Comic Jackie Hoffman made up as a witch for the new Joan Kron film
Jowls. A bulbous droopy schnoz. Eyelids that fold over themselves like Venetian blinds in need of a swift tug. Sun damage and age-related changes conspire against the wrinkle-free look of youth. Who over the age of 25 hasn't looked in the mirror and pondered, "What about a little tune-up?' Yet, in Western society, this conversation is usually a private one between our morning selves and the looking glass. Harking back to the Puritan days of Olde, we keep these musings secret. "Voldemort" is not the only "V word" that remains unspoken, the other is "Vanity."
Rosanne Barr tells Oprah about having her eyes done.
First time film maker Joan Kron has spent a career exploring this taboo topic in print. Despite perfectly good (and probably biological) reasons for wanting to look our best, the question remains: Why is plastic surgery so rarely discussed? As a writer and editor at Allure magazine, Kron found that film and television celebrities, some of whom have had a nip or tuck (or two), proved particularly mum on the subject. Except for one group: Comediennes. Rather than play coy about cosmetic treatments, women in comedy have not just created a dialogue about cosmetic procedures, but have put that discussion front and center in their standup routines.
Plastic surgery pioneer, Joan Rivers
Kron's new documentary is "Take My Nose, Please." An examination of aging for the ages, the film face-lifts the veil about going under the knife. Kron follows two funny femmes as they contemplate whether to take the procedural plunge. She also provides a hilarious recap of the history of celebrity plastic surgery with clips of Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Rosanne Barr and Margaret Cho, among many others.
Margaret Cho gives the skinny on beauty treatments
To top it all off, Skinema.com's own Dr. Vail Reese pops up periodically to provide pithy commentary.
After a successful debut at the Miami Film Festival, the flick's next stops are the San Luis Obispo Film Festival and The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival. More to come!
"Take My Nose, Please" A film by Joan Kron, official website.