Shampoo

Shampoo

Year: 1975

Runtime: 109 min

Language: English

Director: Hal Ashby

DramaComedy

In the midst of the 1970s, Beverly Hills hairstylist George Roundy juggles a thriving business with a reputation as a charming womanizer. Seeking financial assistance to expand his salon, he turns to wealthy client Felicia. However, his pursuit of money and desire complicates his relationships with several women, leading to a series of romantic entanglements and potential ruin for his burgeoning empire.

Shampoo (1975) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Shampoo (1975) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In sun‑splashed Beverly Hills of the early 1970s, the world of beauty and excess collides in a kaleidoscope of color, music, and ambition. The city’s storefront salons are as much stages as they are workplaces, where the latest coiffure can be a ticket to influence. Amidst this glittering backdrop, George Roundy runs a thriving hair‑care empire, his charismatic swagger making him as famous for his conversation as for his scissors.

George’s allure extends far beyond his chair; he navigates a social circuit that includes a roster of striking women. Felicia, a wealthy client whose money could fund a grand new salon, embodies the promise of financial security, while Jill, a naïve up‑and‑coming actress and George’s girlfriend, offers a glimpse of tenderness he seldom allows himself. Adding another layer, Jackie—an old flame and close confidante of Jill—remains a tangled thread in his romantic tapestry, her presence hinting at both history and unresolved desire.

Behind the glossy veneer, George feels the pressure of an unsteady partnership with Norman, the salon’s penny‑pinching owner who controls the very space that has made him a local legend. The tension between creative freedom and corporate restriction fuels George’s determination to break away and open his own boutique, a dream that could elevate his status but also threatens the delicate balance of his personal life. The promise of wealth, fame, and independence draws him into a precarious dance with those who could either lift him higher or pull him under.

The film captures a tone that is equal parts satire and sensuality, painting the era’s hedonism with a wry, observant eye. As George flits between ambition and affection, the viewer is invited to linger on the glossy surface while sensing the undercurrents of longing, rivalry, and the ever‑present question of whether charm can truly sustain a dream without cost.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 18:16

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Charismatic downfall stories like in Shampoo

Watch charming protagonists sabotage their own lives through hedonism and bad choices.Movies like Shampoo that feature charming but self-destructive protagonists. If you enjoyed watching George Roundy's web of lies unravel, you'll appreciate these similar stories about charismatic antiheroes facing the consequences of their hedonistic choices.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative centers on a charismatic individual, often an antihero, who navigates a glamorous or high-stakes world. Their initial success, built on charm and manipulation, is gradually undermined by their own moral compromises, infidelities, or addictions, culminating in a downfall that exposes the emptiness of their pursuits.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a specific character archetype: the charming but deeply flawed individual. They share a bittersweet or satirical tone, a steady pace that builds towards inevitable consequences, and a thematic exploration of ambition, desire, and personal failure.

Era-specific social satires similar to Shampoo

Sharp comedies that use a specific historical moment to critique social mores and hypocrisy.If you liked Shampoo's sharp take on 1970s Beverly Hills, explore these similar movies. This thread features satirical comedies and dramas that use a specific historical era to critique social climbing, infidelity, and the moral ambiguities of their time.

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Narrative Summary

Stories unfold within a meticulously rendered historical era, where the social and political climate directly influences the characters' actions. The plot often involves romantic entanglements, social climbing, and a clash between personal desire and public morality, all viewed through a witty and cynical lens.

Why These Movies?

These films are linked by their function as social satires deeply embedded in a specific time. They share a witty, cynical mood, a steady pacing that allows for social observation, and a thematic focus on the gaps between public ideals and private behavior during periods of significant cultural change.

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Shampoo Summary

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Shampoo Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Shampoo

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Shampoo

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