Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) User Reviews

Very strange but GREAT!

[preppy-3 · 8/10 · 20 June 2001]

Tard to follow (at times) but fascinating story about a transsexual rock singer named Hedwig and her quest for fame, fortune and love. Impossible to describe, but a pleasure to watch. Never stops moving and extremely well-directed by John Cameron Mitchell (who also gives a wonderful performance as Hedwig). The songs are loud and good, performed with gusto and tons of energy. A rare Hollywood film that doesn't play it safe with its sexual content and doesn't wimp out at the end. A one of a kind film and well worth seeing.

Brilliant toe-tapping stuff

[Chris_Docker · 8/10 · 27 August 2001]

Already the winner of numerous awards including the Audience and Director awards at Sundance, this is the film of an original stage musical comedy that played off Broadway for over two years. It centres on Hedwig, whose only way of escaping from East Berlin is to undergo a sex-change and assume his mother's identity. Unfortunately the operation goes wrong and he is left with an `angry inch'. Escaping to America, he forms a rock band whilst seeking the soul partner that will fulfil his destiny. Loaded with songs that you will be humming all the way out of the cinema, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the funniest, most outrageously entertaining movie of its kind since Rocky Horror. Unlike Rocky Horror, it does have some more serious philosophical reflections built into it (mostly via the songs), but it rocks, kicks ass and injects some seriously funny pizzaz into the transgender scene. I had the advantage not only of seeing the UK stage version a few days after the film, but also hearing the director speak about his work at the UK premiere. As a first time film effort it's quite an accomplishment, but as Cameron also played Hedwig in the stage version he had a starter for ten. On the down-side, the film is probably better on second or third viewing, when all the pieces would fit into place, and towards the end there is a tendency to tell the story only in songs and so at the expense of any serious script writing. But still it's a must-see movie.

An Angry Inch is just enough.

[karrisamarie80 · 9/10 · 14 September 2004]

This movie is insane. That's why I liked it so much. The plot and visuals are as twisted as the inch that Hedwig is left with after her botched sex-change. In contrast, the lyrics of the many songs in the this movie are beautiful and poetic. I'm going to search out the sound track for this movie, as the songs were brilliant and inspiring.

This movie shows that everything has two sides that some how merge together to form the truth, The beautiful woman with the ugly, scarred genitals. The everlasting love soured by betrayal and shame. The cravings for success marred by the fear of power.

The unusual story, and the wonderful music make this movie alone worth watching. The amazing acting, outrageous costumes, and fabulous wigs make it a cult classic.

Another success for producer Christine Vachon, and a definite recommend from me!!!

A Brilliant Film - Fun and Multi-Layered

[EdYerkeRobins · 10/10 · 17 February 2002]

Adapted from an off-Broadway show, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is the end result of 6 years of character and idea evolution by creator John Cameron Mitchell. Equal parts musical, mockumentary, and drama, the film pleases on all levels.

The film's musical numbers are brilliantly crafted and cross several different genres. A country-flavored number, "Sugar Daddy", appears smack-dab in the middle of all the punk and glam rock tunes, daring anyone to doubt the soundtrack's variety. The majority of the songs are catchy and great fun to listen to ("Wig in a Box" even has a karaoke sing-a-long during the second chorus), while staying true to the themes of the movie and Hedwig's life. John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig) sings live vocals over a pre-recorded band mix, and this definitely lends more of a live concert feel than if he had simply lip-synched all the songs for the role. The majority of the cast is reunited from the original cast of the "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" play, so fans of the original play who have not seen the movie need not worry about "outsiders" ruining it in transition.

