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Title: Hairspray (2007)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| John Travolta | ... | Edna Turnblad | |
| Michelle Pfeiffer | ... | Velma Von Tussle | |
| Christopher Walken | ... | Wilbur Turnblad | |
| Amanda Bynes | ... | Penny Pingleton | |
| James Marsden | ... | Corny Collins | |
| Queen Latifah | ... | Motormouth Maybelle | |
| Brittany Snow | ... | Amber Von Tussle | |
| Zac Efron | ... | Link Larkin | |
| Elijah Kelley | ... | Seaweed | |
| Allison Janney | ... | Prudy Pingleton | |
| Nikki Blonsky | ... | Tracy Turnblad | |
 |
Tayla Parx | ... | Little Inez (as Taylor Parks) |
| Jayne Eastwood | ... | Miss Wimsey | |
| Paul Dooley | ... | Mr. Spritzer | |
| Jerry Stiller | ... | Mr. Pinky | |
Tracy Turnblad, a teenager with all the right moves, is obsessed with the Corny Collins Show. Every day after school, she and her best friend Penny run home to watch the show and drool over the hot Link Larkin, much to Tracy's mother Edna's dismay. After one of the stars of the show leaves, Corny Collins holds auditions to see who will be the next teen regular. With the help of her friend Seaweed, Tracy is chosen, angering evil dance queen Amber Von Tussle and her mother Velma. Tracy then decides that it's not fair that black kids can only dance on the show once a month (on "Negro Day"), and with the help of Seaweed, Link, Penny, Motormouth Maybelle, her father, and Edna, she's going to integrate the show.....without denting her 'do. Written by leoprez1030
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Had it not been for a free pass to an advance screening, I must admit that my friends would have had trouble getting me to see 'Hairspray.' I don't mind musicals but 'Hairspray' didn't seem like something I'd enjoy. Not for the first time in my life was I wrong.
'Hairpsray' is about tolerance, integration and acceptance of others. The film uses the racial divide between blacks and whites but the subtext of the film is Heterosexuals and Homosexuals. 'Hairspray' viciously lampoons bigots and reserves specific devastation for Ultra-conservative religious zealots, figures of authority and WASPs. The satire is white hot (Alison Janney steals every scene she is in), the music catchy, the movie's spirit is irreverent.
I had no problems with the cast and their performances. John Travolta isn't bad and when he gets his chances to dance he's great fun. Christopher Walken and Travolta have a song and dance number duet that rates among the best moments of the film and isn't to be missed. Queen Latifah adds some dignity and balance while Michelle Pfeiffer plays a terrific screen villainess. Amanda Bynes has few lines to deliver but gives perfect comic deadpan when she does for excellent comic effect. Keep a sharp eye out for the hilarious John Waters cameo during the opening number.
Of recent major movie musicals, this is easily better than 'The Producers,' (better comedy and music) and last year's 'Dreamgirls' (weaker songs but better pacing and strong beyond the first half). Although it doesn't have the star power or scale, I also prefer it to 'Chicago' -- 'Hairspray' takes itself less seriously and not many movies have me laughing and smiling from start to finish. If you're looking for a little pure counter-culture escapist fun, 'Hairpsray' is your movie.