Hairspray Review
by Steve Rhodes (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)July 20th, 2007
HAIRSPRAY
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2007 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): *** 1/2
Wow, musicals sure can be a lot of fun. Okay, so our last trip to the musicals, the dismal DREAMGIRLS, was anything but enjoyable, as the songs were more like loud screaming than actual singing. HAIRSPRAY, on the other hand, is more like CHICAGO, another wonderful musical.
A remake of John Waters's 1988 film of the same name, HAIRSPRAY is also a Tony-winning Broadway musical. Most people who speak of this remake will probably start off by saying it stars John Travolta in drag in a fat suit, which it does, but to even talk about the movie that way diminishes its sweetness. It is such a delight and is much more than just one actor's stunt. Sure, Travolta is good and convincing, but the real stars of the show are the other actors, most especially newcomer Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad.
Tracy is short and fat and sings like an angel. Her hair gets her into trouble, including a detention for "inappropriate hair height," since it's so high that the boy behind her in class can't see the blackboard. The story concerns her desire to be on "The Corny Collins Show." Set in Baltimore in 1962, the TV show in question is a clone of "American Bandstand" and is based on a real-life show like it that Waters was on when he was a kid growing up in Baltimore.
Physically towering over everyone in the cast, Amanda Bynes (SHE'S THE MAN) plays Penny Pingleton, Tracy's best friend. Bynes, in pigtails, steals many a scene with some terrific eye work. She is given some lines to speak, but her character is mainly there for some delicious reaction shots.
The songs are great, as are the many dance numbers. My favorite was one of the simplest as Tracy's mom (Travolta) and dad (Christopher Walken) danced a series of whimsical numbers under the family's clothesline in their backyard.
One of the story's many subplots concerns Northern racism. The local television station where the "The Corny Collins Show" plays is managed by Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer). She runs a strict ship, which allows only sporadic "Negro Days" on the show. Most of the time, the kids on the show are all white.
Another subplot is about the upcoming crowning of the annual "Miss Teenage Hairspray." Mrs. von Tussle assumes that her daughter Amber (Brittany Snow) will win it again this year, but Tracy would appear to be a strong contender to upset the reigning champ. With blonde Amber's popularity and friends and with Mrs. von Tussle's control of the cameraman, surely Amber will win again. Or, maybe not. One thing is certain; you'll feel like a winner for having purchased a ticket to this little charmer of a production.
HAIRSPRAY runs 1:47. It is rated PG for "language, some suggestive content and momentary teen smoking" and would be acceptable for kids around 9 and up.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, July 20, 2007. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
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Email: Steve.Rhodes@InternetReviews.com
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