Hairspray (2007)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Adam Shankman

Writers (WGA):

Leslie Dixon (screenplay)
John Waters (1988 screenplay)

Release Date:

20 July 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

Get ready for something big July 20th!

Plot:

Pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad teaches 1962 Baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local TV dance show.

Plot Keywords:

Dance | Friend | Best Friend | Audition | Dancing

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 12 wins & 18 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Thur. Nov. 12	6:30 AM	HBO
Tue. Nov. 17	9:30 AM	HBO
Fri. Nov. 20	6:00 PM	HBO

Cast

John Travolta	...	Edna Turnblad
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Velma Von Tussle
Christopher Walken	...	Wilbur Turnblad
Amanda Bynes	...	Penny Pingleton
James Marsden	...	Corny Collins
Queen Latifah	...	Motormouth Maybelle
Brittany Snow	...	Amber Von Tussle
Zac Efron	...	Link Larkin
Elijah Kelley	...	Seaweed
Allison Janney	...	Prudy Pingleton
Nikki Blonsky	...	Tracy Turnblad
Taylor Parks	...	Little Inez
Jayne Eastwood	...	Miss Wimsey
Paul Dooley	...	Mr. Spritzer
Jerry Stiller	...	Mr. Pinky

MPAA:

Rated PG for language, some suggestive content and momentary teen smoking.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG | UK:PG | Ireland:PG | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:AL | Argentina:Atp | Mexico:A | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Portugal:M/6 (Qualidade) | Hong Kong:I | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Finland:K-3 | Malaysia:U | South Korea:12 | Brazil:Livre | Philippines:G | Sweden:Btl | Taiwan:GP | Australia:PG | Czech Republic:12 | Denmark:A

Filming Locations:

1116 King St. W., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

It took John Travolta four hours to put on the fat suit and make-up required for him to become Edna Turnblad.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: At several points in the film self-inflating whoopee cushions are depicted, but cushions of the self-inflating variety were not available until the 1990s.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Tracy Turnblad: [singing] Oh, oh, oh, woke up today, feeling the way I always do. Oh, oh, oh, hungry for something that I can't eat. Then I hear that beat. That rhythm of town starts calling me down. It's like a message from high above. Oh, oh, oh, pulling me out to the smiles and the streets that I love. Good morning, Baltimore!

Movie Connections:

Featured in 'Hairspray' Extentions (2007) (V)

Soundtrack:

Ladies' Choice

Viciously satirical, deeply irreverent and wonderfully fun!

Had it not been for a free pass to an advance screening, I must admit that my friends would have had trouble getting me to see 'Hairspray.' I don't mind musicals but 'Hairspray' didn't seem like something I'd enjoy. Not for the first time in my life was I wrong.

'Hairpsray' is about tolerance, integration and acceptance of others. The film uses the racial divide between blacks and whites but the subtext of the film is Heterosexuals and Homosexuals. 'Hairspray' viciously lampoons bigots and reserves specific devastation for Ultra-conservative religious zealots, figures of authority and WASPs. The satire is white hot (Alison Janney steals every scene she is in), the music catchy, the movie's spirit is irreverent.

I had no problems with the cast and their performances. John Travolta isn't bad and when he gets his chances to dance he's great fun. Christopher Walken and Travolta have a song and dance number duet that rates among the best moments of the film and isn't to be missed. Queen Latifah adds some dignity and balance while Michelle Pfeiffer plays a terrific screen villainess. Amanda Bynes has few lines to deliver but gives perfect comic deadpan when she does for excellent comic effect. Keep a sharp eye out for the hilarious John Waters cameo during the opening number.

Of recent major movie musicals, this is easily better than 'The Producers,' (better comedy and music) and last year's 'Dreamgirls' (weaker songs but better pacing and strong beyond the first half). Although it doesn't have the star power or scale, I also prefer it to 'Chicago' -- 'Hairspray' takes itself less seriously and not many movies have me laughing and smiling from start to finish. If you're looking for a little pure counter-culture escapist fun, 'Hairpsray' is your movie.