The film Text copyright (c) Filmverdict 2006-present. Any film titles and artwork used are copyright of their respective owners.
Who would have thought that John Travolta's return to the film musical, after making his name with genre classics Grease and Saturday Night Fever in the 70s, would involve him donning a fat suit and playing a middle-aged housewife? When the news emerged it recalled such paycheque-chasing travesties as Martin Lawrence's Big Momma's House or Eddie Murphy's recent Norbit (both of which were inexplicable box office hits), and Travolta's choice of projects lately has left a bit to be desired. The recruiting of the not-exactly-critically-acclaimed Adam Shankman (The Pacifier, Cheaper by the Dozen 2) to direct seemed like another nail in the coffin. Well, whether through skill or blind luck - I'd actually argue the former considering how good the film is - Hairspray has turned out to be an unexpected gem.
Part of the film's success is undoubtedly due to the source material. Like 2005's The Producers, Hairspray is a film adapted from a Broadway stage musical that was itself adapted from a non-musical film. John Waters, the director of the original, features in a brief but funny cameo in the film's opening number, "Good Morning Baltimore". The song kicks things off in style and is a precursor to the sort of catchy, toe-tapping tunes that pepper the film. The story's idealised 1960s setting is reflected in both the music and the lavish production values. What starts out as a paean to a mythical lost era actually ends up having a point to make, dealing with the issue of racial segregation whilst poking fun at antiquated racist attitudes, from which it draws plenty of humour.
Nikki Blonsky, who makes her excellent screen debut with this film, plays focal character Tracy Turnblad, a Baltimore teenager who idolises local TV presenter Corny Collins (a never better James Marsden) and longs to be a dancer on his show. The opportunity presents itself, but there's one problem: short and stout, Tracy doesn't exactly look like your typical all-American girl. Blonsky is terrific, and is aided by a superb cast - Travolta is a surprising joy as her mother, and her father is Christopher Walken, again exercising his dancing muscles since his famous appearance in Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice" music video and stealing several of the film's biggest laughs. Michelle Pfeiffer also clearly enjoys her role as a bitchy TV station manager. The younger cast members all shine too, with not a single bum note to be found.
The final act may lack the quality of songs in the first two thirds and the moralising at times verges on preachy, but it's a film whose flaws are easy to forgive. Hairspray has shown great legs at the US box office and it is a film that thoroughly deserves its success. The early fears were, for once, unfounded.
The summary
Get past the usual problems with musicals (i.e. accepting people spontaneously bursting into song) and Hairspray is a lot of fun. A great cast and great songs make for a memorable musical delight.
