomas) likes to show off his knowledge and brag about his plans for the future. A two-time loser named Ricky (Michael Ealy) has been given a chance at an honest job, but he is immediately suspected in the ATM theft. A Nigerian immigrant named Dinka is trying to learn his way (and let Terri know he likes her). And a white barber (Troy Garrity) is trying to be accepted by the black employees and customers.

Calvin sees that the barbershop is a place where people can find something to be proud of. He has given Ricky a chance at a job and he gives another young man a haircut to give him confidence for an important job interview. Ultimately, he learns that the barbershop is something he will want to pass on to his forthcoming child as it was passed on to him. It's great to see Ice Cube in a role that gives him a chance to show what a fine actor he has become. All of the performances in Barbershop are marvelous, with the give and take of the barbershop conversation playing like a series of great jazz riffs. The slapstick story of the ATM thieves is just a distraction (though it helps to tie things up at the end).

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