This was a great time at the movies, and I credit Marc Shaiman, Scott Whitman and director-choreographer Adam Shankman.
In this film version of the Tony-award winning musical “Hairspray,” based on the original 1988 film of the same—oy, that’s a lot to write, pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad, played by new comer Nikki Blonsky, auditions for her dream of dancing on a the local day-time Corny Collins Show and soon lands a spot in its cast. Of course, that’s only after picking up a few new moves from the “negro” kids at her school.
But when Velma Von Trussle, played by Michelle Pfeiffer (Batman Returns), and her dancing daughter Amber, plot to destroy Tracy and root out the megro element from the show, Tracy goes from dancer to activist and fights to help the dance show re-define the phrase ‘black and white’ television.
This picture has a clammer of great tunes. It’s a true toe tapper.
It also has a message of intergration left over from the original film. It also attempts to say much about accepting people for what’s on the inside, which was present in a fun manner without guilt.
The cast was spectacular especially Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Blonsky, Elijah Kelley, Amanda Bynes—who gave a nice character supporting role; however, John Travolta as Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s even larger mother, was the show’s weakest link.
Traditionally, the character of Edna is played by a female impersonator. The original film had a famed drag queen named Divine (Pink Flamingos), who appeared in nearly all of John Watters’ films while she was alive. The Broadway production offered Harvey Fierstein (Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day) as Edna, which won him the Tony for best actor. He also has a history as a female impersonator. Casting Travolta in the screen musical’s role only offered a high-dollar celebrity in drag, not a decent character.
Travolta went for as many laughs as he could, but Edna has many insecurities which were glossed over. Fierstein should have been the producers’ first and only choice to reprise this role.
That aside, “Hairspray” the musical is one of the best movies of the year (2007), and I hope it’s remembered when awards time rolls around.
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