The film's mockumentary nature mainly results from how the songs, being "autobiographical", are preceded by scenes of commentary by Hedwig and a flashback from her life. While the transition from real time to flashback is usually made quite clear, some scenes (particularly the climax, which is a mess trying to piece together) are confusing as to what is real and what is flashback. The rest of the mockumentary comes between musical sequences, during Hedwig's interaction with her manager, band, and showing of mixed feelings towards Tommy Gnosis, an ex-lover who stole all her material for his own album and is now a popular teen idol. Her interactions with husband Yitzhak (who, due to an excellent make-up job and performance by original cast member Miriam Shor, I had no idea was played by a woman until I saw "Like It or Not", a documentary on the film included on the DVD) would have made the list as well, had a vital character-development scene with Yitzhak (the only non-Hedwig flashback in the entire movie) been left in the final cut; as it is, Yitzhak serves only as Hedwig's back-up singer and whipping boy, a much less important character. Most of the film's situations, however, are explained well, via flashback or dialogue, and have well-written gay and transsexual jokes.

Underneath all the humor and the music, however, is the serious theme of feeling spiritually "whole". Hedwig seems to interpret this (through the song "Origin of Love" and some interesting animated vignettes) as through finding love and one's soul-mate. Mitchell, who knows his character better than anyone, gives an amazing performance and is not only able to portray Hedwig's bitchy diva side, but also able to make the audience sympathize with why she acts that way (unlike real-life divas), and how deeply her inner feelings and her failures so far at "becoming whole" through a relationship trouble her.

Having not even the faintest idea of what the film was about other than that it was a musical, I was very pleasantly surprised at how much fun I had with Hedwig, and how at the same time it never strayed far from its serious theme. In its journey from a character, to a play, to a movie, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" has won over audiences as well as taken home accolades at Sundance, but has not had much mainstream success (chalk this up to its "controversial" transsexual main character and the popularity of "Moulin Rouge!", an experiment in stylistic over-extravagance, which is bigger and flashier than "Hedwig" due to its grand budget but lacks the sense of "genuine" emotion in the plot). This is quite tragic, because in retrospect, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" was definitely one of 2001's best films.

I could never hope to praise this enough: 10/10

[zetes · 10/10 · 5 November 2001]

No matter how much I do praise it, I'll end up turning people against it. But, let me ask you: what were you expecting when you first heard of Hedwig and the Angry Inch? It's been billed as a punk rock musical about a transsexual from East Germany who was duped into coming to live in a trailer park in Kansas City. So what was I expecting? A gay camp film. I had no doubts that it would be anything else. And that's not to say that I wouldn't have enjoyed a gay camp movie. After all, I liked Moulin Rouge. But I got a surprise that was entirely unexpected: what I experienced was the best new film I had seen in years. And I mean that. Hedwig and the Angry Inch is equally hilarious and touching. Not that I want to spread cliches, but I seriously laughed and I seriously cried, often simultaneously. This manages to be the best American comedy since, damn, Preston Sturges was still writing and directing. It's easily the best movie musical since Cabaret. It's also one of the most heartfelt and passionate dramas, and one of the best character studies I've ever seen. Along with that, John Cameron Mitchell delivers a performance that perhaps hasn't been equalled since, I don't know, Robert DeNiro in Raging Bull, which might be the ultimate cinematic character study. I shouldn't say that, because it might hint that Hedwig is a dark character, but, well, I'd call her just a great protagonist. She's a heroine, especially to anyone experiencing sexual confusion, but even to me, a straight, Midwestern boy. Hedwig is a heroine for anyone who's ever felt that they've been treated like crap their entire life. I wanted to clap for and support Hedwig emotionally throughout the entire film. In short, Hedwig is a character I deeply loved, equal to just a few other characters I've met throughout my extensive journeys in the cinema. Parallel to a situation in the film, if I should ever see John Cameron Mitchell on the street, I'd have to hug him.

