Hairspray
Rated: PG 
In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I have never seen John Waters’ 1988 cult classic Hairspray nor have I seen the stage musical based on the film. The 2007 musical adaptation of the stage adaptation of the film is my first arrival into this universe and while director/choreographer Adam Shankman isn’t the best tour guide, the music and the performances made it a joyous visit. Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) auditions for a TV dance show and despite her unconventional appearance, her magnetic personality and sweet moves land her the gig, fame, and the chance to be close to her crush, Link Larkin (Zac Efron). But Tracy’s big waist and even bigger heart threaten the treacherous mother-daughter duo of Velma and Amber von Tussle (Michelle Pfieffer and Brittany Snow) and as Tracy begins to move beyond her individual goals to the more universal good of integration, she’ll risk her dreams to do what’s right. If you’re not cheering for that, you’re a racist and you hate fat people. The film’s big hook for those not already acquainted with the 1988 film or the Broadway musical is John Travolta in fat-drag playing Tracy’s mother. It’s bizarre and unncessary but absolutely adorable. While Travolta doesn’t have the musical talent of adult co-stars Pfieffer and Queen Latifah, he’s mostly there for acting and presence and he delivers both with warmth and charm. However, the music and the cast have too much energy to resist and in a summer filled with ready-made franchises designed to appeal mostly to 13 to 30 year old men, Hairspray is a film that can appeal to everyone who’s been dragged to the theatre this summer by their son, boyfriend, and/or husband. Words by |