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| Stars: | John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer Christopher Walken, James Marsden, Zac Efron, and Nikki Blonski |
| Director: | Adam Shankman |
| Genre: | Musical |
| Story: | The story revolves around Tracy Turnblad (Blonski), an teenage girl who dreams of an equal and oppresion-free world. With such idealism in her mind, she tries out for a spot in her favorite TV show. There, she encounters the harsh reality of black/white separation, obesity, and imperfection. Nevertheless, she fights for her beliefs and triumphs in the end. |
| Rating: | 4 / 5 |
(I heard that Hairspray: the Musical was coming to Manila, so I decided to relive the movie experience before indulging myself to yet another thespian treat.)
The movie is everything that a person can want in a film. It's entertaining, emotional, and meaningful. It is amazing how they were able to integrate social issues with music and laughter.
When I first watched this last year (in Greenbelt 3, I think), I had no idea as to what it was about. I only knew that John Travolta played a woman in this movie. That was enough to push me to watch it (I am a Travolta fan. His ability to adapt to any role fascinates me). While watching it though, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't think that I would like this movie so much. But like it, I do (emulating Yoda here).
Let's start with the performances. As expected, Travolta is amazing. In perhaps his most gender-bending role, he continues to triumph. He and Christopher Walken has great chemistry on screen (how weird does this sentence sound?). Michelle Pfeiffer and Zac Effron are also very good as they played their respective roles. For a newcomer, Nikki Blonski charms the audience in a big way (pun intended). However, the one who takes the stage and calls it her own is Queen Latifah. True to her name, the Queen comes with a very strong performance. Through her, you can easily feel the hardship and the hope of the blacks in the 60s. Considering that the movie is meant to be comedic, feeling strong emotions for the plight of the blacks is nothing short of impossible. Nevertheless, she takes the audience with her in the march to freedom and respect the moment she sings "There's a light in the darkness, though the night is black as my skin. There's a light burning bright, showing me the way, but I know where I've been."
Another treat that the movie provides is the great collection of tunes. Having generally sweet and simple melodies, the film creates instantaneous LSS for anyone who watches it. For sure, after watching, you are left singing (at least in your mind, but I highly doubt that the song will stay there) "Good Morning Baltimore" or "I Can Hear the Bells." What's great though is the layering of tunes. From being perky and nice, the songs become motown, soul, and dance. The difference in the musical genre though only fuses the story better, rather than distracting the audience.
The real triumph though lies in the social meaning of the movie. While the story is put in the context of the 1960s, the issues mentioned remain timeless. Oppression and inequality still abound. While the Blacks may have been integrated (though this remains highly questionable), the Latins and the Asians are now the objects of spite. The world remains racist, glorifying the white gods while putting down all others.
Obesity, another theme of the movie, is also an issue that raises the eyebrows of most people. The medical aspect, that it puts the person suffering from it in medical danger, is fully acceptable to those who are obese. However, this is not the main concern of most people. It is their perception of beauty that puts the fat people in such misery. Because "slim is in," anyone who isn't is treated with attitude approaching disdain.
The movie approaches these subjects with the idealism of a sheltered teenage girl. It encourages for a more optimistic view on racial equality and beauty. It teaches people that being different from the ideal is not a big deal, that people should be accepted for who they are. Unfortunately, like the film, there is a big gap between what is ideal and what is real.
For me, Hairspray is a triumph because not only does it serve a great helping of entertainment, but more so because it provides a good dose of lessons. People must learn. We all know where we've been, and it's no good going back.
