Joe Barber Reviews “HAIRSPRAY”

by Joe Barber on Jul.20, 2007, under Joe Barber's Movie Reviews

Musicals have taken some interesting turns in making their way to the big screen in recent years.Â Along with the traditional practice of making movies out of popular stage musicals, producers have recently turned to non-,musical films for material for both mediums.Â John Waters’ `1988 cult hit “Hairspray” made the move to Broadway and won several Tony Awards as a musical in 2003.Â Now the producers of the Oscar-winning film version of “Chicago” have brought the musical version of “Hairspray” back to where the story began.Â This smart and energetic adaptation delivers a delightful treat to mid-summer moviegoers of all ages.

Set in Baltimore in 1962, the film follows the adventures of a teenager named Tracy Turnblad (newcomer Nikki Blonsky in a career-making first movie role.)Â A smart and sensitive girl, Tracey’s big dream is to appear on the “Corny Collins Show,” a local, daily teen dance program, not unlike “American Bandstand.”Â She also dreams of catching the eye-and heart-of the show’s most popular male dancer, Luke.Â Tracy holds tight to her dreams, despite the opposition of her mother, Edna (John Travolta) and the fact that she’s shorter and heavier than the “teen queens” that appear on the show.

Edna’s objections have more to do with fears that her daughter, like herself, will be mocked a mistreated for her ssize.Â Despite this, Tracy tries out and, thanks to luck, coinsidence and Collins’ desire to shake up hiss show, she’s picked for the show.Â Love also appears as Luke takes notice of and grows closer to Tracy.Â When she tries to use her newly won fame to fight for black kids to dance with white kids on the show, Tracy suddenly finds all she’s worked for and dreamed of, as well as her freedom, about to disappear.

From the opening number, “Good Morning Baltimore,”Â director Adam Shenkman

works to strike a balance between the story’s embracing of the conventions of the era it’s set in and the lyrics of the songs, which slyly and subversively comment on and mock those smae conventions.Â This balance draws both audience attention and interest, engaging viewers while also informing them without becoming preachy or strident.Â Shenkman’s choreography expertly re-creates the moves of the day while making thos moves and dances fit all the characters like a glove.

Blonsky’s exhuberant and charming performance is surrounded by a cast of sure-handed old pros who do terrific turns here.Â Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes and Michelle Pfiffer all shine as Tracy’s dad, best friend and television station manager nemisis, respectively.Â Queen Latifah turns in yet another M.V.P. performance as “Motormouth” Mabel, Corny Collins’ co-host on “Negro Day,” when black kids and acts appear on Corny’s show.

It is only John Travolta’s performance as Edna that keeps me fromn giving “Hairspray” four stars.Â Unlike both Harvey Firestein and Bruce Villanch, who played Edna on Broadway and Devine, who had the role in Waters’ version, Travolta goes too far with the fat suit and makeup.Â He forgets that the audience is in on the joke that Edna’s being played by a man and creates a character that seems out of place here, ironically, in a story about so-called outsiders making a place for themselves in society.Â And plese, don’t get me started on his “Baltimore” accent, hon.

Despite this flaw, “Hairspray” is a wonderful film to watch and experience, full of joy and high spirits.Â Thiose old enough to remember shows like Corny’s will enjoy the trip back to the past and younger viewers will learn something.Â Everyone will have a great time.Â Forget Charm City and get to the nearest theater for a trip to Baltimore, via “Hairspray.”Â You’ll be glad you did.

MPAA RATING: PG for mild profanity and mild sexual content .
JOE’S RATING:THREE AND A HALF STARS.