The Beautician and the Beast
Tags: comedy, romantic

Plot synopsis:
An American beautician named Joy Miller (Fran Drescher) teaches students to groom hair, but is put out of business when one of her students accidentally ignites hair spray with his cigarette, eventually leading to the school burning down. Joy ends up being highlighted in a newspaper article after she helps her students and the caged animals escape the building successfully.
The article is seen by Ira Grushinsky (Ian McNeice), a diplomatic representative of a small Eastern European country called Slovetzia (bordered by Hungary, Romania, and Ukraine), a country she never heard of. Ira has been sent to the United States to find a tutor for the three children of Slovetzia's President, and, mistakenly thinking that Joy is an academic teacher, offers the job to her. Joy accepts, and it is only after they arrive in Slovetzia that Ira realizes his error. By then it is too late, and Joy agrees to keep up the ruse of being a "real" teacher for the time being.
The initial meeting of Joy with the President, a dictator named Boris Pochenko (Timothy Dalton), gets off on the wrong foot, but Joy gets along well with his four children Yuri, Katrina (Lisa Jakub), Karl (Adam LaVorgna), and Masha (Heather DeLoach). Joy teaches them of life outside Slovetzia and helps them gain confidence in themselves. Joy frequently clashes with Pochenko, who is disturbed by her fierce independence and the fact that he cannot frighten her.
Joy's presence in Slovetzia is due to Pochenko's desire to change his reputation among other Western nations as a "beast". His second-in-command, Leonid Kleist (Patrick Malahide) is against Pochenko's "softening" strategy, and wants to crush the growing rebellion among Slovetzia's youth. Joy eventually learns that Katrina is in love with Alek (Timothy Dowling), one of the leaders of the youth rebellion. Alek is captured by Pochenko, but Joy secretly helps Katrina sneak to his cell to see him.
A summit of visiting emissaries are arriving in Slovetzia to meet with Pochenko, and Joy convinces him that the best way to prove that he is a modern-thinking man would be to throw a party. Joy is put in charge of preparations, and during this time she and Pochenko grow closer.
On the evening of the dinner, Joy confesses that she is not an academic teacher, but by this time Pochenko does not care about her credentials, only that she has brought happiness to him and his family. Later, Leonid confronts Joy with the fact that she has been helping Katrina meet Alek. When this information is brought to Pochenko, he argues with Joy on her meddling, and Joy decides to leave Slovetzia for good.
Some months pass. Leonid has quietly taken over administrative duties and signing sentences in Pochenko's name. Pochenko, made aware of this fact by Ira, confronts Leonid and strips him of his duties. Pochenko realizes that he has spent many months depressed and discontent after Joy's leaving, and decides that it is time to change his ways.
The film's final scene shows Joy back at home with her parents. She has also been depressed after leaving Slovetzia, but then receives a surprise visit by Pochenko. The pair reconcile.

Review: Fran Drescher absolutely blew me away, I had no idea she was so talented -- in this movie she absolutely shines!!
Her character "Joy Miller" is the Nanny all over again...but this time she has been hired (mistakenly) to teach the four children of a eastern-European dictator.
She has amazing comic timing and plays well of off co-star Timothy Dalton, who is a wonderful President of Slovetzia, the tiny (made-up) country that most of the movie takes place in.
The plot is a mixture of "The Sound of Music," "The King and I," "Beauty and the Beast," and a kind of twisted Cinderella...but it all meshes together for an endearing (though very predictable) movie.
A change from Tim Dalton's usual dramatic/spy movie genre...who knew he could be so funny?
But he is, and the movie is adorable and I would highly recommend this if your a fan of Fran Drescher, Tim Dalton or romantic comedies in general!!.
I have never enjoyed The Nanny, but I'm a fan of Timothy Dalton.
It seems inconceivable that any casting director thought to put these two actors together, but, by some warped cosmic thing, it kind of worked in this movie.
I don't care if Timothy Dalton has a shitty accent in this movie.
I love a movie, where I can put my brain on stand by and just enjoy it.
What's not to like about this movie that is charming, cute, innocent, and funny??
Fran Drescher may have been type-casted right off the Nanny, but who cares!!???!!
What did you expect her to act like in the film!?!
I had no expectations for this movie (nor should anyone have) besides a good laugh.
Fran is absolutely perfect for the role of Joy Miller and she is even more charming and funny in this movie than Sandra Bullock is in Miss Congeniality (another great movie by all accounts, and I'm not downing the always fantastic Sandra).
