‘Well Groomed’ Shines An Endearing Light On An Odd Subculture Of Outsider Art [SXSW Review]

Dogs will always be great movie material. Whether you’re a steadfast arthouse fanatic or stick strictly to Marvel flicks, dogs embody the connective link between every human heart. Seriously, how can you not smile when you see puppy eyes and wagging tails? An intrinsic magic exists within the connection between mankind and canines, and although “creative grooming” are not two words typically associated with this relationship, “Well Groomed” seeks to change your perception, or simply introduce you, to the world of competitive creative dog grooming.

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Yes, you read that right— competitive creative dog grooming is something that actually exists on the planet Earth. As outlandish as it may appear initially, the reality of this subculture is arguably more bizarre when examined from the viewpoint of Rebecca Stern’s documentary. The film follows four women immersed within the creative grooming industry: Adriane Pope (the zealous underdog), Angela Kumpe (the renowned veteran), Nicole Beckman (the eccentric newbie), and Cat Opson (the prize winner). Each of these women offers their own specialized perspectives on the profession, all of which contribute to one of the most genuinely entertaining documentaries to premiere in quite some time.

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As the audience follows the four groomers on their respective journeys to Hershey, Pennsylvania—the location that hosts the largest dog grooming competition in the world—the portrait of each woman’s persona evolves into a relatively well-defined whole. Of the four women, Pope and Beckman stand out as the most engaging, especially since the documentary dedicates most of its runtime to highlight Pope’s endeavors. Due to creative grooming existing on the outliers of society, the input that each groomer offers in support of their passion lessens the oddity, but increases the appeal, which ultimately leads to an empathetic understanding.

Notably, Pope and Beckman exist on opposite sides of a shared spectrum. While Pope is driven by an admirable obsession, Beckman views grooming as an artistic outlet. This thought-provoking contrast serves as the foundation buried at the core of the competitive dog grooming subculture; the ideology of earnest competition placed against personal expression functions as an intriguing theme that adds weight to the reasonably charming passivity of “Well Groomed.”

Remarkably, the element that heightens the film’s enjoyability is its pure-hearted nature. Even at its darkest moments, “Well Groomed” never lingers too long on sorrow to knock the movie off-course. Moreover, while the subject matter of creative grooming encompasses enough oddball characteristics to float on its own, the documentary wisely opts to focus on the personalities of the groomers.

Visually speaking, “Well Groomed” flaunts prismatic, gorgeously composed camerawork, leaving viewers anxiously anticipating to arrive at each expo to witness the colorfully gonzo grooming designs that await. From “Jurassic Park” to “Alice in Wonderland,” the sheer amount of creativity and effort involved in molding, cutting, and crafting a dog’s fur to fit these downright weird styles is as impressive as it is slightly off-putting.

Interestingly enough, the topic of animal rights only surfaces in a brief montage of news clips. Although the purpose “Well Groomed” lies in its genuine appreciation of creative grooming, the decision to skim over this relatively significant matter detracts from any lasting impression that a sharper-edged segment would have provided. Similarly, pacing sometimes undermines a holistic portrait of each groomer, which subsequently adds to an occasionally jarring sense of scene transition.

Conversely, the documentary’s emotional conclusion imparts a well-earned, surprisingly emotional hurrah; one that will likely topple most narrative features released in 2019. Any inkling of enjoyment that “Well Groomed” offers rests in its decision to promote fun above all else. Creative grooming, as distasteful as it might be to some, is inarguably endearing, and the commitment of these four women rolls off the screen in waves, indoctrinating viewers in the beauty of creative expression.

Respectably, the film holds no shame in promoting what creative groomers accomplish as a form of art, and for all unusual intents and puzzling purposes, it succeeds; the pure delight of witnessing such fervor poured into a pastime is heartwarming. “Well Groomed” is not revolutionary cinema by any means, but it certainly is enjoyable; and sometimes, an adorable documentary about competitive creative dog grooming is exactly what you need. [B+]

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