Hairspray (2007)

Star Review

Hairspray bounces back onto the silver screen in an all-star musical remake of John Water’s 1988 celebration of interracial love and the fuller figure.

For the uninitiated, Hairspray tells the tale of Tracy Turnblad (newcomer Nikki Blonsky ably filling Ricky Lake’s beehive), whose dumpy radiance lights up dreary Baltimore like a candle, and whose dreams of dancing on her beloved Corny Collins Show suddenly come true.

But the Corny Collins show is segregated, and the station’s manager (Michelle Pfeiffer) wants to keep it that way. So can Tracy fulfil her goal of making “every day Negro day”? And will she coax her mother (John Travolta in a fat suit) out of the house to rejoin the swinging sixties?

Director/Choreographer Adam Shankman preserves the original’s fresh-faced innocent charm, and the song and dance numbers (imported from the Broadway musical) are perfectly in keeping with the spirit of John Water’s original.

The result is almost unduly feelgood, and if seeing Christopher Walken dance doesn’t bring a smile to your face and a tap to your toe, you’ll need a little stronger than hairspray to keep you stiff.

Milo Wakelin on 30th October 2007

View all 45 of Milo Wakelin’s reviews

[ Show Film Description ]

Film Description

This colourful remake of the John Waters classic captures the spirit and fun of the original, and adds several new songs into the mix.

The film tells the tale of Tracy Turnblad (played by newcomer Nikki Blonsky), whose dumpy radiance lights up dreary Baltimore like a candle, and whose dreams of dancing on her beloved Corny Collins Show suddenly come true.

But the Corny Collins Show is segregated, and the show’s evil producer (Michelle Pfieffer, who seems to be carving out a niche for herself playing bitches and witches) wants to keep it that way - and she’s not too keen on having a fatty like Tracy eclipsing her daughter, also a dancer on the show.

Can Tracy fulfil her goal of making “every day Negro day”? Will she coax her mother (John Travolta, unrecognisable in a fat suit) out of the house? Is big really beautiful? Will Sonny Bono have a cameo?

Watch and find out!

[ Show Star Review ]

this film is fantastic! the songs and stars are brillliant. this film is a 100%must watch if u are a musical lover eagre to jump up and dance along!!!

i love ... more >

this film is fantastic! the songs and stars are brillliant. this film is a 100%must watch if u are a musical lover eagre to jump up and dance along!!!

i love it!!! < less

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Film Details

Cast

John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, James Marsden, Jerry Stiller, Amanda Bynes, Queen Latifah, Nikki Blonsky

Technical Details

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