JoeKulik Review of Bernice Bobs Her Hair

Bernice Bobs Her Hair (1976 TV Movie)

A Well Executed Period Piece.

[10/10 · 1 September 2015]

Joan Macklin Silver's Bernice Bobs Her Hair (1976) is a very effective dramatic presentation. The period settings, costumes, and artifacts are splendid. The acting by the whole cast is very effective, convincingly portraying the antics of a young group of well to do friends, within the constraints of 1920's social conceptions of "propriety and decorum". Shelley Duvall in the lead role as Bernice gives an exceptionally strong, and convincing portrayal of a young woman who decides to update the socially staid demeanor of her conservative upbringing, to keep in step with a more modern, more free spirited social demeanor. Her portrayal of the subtle personality changes of her character was quite believable, belying a mastery of the acting craft. The cinematography was rather good too, in spite of the rather poor picture quality of the film, perhaps due to dated recording technology. The vibrant colors of the sets shined through, nonetheless. I never read the literary work from which this film was adapted but nonetheless this film stands quite well on its own merits as a cinematic production.