Of Mullets and Men

Like most people, every time I see Tom Hanks lately, I can't help but ask myself, "What's up with his hair?"
During his opening monologue on Saturday Night Live this month, Hanks was asked this very question by an "audience member". Before seeing The Da Vinci Code, I was worried the 'do would distract me for the entire film.

Peter Hartlaub of the San Francisco Chronicle has written a delightful article on the subject, based on the theory that Hanks's cut is a mullet or some close derivation thereof. Also, props to Hartlaub for pointing out that Kyle McLachlan is sporting a very similar coif, which I feel looks equally horrible on him as it does on Hanks.

This is saying something, as MacLachlan would generally be regarded as a more handsome man than Hanks, and even he can't pull of the bad hair. Let's compare, shall we?

Handsome:

Not Handsome:

Handsome:

Not Handsome:

Amusing as it is, I'm not so sure I buy the mullet conspiracy, at least with regard to Hanks. While he seems to be growing it out a bit more (as seen in the above photo), the screen captures available from The Da Vinci Code paint another picture of the haircut. I don't think it's as long in the back as Hartlaub would have us believe. CBC's Alison Gillmor dubs the 'do and "academic mullet", but I have never seen a university professor with hair like this. Even those one likes to think somewhat hip tend to keep their mane under control. Nevertheless, something is happening here that should not be ignored. Perhaps it's a less common aspect of the male mid-life crisis - both Hanks and MacLachlan are creeping up on 50. If this is the case, we can look forward to an eventual trimming of the locks. In the meantime, I call upon the men of Hollywood and the world to look upon the hairstyles of misters Hanks and MacLachlan and learn from this experience.