“Hairspray” (New Line Cinema)
“Grease” For A New Generation
In 1978 John Travolta became a movie legend with his role in the eternally popular “Grease.” Now twenty-nine years later Travolta is still around and he is back in another movie musical. This one is titled “Hairspray” and it is going to be just as popular as “Grease” and will stir the hearts and souls of a new generation. Travolta is the man (or in this movie “the woman”) and “Hairspray” is going to jump start his career and possibly get him an Oscar nomination to boot.
“Hairspray” tells the story of Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky), a chunky teenager living in Baltimore in the 60’s. Her biggest thrill is watching the “Corny Collins Show” on television and dreaming of one day being a dancer on the show. Her best friend Penny (Amanda Bynes) encourages her dreams.
Tracy’s mother Edna (John Travolta) downplays these dreams because she doesn’t want Tracy hurt. Her dad Wilbur (Christopher Walken) tells her to go for it. One day she does and ends up dancing on the show. She is so good that she proves to be much more popular than Amber (Brittany Snow) who has been the featured favorite in the past. This is because her mother Velma (Michelle Pfeiffer) is the producer of the show and makes sure she gets ample camera time.
Once a week there is “Negro Day” when the host is not Corny (James Marsden) but Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah). Her son Seawood Stubbs (Elijah Kelly) is quite a dancer and he catches Tracy’s eye. The two become friends and this leads to Tracy standing up for the show to be integrated.
Amid all of this plot are musical numbers by the score. Every star gets a number or two and each of them makes the most of the entertainment offering. Blonsky is the featured player and she is letter perfect in the role, but the one everyone has come to see is Travolta. He is amazing as the plus size mother who giggles and glows. What a performance and what a role! Many actors would have steered clear of it, but Travolta embraces it.
Queen Latifah got an Academy Award nomination for her role in “Chicago” and she may get another one for this film. She is a solid actress and her voice has never been better. Michelle Pfeiffer is also wonderful as the evil Velma. This actress is too thin but she has honed her comedy chops and pleases the audience over and over again.
The two big surprises in the film are Bynes and Kelly. They have supporting roles but they are the ones who stay in your mind after the movie has ended. Bynes is hilarious with her big-eyed stare and her perpetual awe at Tracy’s dynamic drive. Kelly is a find as a song and dance man and shows talent that he should be much too young to posses.
The film is rated PG for mild profanity and some sexual situations.
“Hairspray” is full of so much charm that it overflows. It is deliriously driven with no slacking of the frenetic pace from beginning to end It is exuberant and totally enjoyable. Remember that old phrase “Grease is the one” Well in 2007 “Hairspray” is the one – the one to go to see for total movie enjoyment.
I scored “Hairspray” a lacquered 9 out of 10.
