Hairspray: Now That’s a Teaser
Try this. When you see the word “hairspray”, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? 99% of you will think Bimbo and the other 1%, well; you are just lying to be different. So when a movie called Hairspray hits the theatres, the teens are likely to think that this is an extension of high school flicks like Mean Girls or something. This generation should turn to their parents who will, to their utter surprise, smile in fond memory of the movie and want to catch it themselves.
Rating: 3/5
John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky in Hairspray
You see, Hairspray has a legacy behind it. It was first released in 1988 and had been directed by John Waters. After its phenomenal success, this musical found an apt outlet through Broadway and the stage. Choreographer turned director Adam Shankman took the chance before anyone else and made his own version of Hairspray; and what a chance he took! There is no doubt that this flick adds to the original’s value and Waters should be proud of it.
The film is set in 1962 in Baltimore and is about Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky), a sassy young teenager who has oodles of curves and flaunts it right. Her parents (John Travolta and Christopher Walken) are with her all the way, even when she decides to try out for the title of Miss Hairspray on a local channel. This is no ordinary pageant; it is about how well the girl dances. A young girl’s chance to be a dancer and get her ticket out of Baltimore - there are a lot of competitors. But Tracy sails through and gets an unbelievable amount of support. The station manager (Michelle Pfeiffer), starts fearing her appeal as she wants her daughter to win. As the fight for the title gets ugly, Tracy finds a great base in the Black community of Baltimore and gets involved in social activities to help them. As all good movies, there is a happy ending here too.
About the performances - well, Nikki Blonsky does a great job as Tracy and brings so much of grace to her dances that you don’t feel like comparing her to the original Tracy. Michelle Pfeiffer has delivered to the tee as the bitchy and conniving manager and wow! She is looking great! But the cake goes to Mr. John Travolta who is Tracy’s overweight mom because he is in drag and looks so cute! Though he has no one fooled, maybe that was his intention because every now and then, he keeps winking at the camera, as if sharing a private joke with us.
John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky in Hairspray
The choreography is innovative and refreshing. But then again, it has to be as the director knows so much about this genre. At times, you might find the songs unnecessary and interfering, but then all is forgiven because what we get is an excellent film with a lot of fun; not forgetting the feel good factor. It is my recommendation that you go to watch this film and take a trip into 1962-with the complete musical feel and color.
Rating: 3/5
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