A $2500 HAIRCUT

Well, those who are wondering what I mean when I say $2500 haircut , let me tell you that I am not talking about a high end saloon in Vegas . Nor is it the latest “Hair grafting” technique that would cost you a fortune.

Rather , “A  $2500 HAIRCUT ” is what speaks of the spirit of the movie “ THE AMERICAN PASTTIME”. The story is set in Utah desert, US during the time period of World war 2.

It is the story of around  8000 Japanese Americans who have been pushed out from their homes in the states , due to the rising angst of  American people against them owing to the American- Japanese  face off  in WW2.

These people are made to live in an internment camp in Utah desert area, under military surveillance.

 The  camp  has wooden shacks that are more like dormitories that gives no privacy to any individual or family.

What is inspirational is to see how these people take everything in their stride and start building their lives in the camp from the scratch. There are numerous moments  when you would feel that these guys are given short end of the stick just because they did not have “American Ancestors”. Unfair as it was, It was also a mistake as the heart and soul of these people was American to the core.

 The highlight of the story is how these Americans of Japanese descent redeem themselves from all the bias, hatred and suspicion directed towards them by the American authorities and people at large. And as I said redemption came in form of a “HAIR CUT”. (one of the best climaxes I have seen in a long time, must watch it) I am no cinematic expert or critic , but all I can say is that if you are game for a movie that is meaningful , motivating and emotionally arousing , then this is it.

I feel  it is all the more important to watch this movie in today’s time , that is because of the rapidly changing demographics of the new world where people from different cultural , religious, ethnic  backgrounds co-exist with each other. We can take a cue from this story and move one step forward in strengthening the idea of “ Universal Brotherhood ”.

It is time that we “ Stop thinking about the race with humans , and Start thinking about Human race.” – Me thinks.