Dir. Adam Shankman
Scr. Leslie Dixon, John Waters (1988 screenplay)
By no means a perfect musical masterpiece, Hairspray is nonetheless a whole lot of fun. If you don’t like your actors breaking into song and dance, stay away. But if the thought of catchy songs, Travolta in drag and Walken dancing in a tux gets you going, this is the film for you.
Closely based on the 1988 movie of the same name and the recent Broadway musical, Hairspray is the story of a plumb teenage girl (Tracy Turnblad) who longs to dance and sing and be famous. Serendipity gives her a chance to join the cast of The Corny Collins Show, a fantastic American Bandstand parody – the kids are frighteningly all-American (ie. white and shiny). The show is completely segregated, with one Negro Day per month – the black kids can dance, just not *with* the white kids.
The movie is a coming of age story not just for Tracy and her friends, but for the civil rights movement and the beginning of the end for segregated entertainment. This latter aspect gives the movie more depth than one might otherwise have expected. There is much amusement to be had at stupid bigotry, as well as uplifting and poignant moments to reflect upon.
The musical numbers are superbly executed. The songs are incredibly catchy, especially the opening “Good Morning Baltimore” – your toes will be tapping and you’ll be humming the tunes long after the movie has finished. Aside from a somewhat strained Pfeiffer, Walken and Bynes, the cast tackles the singing with much gusto and talent.
While the movie tends to lose its way at about the two-thirds mark (it seems to need to take a breath or two before the full-on finale), the stellar cast keeps you glued to the screen. Newcomer Nikki Blonsky (as Tracy Turnblad) is phenomenal. She is instantly likeable, delightfully spunky and has an impressive singing voice. With so many big names surrounding and supporting her, I think it was a great decision by the powers that be to go with a fresh face. I can’t really fault any of the cast – they all delight in different ways. Pfeiffer (as TV channel owner Velma Von Tussle) is wonderfully obnoxious, bigoted and evil. Marsden (as host Corny Collins) was an unexpected surprise – perfectly corny but endearing, with wonderful singing voice. Queen Latifah (as Motormouth Maybelle – the Negro Day host) is larger than life, as usual. Funny, sassy with a great set of lungs – a perfect role for her. Zac Efron – of High School Musical fame – is great as Tracy’s love interest Link Larkin. And, yes, if I were a decade or so younger, I would have swooned. Bynes gives a fantastic performance as Tracy’s best friend, Penny Pingleton and Kelley (as her love interest Seaweed) blew me away with his vocal talent and charisma. Always spectacularly strange, Allison Janney is brilliant (if somewhat underused) as Penny’s religious-freak mother, Prudy Pingleton.
The pairing that will be talked about more than any other, of course, is the husband/wife team of John Travolta (Edna Turnblad) and Christopher Walken (Wilbur Turnblad). I was dubious – why cast Travolta? Why not get a woman (Ricki Lake, for example, who played Tracy in the original film)? And although the sight of a hugely padded Travolta in a sequinned dress is not something I thought I ever wanted to see, it worked. What didn’t work was the Dr Evil-esque voice he chose to use – does he think women speak like that?!?! It was somewhat distracting, which was a shame. But the finale, with Travolta finally busting a move, was a sight to behold and hugely entertaining. And, what can I say about the endearing, strange and brilliant Mr Walken? Well, he was endearing and strange and brilliant. And,
For those who pay attention, there are many little surprises to reward you. A hilarious, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo from John Waters (watch closely in the opening number). Travolta paying homage to his career-saving role in Pulp Fiction in the final dance number. Some absolutely cracker dialogue.
Hairspray is good, old-fashioned, musical fun. Is it this generation’s Grease? Well, maybe, though I fear that the shockingly awful High School Musical has nicked that honour. For my money, Hairspray is far superior – smart, funny, socially insightful and delightfully irreverent.
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Velma Von Tussle: They're just kids, that's why we have to steer them in the white direction.
Corny Collins: [pause] RIGHT direction?
Velma Von Tussle: Isn't that what I said?
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