For decades, the interior environment of a barbershop has been used as an iconic setting for film scenes. From messy slapstick to refined drama, the authentic nature and charm of barbering culture and traditional men’s grooming has an incredibly broad cinematic appeal.
Alongside this, the process and graceful nature of traditional wet shaving has also made for compelling viewing. No matter what the genre, grooming can always justify its relevance.
We’ve picked out some of our favourite grooming scenes from films that within their own context, relay the art of shaving and the significance of barbershops. This significance, of course is representing a place for a dapper gents to come and think, talk, relax, have fun, cherish, improve themselves, escape reality, ‘handle business’ or all of the above…
The Untouchables
This beautifully shot scene sees Robert De Niro’s character being pampered to within an inch of his life. Surrounded by reporters, one nick of the cheek fills the room with tension. Playing the tough guy, this is soon shrugged off and turned into a convenient analogy.
Wrestling Ernest Hemingway
As Robert Duvall compellingly takes over barbering duties for Richard Harris, we see these two men begin to form a friendship based on their dignified connection.
High Plains Drifter
Back when a shave and hot bath would set you back 90 cents, Clint Eastwood strikes fear into his barber with little more than a glance. Before the razor’s edge can even make contact with his face however, he is forced in to a quick and easy shootout. With his barber escaping from the scene, a wipe across the face sees the bearded Eastwood leave as he was.
Mississippi Burning
After a swift changeover in barbers, this client is left in a highly vulnerable position. Staring at a cut-throat blade against his face at the hands of an untrained man, it’s not long before he’s out of the chair and thrown around the whole room.
Key Largo
Johnny Rocco is the proud gangster receiving some treatment here. Asking for his shave ‘not too close’, he boasts about his precedence as his barber smoothly runs over his face with the cut-throat. It certainly takes a confident man to continue talking as the razor is in action.
Cosmopolis
Robert Pattinson sees his world turned upside down and inside out. All in the name of driving across Manhattan in order to get a haircut.
Eastern Promises
The opening scene of this movie sees a late trip to the barbers soon take a gruesome and gritty turn against the client in the chair. Wince away at your will.
Get Shorty
Not a single hair is actually touched in this scene. We simply witness a ‘business discussion’ between John Travolta and some associates in the fantastic traditional environent.
Sweeney Todd
Little needs to be said about this legendary character and his manner with a cut-throat razor. It’s tricky to look at one without taking a historic mental trip down Fleet Street.
Rio Bravo
Despite a look of concern from Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson provides a straight shave in vintage hollywood glory.
North By Northwest
Using the disguise of shave cream to cover his identity from police, Carey Grant is forced to shave with a miniature double edge razor as the gent stood next to him makes confident strides with his cut-throat.
Last Tango In Paris
Marlon Brando showing how it’s done in one of the most acclaimed shaving scenes for realism in film.
The Big Shave
A fear that every man can relate to is portrayed viciously in this Martin Scorsese short. Preparing to take the time to shave properly in his bathroom, this gent uses a double edge razor to sharpen up. All appears fine until a line of blood can be seen running down his cheek. Effective spatters soon begin to hit the sink’s rim whilst he continues to shave seemingly unfazed and allowing the blood to flow from every pore. This is the stuff that barber’s nightmares are made of.