Shampoo

In a role that plays to his playboy image, Warren Beatty, who co-scripted with Robert Towne (Chinatown), stars as George, a womanizing Beverly Hills hairdresser who just can't help himself where his female clients are concerned: they just look and smell "great." In addition to his girlfriend, Jill (Goldie Hawn), George is carrying on with the wife (Lee Grant) and mistress (Julie Christie) of a prominent local businessman (Jack Warden). And, at her infamous laconic request ('wanna fuck?'), George even has a quickie with the guy's teen daughter (Carrie Fisher). Directed by Hal Ashby (Being There), this smart and funny 1975 film offers an entertaining look at the swingin' tail end of the '60s upscale L.A. culture through a slyly anti-establishment prism. Presented with both full screen and widescreen versions, this release looks reasonably well-groomed, but includes as many 'extras' as an $8 haircut--not even a measly trailer! Still, it's a cut above many contemporary comedies. Recommended. (T. Rich) [Blu-ray/DVD Review—Oct. 16, 2018—Criterion, 110 min., R, DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1975’s Shampoo features a great transfer with an uncompressed monaural soundtrack or an alternate DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack on the Blu-ray release. Extras include a new conversation between critics Mark Harris and Frank Rich (31 min.), an excerpt from a 1998 appearance by star Warren Beatty on The South Bank Show (13 min.), and an essay by Rich. Bottom line: Hal Ashby’s ‘70s satire sparkles on Blu-ray.]