Hairspray Takes Hold

The world keeps spinning 'round and 'round -- Picture Courtsesy New Line Cinema

by blogSpotter
I've seen several "Hairspray" reviews this past week, so will try not to rehash everything in great detail. You're probably familiar with John Water's story, set in Baltimore 1962. In the story, a porcine white teenager, Tracy Turnblad (played by Nikki Blonsky now), attempts to integrate a racially segregated TV dance review which hosts a monthly "Negro Day" and requires participants to dance on segregated dance floors. Tracy's newfound racial sensitivity comes from being sent to high school detention, where she meets black students who teach her some crazy new dance moves. The movie basically centers on Tracy getting the Corny Collins Show to become integrated. The reviewer for People Magazine thought that there was too little of Tracy and too much of the other bigger-than-life characters in this movie.

I have to respectfully disagree with People. The plot of "Hairspray" is pretty thin -- it could use some Minoxidil. Its depiction of racial strife is oversimplified and almost trite. The love affair between Tracy and Link (hunky dance star and obvious chubby chaser, played by Zac Efron) is not enough to sustain a 107 minute movie. Therefore, you HAVE to give lots of face time, dialog and dance numbers to the luminary costars -- they are pretty much the movie. We have the much-touted John Travolta doing fat-suit drag as Edna Turnblad. I couldn't discern his accent, and I can't help but think that his straight-guy drag shtick is too subdued. On the other hand he can bust a move in the dance numbers, and that's impressive. Queen Latifah is excellent as Motormouth Maybelle, the record store owner. She lends gravity to the whole affair and pretty well takes over the show at the end when she sings "You Can't Stop the Beat". Christopher Walken actually comes across as smart and sensitive as Tracy's father -- he usually plays zanier roles. Jerry Stiller has a bit part as the owner of a large woman's apparel store and 20 year old Elijah Kelley is a breakout as Seaweed, one of the best dancers. Allison Janney is hilarious as Penny's overprotective mother; I didn't even know it was her until I saw the credits roll.

I have to say that Michelle Pfeiffer steals the show as Velma Von Tussle, the snobby former Miss Boston and Corny Collins station manager. Her equally snobby daughter, Amber Von Tussle is favored to win the Miss Baltimore dance contest. Pfeiffer is beautiful in a deranged way and comes across as one of the best villains we've had since maybe Cruella DeVille. She's obnoxious and over-the-top -- everything a villain needs to be for the final come-uppance.

I'd be remiss not to also mention that "Hairspray" features some great early-60's clothing, cars and backdrops -- very colorful and fun. The imagery alone makes the movie worth seeing. The music and choreography are also great; I can only imagine that at least three of the numbers will end up as clips for "Show Tune" collections. Many people have declared that the musical is a dead format for movies, thinking fondly back to "Music Man" or "Sound of Music". "Hairspray" is pretty grand and may help to revive the genre. If you look closely in the opening "Good Morning Baltimore" number, you will see John Waters (the screenwriter of the original 1988 movie) do a cameo as a street flasher. From that flashy scene forward, "Hairspray" will keep you entertained.

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