Fran Drescher Shines Like Daylight in an Otherwise Clichéd Rom-Com.
'The Beautician and the Beast' follows the line of the immensely 'The Sound of Music' and Drescher's own popular sitcom 'The Nanny'.
Her character is no different from her unique persona as Nanny's Fran Fine but even so, her wit, charisma and comic timing are perfect.
Those who find her annoying in 'The Nanny' would most likely hate this movie but for me, this actress makes it somewhat likable.
Timothy Dalton as the beautician (just kidding) is quite adequate (his fake accent is hilarious) and both actors share a good chemistry.
The acting's pretty average, there seem to be so many plots going on at the same time, but it still makes for an entertaining and interesting watch, if only to see the Nanny in her first major big-screen role.
She brings the trademark we know so well to the movie - her nasal voice and pre-occupation with the trivial stuff, but she also brings a kind of sensitivity we've never seen before in the Nanny series.I quite like some of the scenes - how she teaches the kids what she knows (airline miles), the massage scene, the home-coming, and a lot of others that just seem to be made just for her..
I think that Fran Drescher was really lovable in this movie and Timothy Dalton, for once, seemed to take on a somewhat light-hearted role..
Timothy Dalton was fantastic in his role, and made me laugh a number of times.
The film did begin to lose momentum as Timothy Dalton became less beast-ly and the film is about half an hour too long, but those are really the only bad points.
NBC doesn't show "Law & Order" at 8:00 (or 7:00 if you're in Mississippi like me).Nitpickiness aside, when I heard that she was doing a movie titled "The Beautician and the Beast," I was quite skeptical.
Granted, the movie is VERY dated (for the most part, Communism is dead), quite predictable (can you say "The Nanny?") and can get downright stupid (what's with the chicken?).But it can also be funny, like when Joy, Fran's character, gets the workers to strike, in the tradition of Norma Rae, thus angering Boris Pochenko, played adequately by Timothy Dalton.
And, without giving anything away, I thought the begining was really cute as well.Not to mention that I was really impressed with a scene near the end of the film where she stands up to Boris.
That may explain how she got a part in a Woody Allen movie, even if it's a bit part.This film isn't for everybody, especially if you're put off by Fran's voice.
While *I* think she's funny (like I said before), I believe her humor is too raunchy for family entertainment.
I also like Fran Dresscher in "The Nanny".
A lot of people like this show.) Once in a while I like to watch light, fun, mindless movies.
I suppose this all pretty well explains why I enjoyed "The Beautician and the Beast".Fran plays almost the same familiar role, except instead of Mr Sheffield we have President-for-Life Pochenko of Slovetzia (Tim Dalton).
I watched the film on TV in Croatia, so I don't think they mind.I see this movie is rated rather poorly here on IMDb.com.
If you like "The Nanny", you'll enjoy this movie too..
Fran showed more depth of character and independence in this movie than she did (or was allowed to do) in her TV series.
Timothy Dalton was OK as the Beast, but it was Fran's movie, and he might have been graciously stepping out of her way..
Fran and Timothy play their parts well and look like they're having a ball..
Joy Miller (Fran Drescher) is a night school hair instructor in the New York City area.
It just so happens that a minister from the eastern European country of Slovetzia is looking for a teacher for the ruler's children and he hires Joy, not realizing that she teaches cosmetology alone.
This darling little film will please both fans of romantic comedy and those who love Drescher.
I give this movie a 10 because of the tremendous amount of comedy within the dialog, matched with the comic timing skillfully done by Dalton and Drescher.
Especially when Boris (Dalton) speaks in bad sounding English and Joy (Drescher) mimics him.
Fran is also in her element, because in a movie such as this (vs the sitcom 'the Nanny') she gets a chance to show us her serious side--and she is as believable as when she's zinging those classic comic one-liners.
By the by--if you get to watch this movie on DVD, Fran's commentary is a stream of extra laughs!.
I don't know about "Beauty and the Beast", or "The Kng and I", but I thought the movie was a take off on "The Sound Of Music" another movie I love to watch.
"She was there to sell make-up, but the Eastern European dictator saw more.""She had style, she had flair, she was there - that's when she became - the teacher!"Exactly the same sort of "Miss Fine!!" situations.I haven't seen the whole thing, but I'm assuming that he'll tell her he loves her, and then will take it back.
