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Run, do not walk to see Hairspray, the dazzling and exuberant 2007 film version of the Broadway musical based on the 1988 cult classic directed by John Waters that introduced Rikki Lake to the world.
This is the story of Tracy Turnblad, a wide-eyed and pleasingly plump high schooler growing up in Baltimore in the racially turbulent 1960's who finally realizes her dream of being a dancer on her favorite TV show, THE CORNY COLLINS SHOW,an "American Bandstand" type music show that extols the virtues of being young and white in America in the 60's.
One day a month, the show has what they call "Negro Day" where they feature exclusively black artists and black dancers. Tracy's innocent remark that she "wishes every day was Negro Day" makes her a surprising but willing symbol for the civil rights movement in 1960's Baltimore.
Director Adam Shankman has expanded the Broadway musical beautifully for the large screen and also provided the superb choreography for the toe-tapping musical numbers. This musical sucks you in right from the beginning...I found myself singing along with the characters on the screen and I didn't even know the words to the songs, that's how deliciously contagious this film is.
A product of a nationwide talent search, young Nikki Blonsky makes a sparkling film debut in the role of Tracy...her fresh scrubbed enthusiasm and her clear-as-a-bell singing voice are a perfect fit with the role of Tracy. Her opening number "Good Morning Baltimore" energetically begins the story and has the audience in love with Tracy immediately.
John Travolta works very hard to be believable in the role of Edna Turnblad, Tracy's introverted but loving mother, a role originated in the Waters film by transvestite Divine. No, you never completely forget that it's Travolta under all that makeup and padding, but he completely commits to the role and brings Edna vividly to life.
Michelle Pfeiffer is perfection as the villianness of the piece, Velma Von Tussle, the manager of the TV station where The Corny Collins show is taped and Brittany Snow, who played the good girl in John Tucker Must Die proves she can be bad as Velma's daughter and Tracy's arch enemy,Amber. Elijah Kelley (so memorable in Take the Lead) is sexy and charismatic as Seaweed, Tracy's black pal who falls for Tracy's best friend Penny (Amanda Bynes).
Christopher Walken is delightful as Tracy's dad and Queen Latifah is effective as Seaweed's mom, who is the host of The Corny Collins Show on Negro Day. Mention should also be made of a brief but very funny turn by Emmy winner Allison Janney as Penny's mother and if you don't blink, you will even see a brief cameo by the original film's director, John Waters.
Musical highlights include the previously mentioned "Good Morning Baltimore", "The Darker the Berry, the Sweeter the Juice", "I Know Where I've Been" and "You Can't Stop the Beat". Hairspray is a musical with a message, but it's never preachy and the message is not delivered with a sledgehammer, but with a song and smile and some amazing dance moves. An instant classic that will motivate multiple viewings. A winner.
Run, do not walk to see Hairspray, the dazzling and exuberant 2007 film version of the Broadway musical based on the 1988 cult classic directed by John Waters that introduced Rikki Lake to the world.
This is the story of Tracy Turnblad, a wide-eyed and pleasingly plump high schooler growing up in Baltimore in the racially turbulent 1960's who finally realizes her dream of being a dancer on her favorite TV show, THE CORNY COLLINS SHOW,an "American Bandstand" type music show that extols the virtues of being young and white in America in the 60's.
One day a month, the show has what they call "Negro Day" where they feature exclusively black artists and black dancers. Tracy's innocent remark that she "wishes every day was Negro Day" makes her a surprising but willing symbol for the civil rights movement in 1960's Baltimore.
Director Adam Shankman has expanded the Broadway musical beautifully for the large screen and also provided the superb choreography for the toe-tapping musical numbers. This musical sucks you in right from the beginning...I found myself singing along with the characters on the screen and I didn't even know the words to the songs, that's how deliciously contagious this film is.
A product of a nationwide talent search, young Nikki Blonsky makes a sparkling film debut in the role of Tracy...her fresh scrubbed enthusiasm and her clear-as-a-bell singing voice are a perfect fit with the role of Tracy. Her opening number "Good Morning Baltimore" energetically begins the story and has the audience in love with Tracy immediately.
John Travolta works very hard to be believable in the role of Edna Turnblad, Tracy's introverted but loving mother, a role originated in the Waters film by transvestite Divine. No, you never completely forget that it's Travolta under all that makeup and padding, but he completely commits to the role and brings Edna vividly to life.
Michelle Pfeiffer is perfection as the villianness of the piece, Velma Von Tussle, the manager of the TV station where The Corny Collins show is taped and Brittany Snow, who played the good girl in John Tucker Must Die proves she can be bad as Velma's daughter and Tracy's arch enemy,Amber. Elijah Kelley (so memorable in Take the Lead) is sexy and charismatic as Seaweed, Tracy's black pal who falls for Tracy's best friend Penny (Amanda Bynes).
Christopher Walken is delightful as Tracy's dad and Queen Latifah is effective as Seaweed's mom, who is the host of The Corny Collins Show on Negro Day. Mention should also be made of a brief but very funny turn by Emmy winner Allison Janney as Penny's mother and if you don't blink, you will even see a brief cameo by the original film's director, John Waters.
Musical highlights include the previously mentioned "Good Morning Baltimore", "The Darker the Berry, the Sweeter the Juice", "I Know Where I've Been" and "You Can't Stop the Beat". Hairspray is a musical with a message, but it's never preachy and the message is not delivered with a sledgehammer, but with a song and smile and some amazing dance moves. An instant classic that will motivate multiple viewings. A winner.