Barbershop (PG-13, 2002)

The BARBERSHOP plays a central role in the life of the community; it's a place where people gather to exchange news and views and just enjoy one another's company. Under a lot of financial pressure, Calvin (Ice Cube), decides one day to sell his family's barbershop to the local loan shark. Though the loan shark promises to keep it the same, after the deal is done, Calvin learns the loan shark will keep it the same only on the outside. He plans to turn it into a "gentlemen's club." Calvin then spends the rest of the day trying to raise the money to buy it back. Meanwhile, two other guys from the neighborhood have stolen an ATM, and they spend their day hiding it from the police and trying to break it open.

Barbershop is an unassuming ensemble comedy with a surprisingly gentle and heartfelt center. It's impossible not to be charmed by it. 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 (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 that 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 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).