Mary Kay Cosmetics founder Mary Kay Ash (Shirley MacLaine, well-cast) sees her empire challenged seriously for the first time with the Jinger Heath-fronted BeautiControl; but the new competitor, helmed by greedy upstarts, neglects to take into consideration the longevity in Mary Kay's cut-rate homilies and fiercely devoted sales-team, and the showdown begins. Jazzy, cynically-comic behind-the-scenes glimpse at big business--powder puff style--though the most interesting scenes are the more subtle ones in which Jinger Heath (the fabulous Parker Posey) is shown, unintentionally or not, aping her competitor's flossy social business style and manners, giving facile beauty tips with a beaming smile that belies an ignorance of the big picture. This TV-movie offers MacLaine in particular one of the best roles she's had in years; a cunning shark dolled up to look like an accidentally-on-purpose corporate czar, MacLaine nails this headstrong, stubborn lady who never lets anything slip passed her. The two leads (and Shannen Doherty as Mary Kay's most fervent saleswoman) approach this winking material with such moxie and self-assurance that it's a far more entertaining gossip-monger than it has any right to be. The handling is knowing and clever, but surface-cute. It scores points by not making the main ensemble out to be either saints or devils, yet its satire occasionally teeters toward self-parody.
Hell on Heels: The Battle of Mary Kay
(2002 TV Movie)
Wicked, but one-note comedic showdown
19 August 2007