I also have another heap of praise that I have to go through before I am done. I've always thought that movie musicals adapted from stage plays were the death of the genre. Only a few exceptions ever seemed more than unimaginative, slavish films that worked only to bring Broadway to an audience who could or would never visit NYC. Cabaret was the one big exception that I had seen previously, but you also hear West Side Story mentioned as being a great film. But, in adapting a stage play for the screen, I always expect the film to seem stranded on stage. To boot, Hedwig had another mark against it: the director, Mitchell again, had never directed a film before. Well, I really don't know what training he had in the art, but it must have been enough. The cinematic art, at least the visual aspect of it, has nearly been forgotten in the 1990s and 2000s, but John Cameron Mitchell creates a visual tour de force as much as he does one of writing and acting. I love the scene where Hedwig the adult reminisces about how his mother forced him to put his head in the oven if he wanted to sing when he was a child. And Hedwig and the Angry Inch's (that's the band's name as well as the film's) appearance outside the Menses Festival next to the port-o-potties. A goth chick, who presumably didn't have tickets for the actual Menses Festival, watches the band in deep curiosity and confusion; Hedwig invites the girl to sit up on stage with her while she relates her past. I also love the sequence where the American G.I. discovers him laying naked in rubble. Hedwig's original name was Hansel, which leads to one of the funniest jokes I can ever recall seeing. Or how about the scene where Hedwig, when babysitting, discovers Tommy, the future rock star who steals all her songs, masturbating in the bath tub? That scene is handled so well that I almost died laughing. To tell you the truth, I don't think there is anything ostensibly wrong with the film, period. I just wanted to talk about the amazing direction because the one review of it I have on hand says "the direction can't help from being flat." FLAT? How can you say that it is flat? PS: The animated number and the song that goes along with it is adapted from Aristophanes' speech in Plato's Symposium, about which I wrote my senior thesis in college. The rock star's stage name, Gnosis, is Ancient Greek for "knowledge," which Hedwig actually says in the film. One of the filmmakers must have learned Ancient Greek at some point in his life. Bravo, good sirs.

Amazing movie, amazing Soundtrack

[rkeefe · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

A true Rock Opera! Not for the small minded. Every song is amazing and wonderful - Origin of Love - is one of the best songs of our time. The illustrated mini-movies through out the movie truly enhance it. Beautiful and tragic. Unlike anything else, Rocky Horror pales in comparison. Amazing performances! I loved this movie! Hedwig is a truly beautiful and twisted character. This movie explains how someone gets to a very unusual point in their life. This movie shows that human beings have faults, emotion, love, anger and strife, no matter what their sex is, or how unusual they seem. The costumes are amazing and the sets rock. All around magic.

Unbelievably Amazing and Completely Kick-Ass.

[PF · 10/10 · 23 April 2001]

The press kit touts this film as a "Post-punk neo-glam rock odyssey," based on the hit off-broadway show that ran in New York from 1998-2000. Some people have compared it to the Rocky Horror Picture Show, but that's only because it's the only other Glam Rock musical ever made into a movie.

The premise alone should make you want to see it: A rock-and-roll drag queen tells her bizarre life story, starting as a boy in East Berlin, falling in love with an American GI, and going for a sex-change operation, waking up to find nothing but a "one-inch mound of flesh" where her organ should be. The story takes more twists and turns after that, and I don't want to spoil anything.

The story is told mostly through the songs, which are perfect rock and roll gems, on par with the songs from Tommy. After only seeing it once, I walked away singing the words "Six inches forward and five inches back...I've got an angry inch!" over and over for days.

For a directorial debut with no big-name movie stars, the acting is right on the mark. These are theater people, after all, and there's none of the cringeworthy bad acting you see in a lot of independent films. John Cameron Mitchell gives the character Hedwig so much emotional depth, you forget that the premise is so silly.

The costumes are amazing, as you would expect from a movie with a drag queen as the main character. Hedwig wears no less than 41 outfits, one of which is a dress made entirely of hair.

I came away from this movie totally inspired. It positively electrified me with an energy I rarely feel from movies anymore. And I don't even like musicals!

