Queen Latifah has the dream of owning a "Beauty Shop" in this 2005 film that also stars Kevin Bacon, Alfre Woodward, Alicia Silverstone, Mena Suvari, Andie MacDowell, Della Reese, Keisha Knight Pulliman and Bryce Wilson. Latifah plays a widow with a young daughter who makes her living as a hairdresser for a pretentious phony (Bacon). When she's finally had enough of his bad attitude, she quits and manages to get a small loan from a bank to start her own shop. She takes some clients and workers with her and gradually builds up her clientèle and keeps going despite setbacks.

There's not much to this story; it's the acting and the characterizations that make it enjoyable. Queen Latifah is a warm, natural actress and as the cast list indicates, she's surrounded by some top people. Woodward, a great actress, is very funny as Ms. Josephine, and Sherri Shepherd gives an energetic performance as Ida. But everyone is good, though Alicia Silverstone is over the top with her Southern accent. Andie MacDowell and Mena Suvari do good jobs as upper class clients, MacDowell as someone who hasn't forgotten her down home roots, and Suvari as a self-absorbed, nasty woman. Della Reese makes a brief appearance, which isn't enough. Kevin Bacon sports long hair with highlights and a German accent. He's a Eurotrash riot. The other men in the cast are total hunks - instead of the women being chosen for their looks, it's the guys! An entertaining, charming film.

Queen Latifah opens a beauty shop after her big argument with her boss.

Latifah is kind, intelligent but just plain out of luck.

Kevin Bacon steals the film in his role as the gay boss with a thick German accent. Wearing his blond wig, Bacon is hilarious in a performance that should have been considered for best supporting actor.

The women and man hairstylist have a comment for everything and everyone but the film just seems to meander about.

The writers should have remained focused on Latifah's relationship with the evil Bacon, who conspires with the State Board to ruin her after she takes business away from him.

An aging Della Reese has a wasted one scene role as a high class woman entering the shop. Miss Reese was offered few lines and disappears rapidly.

Alfre Woodard, as one of the stylists, is effective in her common talk but no nonsense approach.

Gina, an immensely talented beautician, is stuck in Jorge's shop. Her clients adore her, as she does wonders with their hair and their egos. A beauty shop is the social place where women go, not only to have their hair taken care of, but also is where a lot of drama happens when divas don't have their way.

Jorge, the phony man who owns the exclusive Atlanta salon, feels threatened by the talented Gina, who he sees as a threat; he ends up firing her. Gina doesn't take anything sitting down. She envisions having her own place and will not stop until she finds it. When she takes over a salon that has seen better days, she starts putting her input into what she wants the place to be. Some of her old customers follow her.

Not everything is easy for Gina. It appears that Jorge is behind the scenes trying to do anything to derail Gina's business. But never fear, Gina is up to the task and she is a formidable foe, so don't mess around with her.

This comedy, directed by Bille Woodruff, capitalizes on Queen Latifah's charismatic personality. She is sassy, she has common sense and if anyone can make a place like Gina's work, it's this huge talent that is the main reason for watching the movie. Kevin Bacon also has some hysterical moments as Jorge. He is a riot when he shakes his corn rows when he is in a snit. Alfre Woodard, Andie MacDowell, Mena Suvari, Djimon Hounsou, Alicia Silverstone, and Keisha Knight Pulliam, of the old "Bill Cosby Show" do their best to keep the pace of the comedy going.

Ultimately, this is Queen Latifah's show. Enjoy it!