The Rewatchables ‘Shampoo’ With Bill Simmons, Cameron Crowe, and Sean Fennessey
Dec 9, 2025
Cameron Crowe, acclaimed writer-director of films like Almost Famous, joins Bill Simmons and Sean Fennessey to explore the classic film Shampoo. He shares a deep love for the movie's music and cultural significance in the late '60s. The trio analyzes Warren Beatty's captivating performance and its intertwining with real-world politics. Crowe draws parallels between Shampoo's emotional nuances and his own work. Listeners are treated to intriguing set anecdotes and discussions about the casting brilliance of Goldie Hawn and Julie Christie.
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Hybrid Movie That Hides Its Depth
- Shampoo blends sex comedy, political commentary, and generational drama into one uncommon, watchable pop movie.
- The film disguises deep themes under humor, music, and star persona to capture late‑60s cultural complexity.
Why Cameron Crowe Picked Shampoo
- Cameron picked Shampoo because of its music, interwoven characters, and its sense of a new filmmaking generation.
- He revisited it repeatedly and felt it influenced his tastes and later work.
Politics As Ambient Context
- Shampoo treats political events (Nixon, Vietnam, Watergate) as background texture, not lecture.
- The movie shows how personal indulgence and national crises coexist in ordinary life.