I am Timothy Dalton's self declared #1 fan - and I adore Fran Drescher.
When this movie came out I looked SO forward to seeing it as it was a film that was going to allow TImothy to show everyone else how funny he can be and what a multi-dimensional actor he is.
They are wonderful!Life is so full of stress, sadness, loss, tragedy now, more light hearted, comedic movies like this are needed sandwiched in to take us away and be entertained in fantasyland for a while.
There are a few close calls, so to speak (that are hilarious)There is a very lovable chicken in the movie, a surprisingly fine little actor herself, very cute ~ with some adorable scenes.
Its touching, worrisome at times...and cute, I swear she gets the most precious "expressions".-With all due respect and targeting no one in particular, it seems in our world today many people have become so jaded they can't enjoy a great, light hearted hilarious romantic comedy that is CLEAN, without calling it "cheesy" or "corny".
People have just gotten so much more afraid to show emotion and care for each other and we need more of that and perhaps more movies like this would unconsciously encourage it.Timothy is at his usual flawless best, playing both "sides" of: the ill tempered dictator, whose ego seems large enough to have its own zip code you can't get to from here; and who thinks things are just hunky dory with "his people", but are they?; to his other self -the gorgeously handsome man,with that deep sexy voice, which is more apparent when he isn't yelling or fussing about something.(And I HAVE to say he is handsome both with mustache and sans mustache).
I think the movie is written very well, and when he first starts to become- challenged by Joy Miller's lessons for HIM, and goes out amongst "his people" - well, just wait and see-its truly a priceless, clueless "moment" for him, (We get to watch him as Tim pulls the cluelessness of this guy off SO well, chest puffed up, strutting, smiling and waving as if he does it every day...) And quite a shock for "the people".Fran is terrific and gorgeous too, and I think the pairing of those two was sheer genius and they make a beautiful couple in heart, spirit, and yes,look.
I know I was jealous of lucky Fran AND the "mythical couple" and it took me away to that place all women who love romantic stories love to go - where YOU are the female lead character!This is a GREAT MOVIE AND ITS NOT JUST A "CHICK FLICK" EITHER, GUYS - if you like comedy I recommend it to you also and there IS Fran.
Fran Drescher has her fans coming from The Nanny.
The plot is a blended mixture of The King and I, The Sound of Music, The Beauty and the Beast, The Nanny,etc., all following the proved successful formula of routine entertainment for masses.
A typical USA yarn showing how easy things can be solved in movies when some naive good looking Brooklyn girl strikes the heart of a stupid foreign dictator.
After looking at some of the scores people gave this movie I honestly didn't think it would amount to much.
Fran Drescher plays "Joy Miller" who is a beautician in New York City.
Timothy Dalton is "Boris Pochenko", a brutal tyrant of a small Eastern European country (Slovetzia) who has mistakenly hired Joy to teach his four children.
I also liked the way she and Timothy Dalton worked so well together.
In closing, I thought this was a thoroughly enjoyable movie and well worth the time spent..
Actually, this is a pretty harmless way of spending an hour and a bit if you can accept that this is basically a vehicle for Fran Dreschler, and that, presumably, she has some fans in America who both like her and know who she is.Dreschler plays a beautician who gets mistaken for the new tutor of an eastern European dictator and ends up importing consumerism and the American way of life by stealth to the previously contented communist kingdom of Slovetzia.
I was full of compassion when I saw how poor Mr. Dalton had to act against Ms. Drescher, who seems to be unable to show (we better don&#180;t use the word "acting" here)anything else than "Nanny Fine", or better: herself.
It comes near to heroism, when I imagine that Mr. Dalton had to stand close besides when Ms. Drescher opened her mouth, and THIS VOICE came out.
Although I could have changed the language of my DVD to german, because Ms. Drescher&#180;s german voice is not half the drama than her own, but I felt a kind of paralyzed, like in a horror film, when you know that it&#180;s not to stand but you can&#180;t close your eyes.
This kissing-scene with Ms. Drescher: It was obviously hard to act this scene, because it looked like he wanted to be on north pole this moment.
Fran Drescher and Timothy Dalton play opposites so well..
I have never been able to watch Fran Drescher for any length of time.
All in all, I enjoyed the movie and would recommend it for anyone who would like a pleasant diversion and not be forced to think a lot..
Fran Drescher was not at her best, and Timothy Dalton's performance was substandard, though given the script he had to work with, it probably wasn't his fault.
