Confessions of a Hair Hopper
by Flick Chick Vique
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Hairspray ponies in with 5 Red Vines for being simply divine |
When it comes to hair, I have only one standard: the bigger the better! Curly, straight, dull or shiny is of no consequence, just make it BIG! So it should come as no surprise that I am a big fan of John Waters’ original Hairspray. With a fabulous cast, great music and dancing, and big hair on big women, it’s a crazy cool, eerily wholesome cult classic.
To this day I still feel that movie was ‘shear’ perfection not to be improved upon. For me, comparing Waters’ new musical version of Hairspray with his original is like comparing Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to Johnny Depp’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You can’t! Each version is its own unique animal and wonderful!
I am proud to report that John Waters’ new musical version of Hairspray is big, bouncy, and beautiful– just like my hair! Based on the Broadway musical, the movie chronicles the dance and romance dreams of young Tracy Turnblad in 1962’s segregated Baltimore.
Playing the part of Tracy in the original movie launched the career of then unknown Ricki Lake. I can only hope it does the same for Nikki Blonsky. Discovered in a national search, Miss Blonsky is the pure personification of bubbly! Her voice is sweet and clear and a pleasure to listen to. That is fortunate since she sings the majority of the songs. And boy can that gal shake a tale feather!
But the buzz surrounding the movie undoubtedly belongs to John Travolta for his hilarious transformation into Tracy’s mom, size 60 Edna Turnblad. I think it took a lot of courage to even attempt to erase the divine memory of ‘Divine’ as the big hearted, no nonsense momma. Yet, like Depp, Travolta has made this character his own creation, different yet comfortably familiar.
I think the most amazing part of his transformation was his ability to appear positively dainty despite his lumbering physique. Somewhat shy and very sweet, you can tell he’s having a blast and so will you watching him. And when he cuts loose to dance-watch out! A particularly favorite scene of mine was the pas de deux with his hubby, played by the deliciously quirky Christopher Walken. Travolta hand picked Walken to play Wilbur Turnblad and the decision was a wise one. Their chemistry is deliriously daffy!
Rounding out the cast is a wicked performance by Michelle Pfeiffer as the villainous Velma Von Tussle. Although I couldn’t help but wonder how great Debra Harry would have been if her version of Hairspray had been the musical. And while no one can question Queen Latifah’s great vocal chops, I felt her characterization of Motermouth Maybelle inferior to Ruth Brown’s. Once again, considering Ruth Brown’s vocal abilities, I also wonder how she would have been in this version.
Amanda Bynes does her best work yet as Tracy’s girlfriend with ‘jungle fever’. Zac Efron graduates from High School Musical to the big time as the object of Tracy’s affection, Link. Allison Janney and Jerry Stiller do great in their small roles. Yeah, Jerry who played Wilbur in the original makes a comeback as Mr. Pinky, purveyor of petti pants to the pudgy. His mere appearance sent giggles through the crowd! As another tip of the hat to the original, there is an appearance by Ricki Lake and even a walk on by John Waters himself.
But the real star of the show is the incredible chorus! They sing and dance their way through stages, city streets, hallways and crowded buses. No space is too small when you gotta mash a potato! And one of the best singer/dancers to emerge from the group is Elijah Kelly as Seaweed. I found him oddly reminiscent of a young Sammy Davis Jr. Keep your eye out for this up and comer.
Director/Choreographer Adam Shankman has poured as much love and energy into this musical Hairspray as Waters did with the original. The energy is infectious and so is the happiness. I’ve heard criticism that the segregation issue was too glossy compared to the original but I don’t think that is a fair analysis. What isn’t blatant is wonderfully suggested in lyrics with a bite. Which brings me to one of my few complaints. While the music is fun and oh so clever, I did find a lot of it to sound the same.
Overall, I simply loved this movie and I just know you will, too! So break out your bouffant best and head on over to Hairspray for the coolest summer treat with a terrific beat!
- Curious about the "buggy" history of hairspray? Click here!
- Click here for the top hairspray picks from the Women of 3TV.
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