Hedwig's Shining, Like the Brightest Star

[sehguhc19 · 1 December 2002]

When one thinks of the concept of `rock musical,' one would usually think of brainless dance extravaganzas with no plot to be had. Well, ladies and gentlemen, whether you like it or not. Hedwig! The tremendously brilliant Hedwig and the Angry Inch counters the one's stereotype of the rock musical; it has intelligence, ingenuity and a deeper meaning. Unlike its predecessor Rocky Horror Picture Show, it is filmed through an artist's view and has the sexual energy and the integrity to match that of an art film.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch began as an Off-Broadway musical in 1997, where it achieved cult status and critical acclaim. It is the story of Hansel (Ben Mayer-Goodman/John Cameron Mitchell), a homosexual young man who grew up in communist East Berlin, and dreamed of leaving his war-ridden homeland to find his soul mate. He thinks that he finds his soul mate in the person of U.S. Sergeant Luther Robinson (Maurice Dean Wint), a man who lusts for Hansel, but does not accept him for who he is. He proposes marriage to Hansel, with the promise that he will take him from East Berlin to America. However, Hansel's freedom comes with a price; he must undergo a sex change operation. Hansel's mother (Roberta Watson) gives Hansel her passport, and her name: Hedwig.

However, things do not go as planned. Hedwig's operation got botched, rendering her with an `angry inch,' and Luther instantly abandons her in a loathsome trailer in Kansas, where she keeps herself afloat with her dreams of becoming a glam rock star. To finance herself, she turns tricks at a nearby military base and becomes a babysitter for the children of commander of the local army fort. As a result, she falls in love with the commander's son, Tommy (Michael Pitt). Hedwig allows Tommy to collaborate on the brilliant songs that she has written and endows him with the rock name of `Gnosis,' the Greek word for `knowledge.' However, when Tommy learns of her sex, he too abandons her, steals Hedwig's songs, and becomes a rock and roll icon.

The film opens with Hedwig and her band, the aptly titled `Angry Inch,' performing in the straight-laced chain restaurant Bilgewater's, to horrified customers. Hedwig and the Angry Inch, along with their manager, Phyllis (Andrea Martin), have been following Tommy's world tour. In fact, Bilgewater's is adjacent to the humungous stadium where Tommy is performing. During her `world tour,' Hedwig recounts her heartbreaking story through a series of flashbacks, implemented through fades of white and different cinematography (absences of color, quality of film, etc).

The driving force behind every aspect in this film is John Cameron Mitchell, who starred, directed, and wrote the screenplay for Hedwig and the Angry Inch. This happening was extremely important, because Mitchell derived the entire concept of the Hedwig and brilliantly adapted it for the Off-Broadway stage. The stage version of Hedwig and the Angry Inch involved Hedwig recounting her past experiences through a narrative, so for the film version, Mitchell simply implemented the flashbacks in live action sequences. Even though his performance as Hedwig is deliciously tawdry sexual, through his brilliant acting talent, one is able to have a peek at Hedwig's loves and inner desperation for acceptance. Mitchell derived the basic concept of Hedwig and the Angry Inch from his own experiences growing up as the homosexual son of an army general. His father served in Berlin, and he had firsthand knowledge of the war situation.

Unlike most other rock musicals, the brilliant songs that Hedwig periodically performed were done so during Hedwig's stage performances, not at random points in the film. This aspect added to the believability of the film, discouraging the absurdity of its predecessors. Stephen Trask, who also appeared in the film, brilliantly wrote the Hedwig's songs. The songs did not have a tinge of campy like Broadway-style songs; they reflected the glam rock principles like the songs of David Bowie and Lou Reed from which they were based. Trask's past is in rock and roll, hence the obvious edge of the songs in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Mitchell's beautiful voice adds a triumphant punch to all of the songs (he starred in numerous musicals prior to Hedwig.) and lets the emotions of the beautiful lyrics and his brilliant performance shine through.

