I’ve unknowingly had a craving for the musical film version of Hairspray since the end of the Golden Age of the animated Disney musicals. Apparently there has been a large void in my heart left since Mulan came out. I can just imagine the late Howard Ashman (the musical muse behind The Little Mermaid & Beauty and the Beast) looking down from heaven at this film with a smile on his face. It is based of the Tony award winning Broadway play, which was based on John Water’s 1988 cult classic (the same evolution The Producers experienced). Having not seen the play, this movie was totally fresh to me, but it seemed authentically original, avoiding staginess and freeing the camera movements at every turn. Hairspray is also a message movie about loving who we are and accepting those who are different. Similarly, Hairspray is a campy musical that is proud of its musical numbers that goof the early 1960’s, staging them in the streets of Baltimore as opposed to most recent musicals that require a stage on which to perform. In fact, most of the films great numbers take place in high school hallways and the characters bedrooms. Hairspray is so much fun, even the Grinch would be tapping his feet by the end.
The films heart is Tracy Turnblad (newcomer Nikki Blonsky) the pudgy high schooler who radiates joy. Blonsky is quite a find, providing one of the most cheery and lovable characters I’ve ever seen on film. She’s like the love child of John Candy and Kathy Najimy. How could you not love this girl? She is so perky and happy she jumps out of bed in the morning and dances her way to school. And hey, she actually turns out to be a naturally amazing dancer, even at sunrise. I'd say she’s a morning person, but she’s always like that. She’s even sings from the trunk of a car.
Tracy’s waking hours revolve around the local American Bandstand type show called the Corny Collins Show hosted by the aptly named Corny (James Marsden). She races home everyday with her ever supportive pal Penny Pingleton (a hilarious Amanda Bynes) to dance along to Corny’s show, swoon over heartthrob Link Larkin (Zac Efron) and dream about shaking and shimmying in front of the camera.
When the show holds open auditions for a replacement spot, Tracy gets her chance to shine much to the dismay of the shows racist manager Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Tracy’s mother Edna (John Travolta). Edna is a supportive mom, but she is afraid that Tracy will be hurt when Velma refuses to let a chubby girl on T.V. Of course, Edna is right because Velma is so vicious and unapologetically malicious she has no intentions of considering Tracy for the show. Thankfully, Tracy’s father Wilbur (Christopher Walken) is there to tell Tracy that she should chase after her dreams even though she might get hurt.
Velma doesn’t let Tracy in the show, but Tracy still mixes up the scene by spreading her belief of integration and winning the heart of Corny Collins, landing her on T.V. Tracy seems to win the heart of everyone and eventually becomes a leader in the Baltimore civil rights movement as she attempts to integrate the Corny Collins Show.
Kudos to director and choreographer Adam Shankman who has created some of the best dance performances I have seen in a while. These musical numbers are as well choreographed as the fight sequences in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. They should make choreography a Oscar category with situations like this. But the true heroes of this film are Tina Gerussi, Richard Hicks, and David Rubin. Ever hear of them? Yeah, me neither, but I thought this is the perfect opportunity to show the casting directors a little love. They have assembled the best possible cast I can imagine for this film. Blonsky is so terrific all I have to say is Jennifer Hudson look out. John Travolta is also wonderful as Edna the plump woman traditionally played by a man. At times he seems to be channeling Miss Piggy, but his dancing makes me wanna scream Grease Lightning. His motherly performance is so tender you eventually can’t help but believe he is a woman. This is seriously his best performance since Primary Colors. Christopher Walken is as bizarre and charming as ever. Queen Latifah lends her voice for a few show stoppers. Michelle Pfeiffer is wicked hilarious fun playing one of the most evil family film villains since Cruella De Vil. And don’t forget to lookout for supporting cast such as Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Brittany Snow and the amazing dance man Elijah Kelley.
If you can’t tell, I loved every second of Hairspray. It is so lovable, it dares you not to fall for it. From the colorful characters, the goofy 60’s jokes, and amazing show stoppers, you will be dancing in your seat. And the film is so alive with fresh performances and wonderful songs, you will leave the theatre invigorated like you just saw a real Broadway show. But don’t be to disappointed when there aren’t any vendors selling soundtracks on your way out. They’re cheaper at Best Buy anyway.
A
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