| Hedwig and the Angry Inch |
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| Rating: Good Distributor: Fine Line Pictures Release Date: August 3rd, 2001 (limited) Running Length: 1 hour, 35 minutes MPAA Rating: R Genre: Rock Musical Director: John Cameron Mitchell Cast: John Cameron Mitchell, Miriam Shor, Stephen Trask, Theodore Liscinski, Rob Campbell, Michael Aronov, Andrea Martin, Alberta Watson, Michael Pitt, and Maurice Dean Wint. |
| Plot: Hedwig (John Cameron Mitchell) is born in East Berlin. His youth is painful, and his parents were unkind to him. However, he loved rock music and it helps him in his youth. He falls in love with a U.S. officer and marries him. To move to the United States with the officer he must undergo a sex change operation. However the surgeon who performs the operation leaves him with a wound, and afterwards Hedwig is neither a man, nor a woman. They move to the United States, but the officer leaves him for another boy. He is left to his own devises. Hedwig grows as a rock musician, and later has a relationship with a young man (Michael Pitt). However, they eventually fall apart and the young becomes a successful rock musician under the name Tommy Gnosis. The problem is Tommy is using Hedwig's material to become famous. Hedwig tours with a band and follows Gnosis so that he can sue him. |
| Critique: Hedwig and the Angry Inch is well acted, and offers a very unique product. Indeed, one does not come across a rock musical about a transvestite very often. The film offers a unique perspective on the world, and it contains interesting characters. The performances are all very good; John Cameron Mitchell is strong at the lead, and Miriam Shor is terrific as his tortured companion. The film has many interesting methods of presentation, including abstract cartoon images that accompany the songs. 'Hedwig' is a fresh and funny motion picture, and its unusual visuals are fascinating. The characters are wonderfully constructed, and carefully etched. The characters hold the film together, even through its rough spots. One of those rough spots is the final half hour. Indeed, throughout the first hour the narrative is very strong, but in the last half hour it seems Mitchell tries to wrap up his story too quickly. Still, its characters keep the film alive in that final segment. Mitchell should be commended for creating such intriguing personalities and portraying the characters with such careful sensitivity. The film's strength in that area easily eclipses a few mistakes in the storyline. Hedwig and the Angry Inch is affecting and honest. Even though it utilizes several unusual visual techniques, the film has a real life quality. That quality allows the viewer to be involved with the characters. This quality also gives the film a certain charm. Indeed, 'Hedwig' is a very likable film. It is genuine and it has spirit. John Cameron Mitchell delivers fantastic direction and creats these elements in the film. In conclusion, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is remarkable motion picture. It is engaging and contains spirited characters. I highly recommend Hedwig and the Angry Inch, an involving motion picture. review by supernothingman |
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