Even though Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a very low-budgeted independent film, Mitchell turned to his inventive imagination in order to create a richly beautiful and artistic piece. For example, he used imaginative camera angles to produce special effects. During `Angry Inch' performance scene, he executed a low angle medium shot underneath him to make it appear as though he was flying over a room of revolting people. Then, he executed a high angle long shot to depict the people from his perspective. Also, he used cinematography to change the mood of the film from the beginning to the end. For example, in the beginning of the film, Hedwig wore lush, elaborate wigs and brightly colored costumes and lighting was in warm, pinkish hues to depict Hedwig's more positive outlook. In contrast, toward the end of the film, Hedwig wore stark wigs and costumes and the film was filmed in higher contrast to depict Hedwig's tragic breakdown.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch recounts Hedwig's journey to find her soul mate: her journey of becoming `whole.' Mitchell derived this concept from `Plato's Symposium,' in which there were three sexes of people (man-woman, woman-woman, and man-man), with four arms and four legs, that were split in half by Zeus and wandered the earth, searching for their other half. Hedwig views herself as being a half of a whole, and thus does not accept herself for who she really is. Her first two attempts at love proved to be futile, and her current relationship with band mate, Yitzhak (Miriam Shor), is shallow and empty. In the face of adversity, Hedwig finds herself tragically alone. In order to find her destiny, she must look to herself for the answer.

A terrific Film

[droopfozz · 6/10 · 15 January 2002]

The comparisons to Rocky Horror are misguided. This is far better, and actually is about something important. Mitchell is amazing, and so is the idea. No film has ever expressed sexuality, longing, confusion, or rock and roll, so elequently as this little film.

REVOLUTIONARY, COMPELLING, RE-DEFINING THE ROCK MUSICAL

[philip-ct · 10/10 · 14 December 2001]

Hedwig is an outstanding movie - compelling, rugged, sensitive, in-your-face, and full of committed energy from cast and crew. I used to think that Cabaret was the best musical made, and love the high camp-glam of Rocky Horror. But Hedwig edges these movies in my opinion.

James Cameron Mitchell imbues Hedwig with dignity, bluster, bravura and credibility. It is an inspired performance, with riveting songs. (I stayed to the very end of the credits, breaking out into song. Bear in mind that South Africans have not had access to the stage play.)

This film is more original and more daring than the other 2001 contender for 'redefining' the musical, Moulin Rouge. Maybe this is because the main characters are 'filled' in so well, in terms of music/lyrics, others' reactions to them, and by incredibly clear characterising. Hedwig, though over the top, is a cross between Sally Bowles and Frank-'n-Furter. Roll on Sing-along Hedwig!!

The story is quite simple - Hedwig has an angry inch (from a botched sex-change). Hedwig is angry, too, because s/he is searching for a sense of self, for the 'other' (that song 'Origin of Love' is mythical rock which works). James Cameron Mitchell is good as both Hansel (his male persona) and Hedwig; his search for Tommy Gnossis - his creation, his 'Rocky' ? - and ultimate reconciliation are moving.

The end scene is magnificent as Hedwig transforms into Hansel, all male, totally male, while Hedwig is lifted up into the audience. At this point it seems that the film was saying many things about love, about identity, about relating.

A stunning film - and, being a novice to Hedwig (like a Rocky Horror virgin) I thought Miriam Shor was a foreign name for an interesting support actor. Imagine my delight (and mortification) when I realise that 'he' is a woman!

The illusion continues.

See this film; I agree with the reviewer who calls it 'Kick Ass'. For me it is one of the most compelling and interesting films of 2001.

10/10

love it!

[chimforever · 7/10 · 22 July 2019]

This film was amazing! more people should watch it. the acting is amazing and a great story

Wonderfully sad and funny!

[patriciamartin · 10/10 · 9 April 2004]

I am a Male to Female Transsexual and this movie has helped bring across some of what we face in our lives. It did it in a way with comedy with an underlying love story. The story starts as a child and follows her throughout life until her dreams (well some of them) are met. There are may twists and turns along the way making this more realistic to me, a transsexual at the end of her long road of discovery. It is tender to a point of bringing tears and full emotions to you. Only problem I have is that Hedwig is making fun of her condition, caused by a messed up surgery, Thank goodness she can continue to see the good in things, or can she!!!

