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"HAIRSPRAY" (PG)
"Hairspray" is a
light-hearted musical with a powerful message on acceptance
By Lee Hernandez
It would easy to chalk up "Hairspray," the
new movie musical adapted from John Waters' now legendary 1988 classic
with Rikki Lake, as a film made by a Gay director with an ardor for
bright colors and the usual gay stereotypes that often demean and
shortchange films by gay directors. But this new version of "Hairspray,"
vibrates with new energy and a startlingly talented cast that features
seasoned performers like Michelle Pfeiffer, John Travolta, Christopher
Walken, James Marsden, and Queen Latifah, along with new pulsating
talent erupting with vivacious spirit, including, Amanda Bynes, (the
cutest little thing to hit the screen since the little kid from "Jerry
Maguire)," Zac Efron, a talent in his own right with good looks,
strapping outfits, and a dancing ability that is sure to be the envy of
dancers on Broadway, as well as the bright eyed Nikki Blonsky who has
become a star overnight as a resultt of her great turn in this exciting
new film.
Elaborate costumes, stunning dance numbers and dancing that makes you
shake your feet in your seat, characterize this terrific ensemble about
a young "plump" woman named Tracy Turnblad eager to get on the Corny
Collins Show, an after school show featuring the talents of her thinner
peers. She makes it on to the show after being humiliated by an entire
room of naysayers, and gets the guy in the end as Tracy does in the
other "Hairspray" films.
John Travolta is as interesting as he's been on the screen in years. He
doesn't mess this role up, he doesn't turn it into a joke, and his final
dance at the end, is tons of fun, and I mean that literally, since he
dances carrying a fat suit. It's not likely, but Oscar could come
knocking on Travolta's door for this gimmicky but tender performance. We
welcome Michelle Pfeiffer back with open arms (although this isn't going
to get her an Oscar nomination, she's a legend and terrific in the film
as the villainous Velma Von Tussle).
If the film has a standout, it's Zac Efron, whose dancing ability,
characterization of a vain, but sincere dancer is dead-on. Charm is
something this kid's got a lot of, and I expect him to do big things and
have a splendid career.
The film's best songs are, of course, "You Can't Stop the Beat,"
"Without Love," and "Your Timeless to Me," and the wonderful executions
of such songs, happening indoors and out, with fast cuts ala Baz Lurhman
"Moulin Rouge," arrest our eyes on the screen, and keep us excited about
the story we are following.
As I said, it'd be easy to chalk the accomplishments of "Hairspray" up
to the fact that the director is gay and a former Choreographer, but
what I love about this film is that it is all inclusive, and doesn't
discriminate. It's not a gay person's film, it's a film about
acceptance, and its director emphasizes that throughout. A must see!
***/**** |
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