The Beautician and the Beast

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Beauty-school teacher Fran Drescher, basically reprising her television role in The Nanny, is whisked out of Queens and deposited in Eastern Europe after she is mistaken for a science teacher. Timothy Dalton is the gruff and stilted president for life she tames with mousse and kindness. Drescher, with that inimitable voice and colorful clothing, is very funny. It is not a far stretch to compare her favorably with Lucille Ball. The script, however, matches her bubbly humor with nothing but clunkiness. A mild diversion, this is one of many Hollywood comedies that works just fine on video. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews:

A MUST SEE MOVIE.......2007-04-19

Fran Drescher is a gifted, overlooked actress who shines in this "happily ever after" love story. This movie had my attention from beginning to end, without violence, profanity, or sex scenes! Imagine that!

Once upon a time............2007-03-28

..... Timothy Dalton played a little part called "Mr Rochester" in "Jane Eyre".

The day I saw that movie I vowed I would listen to him read the phone book and be happy.....

.... so what could be better than a movie starring our fav 007 and the baddest beautician who ever lived?!?! LOL

This movie is an absolute escape. I enjoy watching it for the comedy, and the incredible Mr. Dalton.

When do I get to be his massage therapist???

Like cotton candy..........2007-03-26

Though Fran Drescher probably won't win any Oscars in her lifetime this is one of those classic overlooked movies...sure, it's kitschy but in a good way.

Perfect movie for children of all ages it follows Fran into the world of royalty as she is tapped to be a children's tutor...full of fun, clever lines and cute characters.

More movies should be this light and sweet

Glam meets glasnost in spectacularly funny fashion!.......2007-01-09

When our local TV station broadcast "The Beautician and the Beast", I set the old VCR to record it, thinking that it would be an updated version of the old animated classic, "Beauty and the Beast".

Boy, was I surprised when I sat down to watch it - and most pleasantly so! I had always loved Fran Drescher in the TV sitcom "The Nanny" (although how's that voice?! Is that her natural speaking voice?), but was never too wild about Timothy Dalton as Bond. However, Dalton played the part of Boris Perchenko brilliantly. His public persona as this tinpot dictator-turned-democrat in the post-Iron Curtain era contrasts brillintly with that of recently-widowed father, who finds love in the unlikely form of his childrens' teacher, Joyce Miller (Drescher).

There are some brilliant comic moments. The envoy's hyperventilating gasps when he discovers that Drescher teaches beauty techniques rather than science defies the stereotypical USSR-era style of gathering information. Drescher's complete fearlessness when facing up to Dalton - can you imagine acting in this manner towards Stalin? Adding to this is the idea that simply clipping a moustache would chang a dictator's whole image - picture Hitler without his trademark lip covering? I don't think so!

There are also some tender moments for the tissue-brigade - Dalton tucking his children into bed is one example, as is the "prince in shining armour" scene at the end when Dalton comes over to America to whisk Drescher off in his arms, having completed the transition to democracy in his country.

Don't take the politics of the movie too seriously - after all, if Mikhail Gorbachov or FW de Klerk were confronted by a woman like Drescher during the time that the Soviet Union and South Africa were going through their reform processes, who knows how history could have turned out!!!

It's probably not classic comedy, but I enjoyed it enough to purchase it on DVD. It's good family fun (which is hard to find nowadays), and fans of "Down Periscope" (Kelsey Grammar / Lauren Holly) will enjoy it for its offbeat humour and fairly strong supporting charachers.

But if you disagree with me, "talk to the hand..."

fran drescher fan!.......2006-11-10

although it is close to the series, it still is a great movie and fran drescher is fantastic, and she always looks great.we need to have her in more romantic comedies.

Average customer rating:

A MUST SEE MOVIE
Once upon a time.....
Like cotton candy...
Glam meets glasnost in spectacularly funny fashion!
fran drescher fan!

The Beautician and the Beast [Region 2]
Starring: Fran Drescher , Timothy Dalton , Ian McNeice , Patrick Malahide , and Lisa Jakub
Director: Ken Kwapis
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000163WSK