Two sets of arms...two sets of legs

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 13 August 2001]

A pointed and serious rock musical with a bitter comedic edge. Hedwig is a half-man/half-woman singer in the Midwest who has quite a story to tell. She managed to get out of run-down East Berlin by marrying a gay American officer--but not before having a sex operation that "got botched". Now she's on a quest to face down the teen idol she discovered and groomed, a relationship that blew up in her face after the kid ran off with her songs. A vital and vivid depiction of sexual angst, one with excellent music written by Stephen Trask and performed by director-star John Cameron Mitchell (who really knows how to work the camera). Their film, adapted from the Off-Broadway cult smash, does have problems; it falters somewhere near the end and finishes limply. There's a streak of pretentiousness about the work that fails to bring the comedic elements and the drama together. Many sequences are amusing and bracing, however Mitchell's direction doesn't work out the balance of emotions we're feeling, and his conception leaves us behind. I didn't care for the surreal jumble that is the final fifteen minutes, but I loved the flashbacks to Hedwig's childhood (his flat was so small he had to play in the oven!) and all the players are game and forthright with Mitchell's take-no-prisoners approach. **1/2 from ****

Unrelentingly bad ego trip

[philip-1 · 1/10 · 10 August 2001]

I went to see "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" with high expectations considering the critical reception it has received from the press. But of course, the press loved "My Dinner With Andre" and "The Incredible Lightness of Being"...2 movies that were unmitigated disasters as far as I'm concerned.

Those two movies were boring. Hedwig is not. It is a glitzy, noisy, vacuous rock musical about an East Berlin kid castrated to gain entry to the United States as a sort of war bride and then abandoned by his/her husband in Kansas only to become a second rate rock star. All this might have made an interesting, charasmatic drama, but as a musical it is a disaster. The score of rock songs is unremittingly loud and monochromatic and except for the song "Origin of Love", there is not a memorable tune anywhere. 80% of the movie is outlandish, sometimes over the top performances of these awful songs. You just sit there waiting...and hoping they'll be over soon. Some critics have compared "Hedwig" to the "Rocky Picture Horror Show". That movie/show had a great score. This does not and a musical without a score isn't worth a damn.

The second unfortunate realization is that the entire project (and I presume the off broadway stage production on which it based) is a massive, self indulgent ego trip for its star, writer and director. The kid's got a lot of talent with which he energetically assaults this dreadful material. If there was a decent score, a great screenplay and a seasoned director, he'd be brilliant.

So it's not boring. The production values are fun as far as it goes. Yeah, the wigs are fun. BIG DEAL! When the film is over you don't give a hoot for Hedwig or what he/she has been through. There is little application of wit and a heavy dose of maudlin tripe.

Sorry folks. If you want a recent movie musical with some MUSIC, see Moulin Rouge.

A gem in the heap of garbage called "American film"

[sundog1 · 14 June 2003]

Without gushing, I think that this is the best film to come out of the US in several years. This is the type of movie which demands repeated viewing, and reveals itself a little each time. I'm surprised that the genius of this film didn't receive more accolades at the time, but I attribute that to the socially acceptable restraints of the mass culture.

Absolutely perfect production from top to bottom, makes you laugh out loud... then tears your heart out & puts it back in again. Multi layered & symbolic throughout.

Songwriting by Stephen Trask is sublime. But how the hell can a clown like Eminem get an Oscar & this guy was virtually ignored?! Sickening thought. Cameron Mitchell must have been born for this part... a brave & charismatic perf.

This movie achieves everything that "Velvet Goldmine" (yuck) could not... in a fraction of the time.

Anyway, anyone who's got a little freak in them will love this movie. And those who don't "get it" should be content watching the rest of American mass market trash cinema.

Like a modern-day Grimm Brother's fairytale in a way.

[MyMovieTVRomance · 8/10 · 4 March 2022]

I watched this mainly because Joan Jett rocked with the star of it back in 2001 or so. So, I just expected a rock musical about a drag queen that wanted to make it big, nothing more. But, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was so much more than that!

First off, this film is such a visual piece of art! Secondly, the songs are great! And third- and most important, this film is a beautiful bending of visual and intellectual ideas. It's quite absurdist and crude at times, but mostly, it's philosophical, spiritual and sweet. This is a twin flame movie, for sure! I loved it!

astoundingly brilliant, somewhat disturbing. A must see.

