Oftentimes, musicals are lost in translation on the way to the big screen, but in ’07, the best musical since the film version of Chicago came to theaters. Hairspray, the energetic and delightful Broadway musical, has now burst onto the movie scene, big hair and all, gathering fans of all ages.
Based on the popular Broadway musical, Hairspray begins in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1962. Tracy Turnblad (Nicole Blonsky), the hefty teen with a heart as big as her hair, wants to be on the ?hip and groovy? local TV dance show, The Corny Collins Show. The dance show is made up of teenagers, including the most popular guy in school, Link Larkin (Zac Efron), whom Tracy has a crush on.
While Tracy struggles to prove that big is beautiful and that she can dance as well as the stars, others try to crush her dream. The manager of The Corny Collins Show, Velma Von Tussle, (Michelle Pfeiffer) and her daughter Amber (Brittany Snow) try to put Amber in the spotlight with Link in order to win Miss Teenage Hairspray, the show’s annual beauty pageant.
It has always been Tracy?s dream to be on The Corny Collins Show. When an opportunity to audition for the show arises, Tracy is “up for it”. However, her withdrawn and rotund mother Edna Turnblad (tastefully played drag-queen style by John Travolta) fears that Tracy’s size will hinder her in the spotlight.
When Tracy makes some African-American friends in detention, she learns new dance moves from Seaweed J. Stubbs (Elijah Kelley). She uses them at the ?hop dance? to get noticed by Corny Collins (James Marsden). Finally, Tracy is chosen for role on The Corny Collins Show.
Once a month on The Corny Collins Show, Negro Day is hosted by Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah). The show features Seaweed and other African-Americans. Tracy, disagreeing with the controversial issue, announces on live TV that she wishes that everyday was Negro day.
Tracy, along with her African-American friends, protest against segregation at the TV station, raising debate and forcing Tracy into hiding; while on the run from the authorities, she must find a way to sneak into The Corny Collins Show to dance her way to the top of the Miss Teenage Hairspray competition.
All ends well on live television: Velma is fired after caught cheating in the pageant, Tracy gets the guy of her dreams, and Corny Collins announces that The Corny Collins Show is officially integrated.
The Broadway show Hairspray translated to the big screen magnificently, with a few small plot twists added and the songs as lively as ever. As Tracy, newcomer Blonsky was able to add her own personality into the role. Due to her success in Hairspray, her first role in film, Blonsky has been cast in several upcoming TV and movie roles.
While younger fans of the film will recognize Efron as Troy Bolton from Disney Channel’s hit series, High School Musical, he made a name for himself in Hairspray, drawing an even wider fan base of teenage girls.
Hairspray is not only a fun musical that made me want to sing and dance along, it also teaches a great lesson about not judging a book by its cover. The issue of segregation, well and alive in the 60s, was addressed tastefully and truthfully.
Not only will parents enjoy the family content, kids will be encouraged to chase their dreams. The uplifting tone and important message makes this movie a must-see for all family members.
Hairspray is rated PG for language, some suggestive content and momentary teen smoking. It is now available on DVD everywhere. For buying information, visit Amazon.