If only filmmakers can use their powers for good instead of on-screen evil. The Salon; a story about a hair shop owner who’s about to be closed by a big huge faceless company wanting to build a parking lot in its place.

Originally set for a 2005 release; The Salon unfortunately didn’t make the cut as did Beauty Shop which didn’t exactly move mountains as well. Nor did the barely out the starting gate Hair Show. The Salon was a waste of a budget and time. 

Vivica A. Fox stars a Jenny; a single mom who is doing ok at her shop. She has 8 great employees (Kim Whitley, Taral Hicks, Dondre Whitfield and Monica Calhoun) all of which have their own problems. However that isn’t the focus inside The Salon.

Unfortunately for the filmmaker the idea was great but came across poorly with a terrible backdrop of the community. The Salon itself didn’t support the theme of the film. In fact it looked quite older than most with its ashy staircase and 1800’s cash register. The shots fumbled to keep the story line intact. It’s as if the extra footage on the floor was recycled and deemed usable.

The subjects were in poor taste and reeked of Beauty and Barbershop. The typical white girl in a black women’s world was old and tired.  And the gay hairstylist was the worst comedy edition while poor Monica Calhoun (Brenda) who always plays the young girl in a bad situation opposite Terrence Howard ( Patrick) who filmmakers apparently couldn’t afford to keep in more than two scenes. The entire budget went to Vivica whose hair was dynamite but did nothing to hide the obvious pit stain that kept popping up on screen.

There is so little green lighting of African American films; even so one’s that make incredible movies. An immense cast of celebrities such as this film should at least have the opportunity to make a movie with substance. Unfortunately too many budgets are carrying poor content that makes blacks appear as bad actors. Even more so as once great actors taking minimal, C List work. It’s the responsibility of black filmmakers and writers to see that our stories are told well. This film failed to make that achievement.

On the good side no one was portrayed in a bad light. Even the prostitutes seemed to have character and were briefly used. The actors harassing the gay hairstylist (De’Angelo Wilson) didn’t beat him but egged him. And after it was duly noted they were gun toting thugs, their appearance showed otherwise and no firearms were present. The description of the decrepit neighborhood by Fox’ character didn’t match the middle class community.