Although they joke about his lack of activity, the young barbers treat Eddie with respect and gather attentively when he shows the proper technique in shaving a customer. Topics freely discussed in the shop include the need for black people to be truthful, opinions on reparation payments, Rosa Parks’ place in the Civil Rights movement and the nobility of the barber’s craft.
When Calvin comments about his father dying broke, Eddie reminds him of his father’s legacy of helping people and that riches don’t always come from money. Even the local convenience store owner helps Calvin learn about the influence of small actions. Women’s posteriors are also a frequent subject of discussion and one scene suggests a sexual affair. Two inept robbers, dealing with a stolen ATM machine, provide painful slapstick violence. Unfortunately, this urban tale with a moral comes with an abundance of crude language and suggestive comments. Although it may reflect current expressions, frequent vulgarities take the shine off “Barbershop.”