Hairspray Will Knock Your Socks Off

Hairspray will knock your socks off. The 2007 Hairspray is a delightful remake of the original 1988 John Waters film (which was made into a Broadway musical in 2002). From stunning start to uplifting finish, you will be held hostage, in the best way, by this wonderful film.

John Travolta stars as the overweight but underrated Edna, mother of Tracy Turnblad, a teen with big dreams. Travolta's performance in Hairspray is as endearing as it is hilarious. I saw Hairspray in a multiplex theatre and watched as people of all ages trickled in to see the show. I had a feeling that the prospect of seeing John Travolta as a woman was a lure for many in the audience. I was right. The audience had been typically reserved until the moment John Travolta appeared on screen. The theatre filled with hoots and cackles of delight at the fat suit, prosthetics, and makeup required to turn the macho star into the sweet Edna Turnblad.

Christopher Walken plays Edna's sincere, caring, and funny husband. The on-screen chemistry between Travolta and Walken works oddly well! In the Hairspray roles, Christopher Walken and John Travolta have both stepped a distance from their usual roles--which makes the movie all the more interesting.

Edna's daughter, Tracy Turnblad, is played by Nikki Blonsky, a fantastic young actress who plays the part with appropriate flair and gusto. Tracy wants with all her heart to be on the Corny Collins show, but her dream is temporarily smashed due to the snobby Velma, played perfectly by Michelle Pfeiffer.

Fortunately, after Tracy learns some great dance moves from one of her new African American friends, she is able to catch the eye of Corny Collins himself, as well as her dream boy Link Larkin, played by Zac Efron.

At the heart of Hairspray is the issue of segregation. Tracy's dream of being on television is replaced by her dream of seeing an end to segregation. The Corny Collins show sets aside one day as "Negro Day", when African Americans are allowed on the show. Even on Negro Day, however, the black kids are separated from the white kids by a dividing rope strung down the middle of the dance floor.

Queen Latifah gives a stunning performance as Motormouth Maybelle, the hostess of Negro Day on the Corny Collins show. Latifah, with her strong, powerful presence was the ideal choice for this part. Her expressions speak volumes and she brings the necessary serious undertone to the film.

Unfortunately, the racist Velma soon brings Negro Day to an end. Motormouth Maybelle and the black dancers are no longer allowed on the show at all. To find out how and why this happened, you will have to see the movie. I don't want to spoil it for you.

Don't miss the cameo performances by John Waters and Ricki Lake. John Waters is the flasher in the opening scenes of the film. Ricki Lake, who played Tracy Turnblad in the original Hairspray, makes a brief appearance towards the end of the new Hairspray--pay close attention or you will miss her. She is one of the darkly clothed agents who've come to watch the Miss Teenage Hairspray competition.

Hairspray is a must-see! This is a perfect fun film with a message. If seeing John Travolta as Edna isn't a big enough draw for you, perhaps the wonderful musical score will be.