Hairspray

Hairspray (2007)

8 out of 10

Running time: 1:47

MPAA rating: PG (Language, some suggestive content and momentary teen smoking.)

Peruvian rating: Apta para Todos

Cast: Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Amanda Bynes, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifa, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Marsden, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley.
Director: Adam Shankman
Script: Leslie Dixon, based on the musical by Mark O'Donnell, based on the 1988 screenplay by John Waters

Photography: Bojan Bazelli
Score: Marc Shaiman
Distributor: New Line Cinema

I was surprised by Hairspray. Before watching this movie, I’d never heard about the original 1988 film or the stage musical. While after watching the movie I haven’t become exactly a fan, I plan to watch the original movie someday. (Until that moment, I can’t compare both versions.) In any case, this year’s version is nothing short of enjoyable. Yes, it’s not a masterpiece and isn’t on the same league as Oscar-winner Chicago or even Moulin Rouge, but it’s escapist, light and fun entertainment. The songs are catchy and the performances are sweet but, most importantly, the movie never bores.

The movie tells the story of teenager Tracy Turnbald (Nikki Blonsky), who resides in 1962 Baltimore and dreams on appearing on a TV show with her idol, Corny Collins (James Mardsen.) She and her best friend Penny (Amanda Bynes) rush to her house from school every day to watch the programme, even though her insanely obese mother (John Travolta) doesn’t think she has any chance of appearing on the show. Tracy dreams of being a TV star, though, something which is nurtured by his father, Wilbur. (Christopher Walken.) When the show opens tryouts, Tracy is the first to arrive and, even though she’s quickly dismissed by the show producer, Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer), Corny likes her and gives her the opportunity. She becomes a sensation. Velma tries to stop this by canceling “Negro Tuesdays”, and Tracy joins an integration march and is soon looked by the cops when she’s unfairly accused of assaulting a cop.

The film, being a musical, has its songs as a main attraction, and it delivers. The tunes are not exactly memorable, but after the seeing the movie for the first time about a month ago, I still can hum one or two of them. The great thing is that the actors seem to be enjoying themselves, and there’s almost not a single grim moment in the whole movie. Some people might think it’s too much saccharine for them, but it never becomes excessive. Nikki Blonsky as Tracy is amazing; she’s extremely talented, and explodes – not literally, of course – in every scene she’s in. Amanda Bynes as her best friend is surprisingly effective, Christopher Walken is good too, and Michelle Pfeiffer is suitably evil as the movie’s main “villain.” John Travolta, as Tracy’s mother also surprised me. Even though I always knew “she” was Travolta, she also works as a character, and there were some moments in the film in which I didn’t notice I was seeing a man inside a drag suit instead of an extremely fat woman. The man may not be as agile as in his Grease or Saturday Night Fever days, but he nevertheless shines in the musical sequences.

In technical terms there’s not much to say, but the film is nonetheless effective. The set design is both believable and wacky and, along with the costumes and especially the hairstyles, immediately transports the audience to the 1960s. Additionally, the movie addresses the social unrest that was going on at the time and, although because of the PG rating it’s done in a “light” and “not-too-realistic” kind of way, it’s compelling. Yes, it may not be the centre theme of the movie, but the viewer will get the message, and never turns the movie into a downer. The filmmakers tried to maintain a balance between the musical aspects and the message about “racism is evil”, and it succeeds.

Hairspray is a highly-enjoyable film. It boasts energetic and convincing performances, almost-memorable musical sequences and tunes, and an interesting plot which ends up being a mixture of the dreams of a teenager and an anti-racism message. Yes, the balance is not perfect, but the film never becomes grim or depressing, and the message comes through. I didn’t know what to expect from Hairspray when I entered the theatre, but I left pleasantly surprised. It’s not the best musical I’ve ever seen, but it’s recommendable, light and fun entertainment.