[bjorksjoga · 10/10 · 23 November 2005]

This was a film I had planned to watch for an extremely long time, it was lent to me by an ethics professor and I was blown away. I was astounded. Never could I have imagined how visually and sonically pleasing Hedwig would be all at once, yet surprisingly disturbing. And this is coming from a homosexual man who has spent an enormous amount of time around persons who have had sex changes, and innumerable drag queens. Hedwig also gave a startling new look at the collapse of (and years previous to) the Berlin wall. EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU WON'T LIKE THIS FILM SEE IT ANYWAY, you will be surprised. What I took that was even more unexpected than anything else, was great joy in the songs. Each song, particularly "The Origin Of Love", and "Angry Inch" were songs I would listen to without prompting from the film.

Enemies and adversaries, they'll try and tear her down!

[Nmbr6 · 10/10 · 9 February 2004]

This is an *amazing* movie. Quite simply amazing.

I'm a total music geek, I can find faults with almost any music you throw my way. My favorite rock operas include Genesis' "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway," Kevin Gilbert's "The Shaming of the True"... And the newest addition to the list -- "Hedwig and the Angry Inch."

That's right, you heard right, I'm calling it a rock opera. This quite simply ain't no musical. And 2 minutes into this, before they were done with the first song, I already knew I had to get a copy of the soundtrack. And I did the next day.

I've also gotten a hold of the original cast recording, and there's an album of covers of the songs by various 3d party artists called "Wig in a Box" that I've also gotten and I've been listening to all three obsessively.

There's just something *about* watching a tall and fairly good looking transsexual with hairy armpits and quite possibly the worst blond wig I've ever seen sing some amazingly good 70's style arena glam rock... In the middle of a divey restaurant, with a bunch of old, balding people who look like they belong in a Florida retirement community trying really hard to ignore the music, complaining to their waitress and then finally standing up to leave...

In one scene, the band is almost entirely hidden behind the restaurant's salad bar.

But none of this manages to tear Hedwig down -- the amazing quality of the music, the performance... Does not at any point suffer from the attitude of the unreceptive listeners. Almost as if she *knows* that the viewers at home are loving it... So WHO CARES about the more immediate audience.

And the story? This story is inspirational, thoughtful, sensitive, beautiful... Aside from the fact that it's very, very strange and prides itself on being so. Even if there isn't an element of the gender bending lifestyle in your life... As long as you have reasonably good taste in music -- as long as your immediate response to the question "Ziggy played... what?" is something like "Guitar, of course! And gosh, was that ever a good song!" -- you will enjoy this movie.

And if there *is* an element of gender bending to your lifestyle... This is practically a must watch.

It's not what you expect. It's so much more.

[patriciogl10 · 9/10 · 11 May 2019]

What a brilliant fantastic film. What a character Hedwig is! So flamboyant, interesting, damaged, hurt, vulnerable and invulnerable at the same time. Her story is wonderful, simple and compelling. I was truly fascinated, the songs are marvelous. The audience resist her to a certain extent yet can't seem to stop listening to what she has to say, or better yet, sing. Her attitude towards her art is enviable; her life story flows effortlessly through her songwriting. And her rivalry with Tommy Gnosis tells us how much she's been hurt by him, and some flashback scenes tell us more about their true relationship, and how she changed him.

Apart from the character, John Cameron Mitchell crafted this amazing musical filled with songs from diverse genres. Standouts for me are Sugar Daddy, Origin of Love and the incendiary Angry Inch, which could be a punk anthem, it's an amazing song. What is great about Hedwig is that despite her diva antics, you are actually able to simpathize with her at a human level. She's flawed and you feel not only for her but also with her. This sparks genuineness amongst the viewers who feel such an authentic piece of work unravel through music and fantastic performances. There is so much analysis one can go through by watching this film and listening to the songs, so it provokes deep thought as well.

All in all, John Cameron Mitchell created an extraordinary work of art that sadly doesn't get the recognition it deserves, but from the many reviews in here, you can tell it is something really special. Dare to watch it.

