Vidal Sassoon: The Movie

Vidal Sassoon: The Movie is a riveting 2010 documentary chronicling the life of Vidal Sassoon, a renowned British-American hairstylist, businessman, and philanthropist. Directed with flair by Craig Teper, this film is vivacious and impressively in-depth, ultimately carving a detailed portrait of a man who evolved from a struggling London boy to an international hairstyling dynamo. Notable figures like Beverly Adams, Grace Coddington, and Elgin Charles appear in the movie lending more insight into the world Sassoon created.

At the heart of Vidal Sassoon: The Movie is the life story of Vidal Sassoon himself, a man who changed the face of hairstyling, bringing it to the forefront of the fashion industry. The movie charts his journey from the deprived streets of East London during the great depression to the glamorous salons of Beverly Hills, offering up an intricate and insightful portrayal of a man who revolutionized his industry. Sassoon's innovation was not just in hairstyling, but in his business acumen, using his brand to create a global empire that still exists today.

The film cleverly intertwines current interviews with Sassoon along with archival footage, giving credibility and vintage aesthetic to the narrative. Coming off as a vaguely Michael Apted-style documentary, director Craig Teper scrupulously and meticulously catalogues Sassoon's upbringing and how it impacted his later life. The personal and public aspects of Sassoon's life are intertwined exceptionally, ensuring that viewers are engaged and learn about this influential figure in an appealing, comprehensive manner.

Actress Beverly Adams, previously married to Sassoon, enlightens viewers about Sassoon's personality from a personal perspective. Having first-hand experience of the man off-camera, she brings a warm and intimate perspective about him, contributing to the in-depth understanding of Sassoon. At the same time, Elgin Charles, a prominent American hairstylist, discusses how Sassoon's work ethic and creativity influenced professionals alike in the hairdressing industry.

Grace Coddington, a former British model and creative director of Vogue, adds a unique viewpoint. With her signature charisma and depth for detail, she provides an insider look at how Sassoon's transformation of hair styles helped alter fashion and culture's perception towards hair in the high-fashion world. Her presence in the film, renowned in the high fashion industry, is essential. She helps people understand the significance of Sassoon's contribution to the fashion industry's evolution.

At its core, the film is educationally invaluable. It informs viewers about the intricacies involved in reinventing a styling career and creating an international brand name worthy of respect. Sassoon's rise coincided with the cultural revolutions of the 60s, linking his influence to the social changes taking place, framing his innovative hairstyles as signs of the times. Sassoon's work, focusing on wash-and-wear hairstyles, liberated women from extensive, troublesome hairstyling routines, allowing them more freedom with their hair. This contextual understanding illuminates how monumental Sassoon's contribution to the beauty and fashion industry was.

Craig Teper's film is adept at balancing the two concurrent stories – the cultural revolution that Sassoon helped ignite, and the personal journey of Sassoon - from an impoverished child in a Jewish orphanage to a knighted and globally successful entrepreneur. Without relying too much on the glitz and glamour of the fashion world or getting too entrenched in personal drama, the director maintains a delightful balance, ensuring that the main focus remains on Sassoon and his extraordinary journey in the hairdressing industry.

Vidal Sassoon: The Movie is more than just a documentary about a celebrity hairstylist. Instead, this insightful film is about a man whose influence transcends hairstyling, shaping the world of fashion and the very culture of the 20th century. It is a portrait of an individual who consistently defied expectations, breaking boundaries in an industry that had been resistant to change, and business-wise creating a model that many have tried to emulate since.

By turns funny, heart-warming, and inspiring, Vidal Sassoon: The Movie is a must-watch for anyone interested in fashion, entrepreneurship, or simply those fascinated by the journey of a compelling, iconic figure whose influence continues to be felt in our modern world.