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The big tease

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

I saw. I combed. I conquered.

Scottish hairdresser Crawford Mackenzie (Craig Ferguson), Glasgow's finest, has come to compete in a land where fashion is queen and the perfect do will make you king.

The World Freestyle Hairdressing Championship is soon to take place in Los Angeles and Crawford has received what he thinks is an invitation to compete for the prestigious Platinum Scissors Award. So, jubilantly and proudly he heads west, scissors and comb in hand and a British documentary crew in tow.

After arriving in sunny Southern California, the plucky Scot finds that he was invited by WHIF (World International Hairdressing Federation) merely as a guest to observe the competition. WHIF, trying to make up for the misunderstanding, offers Crawford a front row seat, but the hairdresser will not be assuaged; in finest Scottish tradition, it's either place in the competition or go down cutting, moussing and blowing dry.

Theatrical propaganda posters

Target demographic movie keyword propaganda

Film comedy mockumentary hair dresser championship

Persons of interest

Craig Ferguson .... Crawford Mackenzie
Chris Langham .... Martin Samuels
David Rasche .... Stig
Frances Fisher .... Candy
Mary McCormack .... Monique
Donal Logue .... Eamonn
Isabella Aitken .... Mrs Beasie Mackenzie
Kevin Allen .... Gareth Trundle
Angela McCluskey .... Senga Magoogan
Francine York .... Elegant Woman
Sacha Gervasi .... Screenwriter
Craig Ferguson .... Screenwriter
Kevin Allen .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

The big tease official movie site
Studios and distributors:

Warner Bros * Roadshow Films

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

Hairdressers. What would the world do without them?

Rather well, probably, but that's not the point of the film. The big tease is a mockumentary in the vein of This is Spinal Tap, focussing on one loser's aspirations rather than four's. Being British rather than American there's far less out of which to take the piss, but they do go to the USA so there's lots at which to take shots. Also, hairdressers are inherently piss-takable so that makes for some fun viewing. Do you have to be in the industry to exercise the old laughing gear? No, not at all. If you've ever been to a hairdresser, or, the goddess forbid, worked in The Industry, then you'll be able to appreciate it more, but that's always the way with parodies, isn't it?

Also in the sights of the filmmakers is the Hollywood schmooze. Hollywood is the one place in the world where schmoozing has risen beyond a mere art form to an actual lifestyle. It's a place where a good café can make or break a million dollar deal. It's a place where films like Commandments and Volcano can be made without anyone ever reading a script. Talk about shooting fish in a barrel.

Craig Ferguson does both the hairdresser and the kilted Scots pouf very well. Whether or not he's either is irrelevant, just as long as he does them well. Frances Fisher' agent from Hell (one of those people who know absolutely everyone) has just the right balance of nous, chutzpah and insecurity. David Rasche takes the cake as Stig, the international hairdressing icon: if he were any more of a bitch he'd be in politics.

Whether you're laughing with them or at them, the folk from The big tease will have you cheering for Crawford right to the hair-raising finale. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Security censorship classification

M (Low level coarse language, sexual references)

Surveillance time

83 minutes (1:23 hours)

Not for public release in Australia before date

VHS rental: 4 July 2000