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It's a shame to read, as in today, that, the rating of this little classic masterpiece, that also happened to be one of the biggest box office smash's of the 1970's all over the World, has such a low grade scoring on IMDb! Explanation? Easy: lots of reviews from people who don't get LA, or Beverly Hills, most of all, lots, way too many, crazy, fool reviews from people literally "intoxicated" by the brutal Cinema of today, made only and with lots of money and useless subplots or science fictional sets: they do not even get that today we must use all that crap just to cover mostly up for what's so dramatically lacking: the force of genius, like in this great movie, or just a great script and solid actors, directed by a truly great director,with a vision! Shampoo is one of those movies that still speaks and widely to anyone! If you can listen,still, that is! A classic! The more you see it, the better you get it, and, it gets.. the more you understand its flawed characters, the melancholic subtext,the loneliness of a city like LA,where everything is dominated by money& superficiality,like looks.In LA someone good looking makes almost commercial asset out of it! Then they feel shallow and empty,and try to embrace spirituality to forget all the broken dreams! Or there're always drugs, handy. The lucky ones get married well,and, are unhappy anyways! Even lonelier than before! Not that LA is an awful town!We have got gorgeous woods,Oceanside,Hills with splendid views,sunshine, desert and Oasis, even Lakes.. We live quite healthy life styles (too bad we then use drugs to party and think we are still young..).. And, there's after all, some great architecture. People just don't know where to find it, but there is,actually! It is just the over all mentality,that kills every human feeling, that leaves you as drained as an old swimming pool! But,this sums up very well the all Country's mentality as well! In fact, LA is a melting pot, and,it is a place where you can invent and re-invent even the non existing: nobody wouldn't even ever know his/her limits, or at least, a little humbleness! They call you weak, if you're delicate and unassuming! If you even have had a 2 lines speaking role in a B movie, you must carry on yourself with an attitude: impress always, to get a little respect! Then what about all that sex? Yes, we do lots of it, because, sexual freedom aside, we are lonely, and, we always deceive ourselves.. We always wanna hope for something that's never going to be there.. looking for what's not really available! That is the true main philosophy! Back then as it is now! I think both Beatty's and Christie(she is truly divine here: unforgettable lines, incredible presence,strength,intellectual, glacial yet almost burning wit: her melting down party sequence, with that Iconic look and that unforgettable,trend setting,sequined black dress, she wears like a glove,almost like Marilyn wearing the Jean Louis's flesh gown to sing "Happy Birthday" to JFK,it is one of the most well known images of great, Classic US/Hollywood Cinema!). Goldie Hawn's a bit annoying, but truthful to her character,over all, while, the phenomenal Lee Grant and Jack Warden both shine in more classic representations of immortal LA classic characters! And, best work ever for both Carrie Fisher and Tony Bill,too! What can you say? With a script as clever and damned layered without bragging or going over useless extensions,as only the most vivid Robert Towne's job ever, could deliver,after or, along the lines, with"Chinatown",and,then, genius Hal Ashby,directing, with his personal, light, yet so unmatchable touch, Beatty,at its most powerful ever, producing and starring creating a sensation,opposite(again) an almost otherworldly Julie Christie and all the rest of the phenomenal players,What else needs to be said? Aside, from excellence, with no replay? How could you possibly beat this one up? Nobody can or could. Ever. And, especially, today! And, if you don't get it, i am sorry, you don't get true Cinema!
