Some of us are fascinated with actors, actresses,
historical incidents and people, different countries and nature, then
there’s someone like Writer/Director Jennifer Arnold who’s fascinated
with the mullet haircut. I guess I can see the connection. This is
one of the oddest discs I’ve been sent in a while, but I’m not one to
pass something like this up either.
People in the US apparently have very strong
opinions about the mullet haircut, the reason someone gets one, what it
says about a person’s sexuality, what it says about the way they live
their life, what their education and income must be and a whole other
slew of absolutely ridiculous misconceptions. Sure, there are some very
colorful people out there who have these particular cuts, but there are
also doctors, music artists, engineers and other everyday people we
would term as “normal” who have them too. Is it a matter of style?
Personal choice? A statement? That’s what “American Mullet” attempts
to uncover.
The parents of children with mullets have opinions,
the hairstylists have theirs and those sporting the mullet look have the
final say. Is there any one conclusive reason given? No and that’s
where this documentary actually shines. There’s just enough humor and
craziness combined with the director’s actual interest in finding out
more about it that will keep viewers interested and watching.
Fortunately, it’s also only 52 minutes long, so it doesn’t really
overstay its welcome. Pretty much anything and everything one could
hope to learn about a mullet can be found here and the information tends
to come from those who would seem to be the most unlikeliest of sources.
Lions Gate has released “American Mullet” in an
extremely nice looking Full Screen transfer. For a documentary, the
picture quality is very good while the audio is equally professional.
As for extras, we’re given an additional 3 ¾ minute scene titled “Don’s
Cardboard Motorcycle”, the 5 ½ minute self-explanatory “Advanced Mullet
Cutting Technique”, a 1 ½ minute clip on the “Speedway”, a trailer, 6 ¼
minutes of Palm Springs Films trailers and some weblinks. Oddly enough,
I would have enjoyed a commentary on this disc just to hear what the
director thought of the piece, but that just wasn’t meant to be.
No matter what viewers take with them after
watching this, it’s going to be very difficult not going out in public
and actively looking for someone with a mullet and then chuckling a
little. I don’t mean chuckling in a bad way either, but rather
wondering if their reason for having it is similar to anyone from the
documentary. I’d never given a mullet much thought before and perhaps
many of us haven’t, but we will after watching this.
