Watch The Beautician and the Beast

The Beautician and the Beast is a romantic comedy from 1997 that stars Fran Drescher as Joy Miller, a New York City beautician who is hired to teach etiquette to the children of a foreign dictator. Timothy Dalton plays her love interest, Boris Pochenko, the authoritarian ruler of Slovetzia, who initially clashes with Joy before discovering her teaching methods are working and they start to fall in love.

The film begins with Joy working in her salon in Queens, New York, where she uses her larger-than-life personality and sense of humor to connect with her clients. She dreams of becoming a hairstylist to the stars in Hollywood, but her plan is put on hold when she accidentally burns her most difficult client. In need of a new job, Joy applies for a position as a teacher at a local school, but is rejected. However, when she learns of an opportunity to teach the children of a foreign leader, she jumps at the chance to impress him.

Upon arriving in Slovetzia, Joy is met with culture shock as she finds herself in a country where the people are oppressed and the government is corrupt. She continues to maintain her carefree attitude and outspoken personality, which initially conflicts with the strict and authoritarian Boris. However, she soon discovers the children respond well to her unique teaching methods, which involve singing and dancing to lessons.

As Joy begins to gain the trust of the children and make positive changes in their lives, she also finds herself falling for the handsome Boris, who is initially resistant to her charms. However, as they spend more time together, it becomes clear that they have a genuine connection and a mutual respect for each other.

The film takes a lighthearted approach to the political climate in Slovetzia, and while it does touch on some serious issues, it never becomes heavy-handed. Instead the focus is on the comedic interplay between Joy, the children, and Boris. Drescher shines as Joy, bringing her signature wit and humor to the role. Dalton also proves to be a great leading man, playing Boris with a mix of sternness and vulnerability.

The supporting cast is also strong, with Ian McNeice providing comic relief as Boris' bumbling assistant, and Heather DeLoach standing out as Katrina, one of the young students Joy takes under her wing.

One of the film's strengths is its use of music, with several memorable musical numbers throughout the film. Drescher's own singing talent is showcased, and the songs add to the overall feel-good tone of the movie.

The Beautician and the Beast is a charming romantic comedy that showcases the talents of its leads and provides plenty of laughs along the way. While it may not be a groundbreaking film, it is an enjoyable escape that ultimately delivers on its promise of a happy ending.

The Beautician and the Beast is a 1997 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.