Customer Reviews

The Big Tease

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found this film very amusing Craig Ferguson is very quick witted and just funny in the true sense of the word. I watch his late show on CBS, own most of his other films and I recommend his books as well. I really don't know why the critics hated The Big Tease it made me laugh and that's what it was meant to do.

Terrific cast, gentle silliness. Craig Ferguson is wonderfully absurd and Donal Logue is his usual entertaining self in a supporting part. If you liked Saving Grace or The Tao of Steve, this is a great little movie at a great price.

Not a stellar production by any stretch, this mockumentary still gets my top vote.

It's a fun, (almost) realistic romp through a Hollywood-wannabe life. Crawford is very convincing as a Scottish hairstylist who makes the mistake of thinking that he is a participant for a "Platinum Hairoff" competition in LA, when he was only one of the 100 lucky draw viewers selected at random.

Mayhem ensues and he is smitten by the idea of the trophy and wishes to steamroll his way into the contest come rain or shine. This includes a very funny cameo by (the usually safe bet) Frances Fisher, plus guest appearances from some big stars.

The documentary style cut may require a couple of scenes to get used to, but stick with it. The film has its moments. Predictable in the end, but so are some of the best movies. It's the message of self-worth and persistence that makes it worthwhile.

Interesting feel-good low-budget effort. Recommended rental for a light one and half hours.

My initial desire is to compare the movie to Best In Breed, with is another satriacal pseudo-documentary. Big Tease is far more refined and fluid. This movie has everything: great editing, funny writing, and splendid locations.

The execution is just perfect Though none of the character actors are recognizable A-list names, but the timing and delivery is better than perfect. The movie is chock-full of hilarious scenes and memorable lines. Almost every scene ends in a laugh-out-loud funny line.

There aren't any distracting details which linger, and that's a problem for Best in Breed. The plot arc moves smoothly, and the jokes don't get in the way. Neither does the humor preclude your interest in the success of the characters as they work against their antagonists and challenges.

The sound is rich and well-edited, and the picture and photography is perfect--though somtimes a bit dark for the comparable scenes and subject. This is an absolutel must-see movie; it is one of the funniest movies I've seen in recent memory.

The Big Tease could have been a small, cute, but not particularly memorable film that's good for an evening at home but soon forgotten.
Well, I'm not saying its The Godfather or anything, but it's really remarkably well made, with a wonderfully endearing lead performance by Craig Ferguson, and some hilarious and quirky supporting work by David Langham as the BBC documentary maker, and Frances Fisher as Candy, the Hollywood agent who more or less adopts our hero, Crawford Mackenzie.
The script sparkles with humour, and if nothing else, its worth seeing the film for the hilarious hair competition at the end.

This creative film within a film, a mock documentary, is simply delightful. Funny and original, it is a biting satire on the Beverly Hills/Hollywood power circuit. In the process, it tells the wonderful story of Crawford MacKenzie, a popular and talented gay hairdresser from Glasgow, Scotland, who believes himself to be invited to represent Scotland in a prestigious hairdressing competition, the Platinum Scissors, to be held in Los Angeles, California. When he arrives, complete with a BBC film crew filming his every move as part of a feature documentary they are making of Crawford's participation in the competition, Crawford discovers that he misread the letter. He is strictly to be a member of the audience and is told so in no uncertain terms by the patronizing director of the competition, who has sized up Crawford as a nobody.

This does not deter Crawford from trying to be allowed to compete, as he definitely is not the kind of person who takes no for an answer. Crawford, charmingly played by the ever talented Craig Ferguson, pulls every trick in the book and ingratiates himself with Sean Connery's publicist, wonderfully played by Frances Fisher, who manages to open some doors for him. Along the way, he is snubbed by some Beverly Hills/Hollywood power types, including one of the competitors, an obnoxious Norwegian named Stig, who was the prior year's Platinum Scissors champion, played to perfection by David Rashe.

Still, the ever nice Crawford remains undaunted, and what he does to get into the competition is funny, especially when he starts fighting fire with fire. In a short time, Crawford becomes a force with whom to be reckoned, and he finally gets his dearest wish and is allowed to compete. The competition itself is hysterical and will amaze and delight the viewer. This little known film is an absolute gem. Craig Ferguson's performance makes the character of Crawford MacKenzie totally endearing, and the supporting cast is, likewise, terrific. There are also a number of marvelous cameos, including Drew Carey playing himself. All in all, a bloody good show!

OK, so I rented this not knowing what it was...and I've rented it 3 more times since. It's hysterical! The writing, the editing, the story, the acting, the cast...it's all great. Each time I see it, I see something new. I challenge you to see this and not end up laughing out loud - and quoting lines afterward!

This film is razor-sharp portrayal of glitzy soulless Beverly Hills in the style of a spoof documentary. The plot itself is just about as ridiculous as Beverly Hills can get. Crawford McKenzie is a good-humored gay hairdresser from Scotland who is led to believe he has been invited to participate in THE most prestigious hair design show in LA. When he finds out that he was only invited as part of the audience his illusions are shattered. Our talented hero comes from a place where he believes "helping and healing" are all part of the trade. He is outraged to find that the hairdressing trade in LA just doesn't care. Old world meets new world in a hilarious farce on the theme of lies, power, corruption and coloring gel. If you happen to be Scottish, and have spent anytime in Southern California then this film is a must see. Likewise, if you happen to live in America and have spent any time in Glasgow then this movie is likely to have you thinking about revisiting. I certainly am!

Movie snobs don't bother--you have way too many rules for this fun little movie. I picked up The Big Tease never having heard of it so I was a bit confused at first by the documentary style. Luckily my husband (a major Drew Carey fan) recognized Craig Ferguson and I stopped trying to figure out what was happening and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. The character Crawford Mackenzie is so likeable that the convoluted plot is irrelevant. There is something fresh and fun about the flick that elevates it above the slapstick and predictable laughs that plague many more commercial movies.

Don't go in to this expecting a movie that will change your life, or will impress all your friends, but if you go with the zany fun spirit with which this movie is intended you'll thoroughly enjoy yourself. What I loved the most about the movie is that, even though he faced some serious setbacks, Crawford McKenzie, never gives up his hope and optimism. Craig Ferguson gives a delightful performance, zipping out great one liners throughout the movie, which few people are clever enough to catch. "Marina del Rey. I once new a drag queen named Marina del Rey!" I also loved the way that Hollywood looks in this movie. A big Touristy dump. No glamour, little glitter. Great fun, see it if you get the chance.