All in all, it was worth watching if you are a Timothy Dalton fan, or you like a romantic comedy.
I could actually go lower but it is hard to believe that there are actually efforts in cinematography that are much worse than Fran Drescher in her over played nanny role.
When I seen this move I started to like Fran Dresher.
her sit-com the nanny is also a good one but this movie is so funny.
This is like one of the worst movies I ever wached.
But this movie was just The Nanny set in Eastern Europe.
I liked Timothy Dalton's character because it was a different look at him.
The character was gruff but he played him a comic twist which he looked like he enjoyed.
I would like to see Fran Dresicher in something besides The Nanny especially since the series in now over..
Although i love Fran Drecsher as an actress, she should have never been cast as Joy Miller..
Fran Drescher showed some extremely good acting......okay, it might be a bad movie, but she is possibly the nicest, light-hearted  person to watch.
Fran Drescher and Timothy Dalton star in this 1997 romance comedy.
Joy Miller (Drescher) is a beautician from New York who is soon hired to help an Eastern European Dictator, Boris Pochenko (Dalton) with his children.
I've always liked this film and Fran and Timothy have good chemistry.
For six years, Fran Drescher made some people cringe but many laugh with her deliciously nasal accent as Fran Fine, the hairdresser who turned to selling beauty products and ended up becoming the nanny to the three children of a successful and dashing widowed Broadway producer.
Charles Shaugnessy was always charming and commanding as the somewhat stuffy Maxwell Sheffield, but in his place here, we have Timothy Dalton as the widowed dictator like president of a tiny Russian like country who has four children who are in desperate need of help since their father tends to neglect them.
A massage scene with Drescher and Dalton is very similar to a gag on "The Nanny" when Fran, posing as a nurse, had to "shave" Mr. Sheffield.
I have only watched five minutes of the pilot episode of the nanny, as well as the closing minutes of a number of episodes and have decided that I don't particularly like it.
The Beautician and the Beast is basically the Nanny made into a movie, with a few things altered.
The movie is quite funny in parts but a really do not think much of Fran Dresure (sp?), especially how I heard the comment that her character in this movie is exactly the same as her character in the nanny.This movie makes numerous assumptions about 'decadent American society' in which it destroys.
Rather it attacks the eastern European dictatorship and makes America look like a wonderful place.
The promiscuous American is destroyed with Fran's character: she is not interested in guys until the right one comes along, and it is obvious that it was going to be Pochenko (Timothy Dalton), and as the movie draws to the close the idealistic Hollywood ideal of love is emphasised in the most sickening way.The movie blatantly has a go at how these communist nations allegedly altered history to suit themselves.
Yet Fran is extremely cynical about democratic politicians as she quotes "they're politicians, you can't trust them." Beautician and the Beast is really a remake of Sound of Music with the music replaced with comedy.
Beautician & the Beast-Nanny Goes to Eastern Europe **1/2.
Fran Drescher, as nasal as ever, is mistaken for a science teacher and is whisked off to an East European country to instruct the 4 children of widower dictator Timothy Dalton.This is definitely a ripoff of the television series The Nanny.
He learns about life from Drescher and the two are finding love until a political situation threatens to end all that.The film is routine in nature.To paraphrase the song from the television show:She was a beautician in the borough of Queens.Until a fire broke out in one of those crushing scenes.What was she to do, where was she to go, she was not working?So to Eastern Europe she flew when she was thought to be a teacher.
WRONG!BRR,it still gives me the chills thinking back of it.Everything about this movie sucks:the acting,the story,everything!First of all the acting:Fran Drescher is probably one of the most annoying people ever and not only because of that nagging voice.She just can't act!
And they probably chose her for the role since she did nothing more in that terrible sitcom "The Nanny" and maybe cause she should be beautiful.(NOT!) Timothy Dalton then.Not a bad actor,yet in this movie he puts on an accent that makes no sense at all.It always freaks me out that those Hollywood movies use those over the top accents for Russians or Germans or whatever.It is quite insulting to the natives of those countries,if you ask me.The story is even worse,cause there actually ain't any!
The Beautician and the Beast (1997): Dir: Ken Kwapis / Cast: Fran Drescher, Timothy Dalton, Ian McNiece, Lisa Jakob, Patrick Malahide: Formula satire settling for someone who brings beauty to another.
Fran Drescher stars as a beautician mistaken for a science teacher and she is spirited to London.