Takes Time Finding the Real Person Under the Wigs

[noralee · 6/10 · 19 December 2005]

Not having seen the off-Broadway version of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," I can only judge it as a movie (and after hearing long, hagiographic interviews with star/director John Cameron Mitchell using his opposite whispery persona on radio shows).

It works as a rock musical through the cute conceit of the songs being part of "Hedwig's" cross-country stalking tour of her sweet-faced young protégé, though the raucous songs have too much similarity, relieved by the change-of-tempo ballads.

As another celebration of drag queens and/or transsexuals who use the exaggerated female image as minstrel shows use black-face caricatures, "Hedwig" doesn't reach the heights of "The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert" in understanding a real person under the wigs, as the set-up here is intentionally more campy.

Just as I got tired of the gimmicks, the movie finally fulfilled itself as the self-realization of a gay man (and his reverse image partner) and became more human. Consequently I didn't buy the didactic we're all one sex theme, even as charmingly demonstrated through the interstitial back-story explanation animation by Emily Hubley.

"Hedwig" uses similar editing techniques and tone as Ken Russell's "Tommy," achieved with a lot smaller budget and less cinematography quality.

(originally written 7/27/2001)

By far my favorite musical

[nadja-66763 · 10/10 · 7 May 2019]

A touching story about the struggles love and life gives you. About losing love and finding yourself in the end. Oh, yeah and just the best musical ever.^^ Amazing music!

Loved this back in the day

[dilaraparis · 7/10 · 3 November 2021]

Would have given it a nine back in the day. I just recently watched this again and saw too many flaw.

Takes a bit to kick in. Sad but true tale.

She is a fine sheila thou.

I've never been more happily surprised by a movie

[nathanielcmetz · 10/10 · 17 February 2020]

I was expecting a low-brow, film littered with immature and insensitive jokes. Instead, I got a heart-felt punk rock anthem with a genius depth of artistic imagery and permeated with love and respect. John Cameron Mitchell's performance is brilliant, and the soundtrack is killer. I'm overjoyed by how good this movie was. Highly recommend.

Quality acting from Mitchell

[grlpwr-34964 · 7/10 · 30 July 2021]

Born in East Germany as the Berlin Wall is being raised, Hansel is convinced to go under the knife by both his mother and his boyfriend so he can get married and move to the States. Hedwig is a story about a guy with a sex change operation gone horribly wrong. This is an odd punk rock based musical She tell her story all through song.

What is there to get excited about?

[jangu · 4/10 · 23 November 2001]

This film started promising, with some solid rock numbers, amusing and interesting characters, good feel for atmosphere and, last but not least, a truly interesting premise. But somewhere in the middle I lost interest. The breakdown of the band and everything that happened after that struck me as too pretentious with tons of artificial pathos. At the same time the pace of the movie almost slows down to a stand-still and the story goes absolutely nowhere. And what about that Yitzhak character? He/she was a complete bore from his/hers first scene to the last. Maybe the part is meant to be some sort of enigma, but I couldn't have cared less. And the cartoon interludes, which were fun at first, started to give me a headache after a while. What I expected was an adventurous and ‘knock-‘em-dead' romp with no holds barred. What I got was something castrated, like the `angry inch' of the title. The final ten minutes could have been great, but Mitchell drops the ball by playing it safe and mouthing bad clichés instead of revealing some really interesting insights. I don't know how Mitchell managed to get awarded for best direction at Sundance. Sure, it has it's inventive moments (the trailer park number to name one thing), but often the direction is static. However, nothing bad can be said about the actor John Cameron Mitchell. His performance is pure energy from the moment go and considering that he is on the screen in almost every scene, it's a great achievement. I also enjoyed the performance from Andrea Martin (the manager) and Alberta Watson too brief scenes as Hedwig's no-nonsense mother. Actually, the flashbacks are fun and have a depth to them that the film as a whole is lacking. So, despite some very good thing, I think this movie was a disappointment. Pity, because with some more guts it could have been great!