Hairspray
John Travolta stars as Edna
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Saturday, 21, Jul 2007 05:06
Directed by Adam Shankman, out July 21st, starring John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicole Blonksy and Zac Efron, running time 115 mins.
In a nutshell.
Chirpy, funny, bland musical numbers
What's it all about?
John Travolta returns to his musical roots, and to form, in the role of an insecure, overweight housewife. The action centres on Tracy Turnblad's efforts to become one of the regulars on the Corny Collins Show and to win the heart of the show's resident hunk, Link Larkin, played by Zac Efron.
Set in the '60s, this is Grease with a PC message delivered in the form of highly un-PC jokes. Tracy's advocacy of "integration not segregation" lends the frivolous fun a serious point and makes for a far less homogenous cast. It's a film which leaves you feeling great rather than good, and is full of heart as well as belly laughs.
Who's it by
Nikki Blonsky, 18 years old and fresh out of high school, stars as Tracy, whose mantra of self-acceptance cannot stop the relentless references to her size. John Travolta is her overbearing, ineffectual mum Edna, who is married to the zany but loveable Wilbur.
Michelle Pfeiffer does an evil turn as Velma Von Tussle, while Brittany Snow plays her spoilt daughter Amber. Meanwhile Queen Latifah has possibly the best character name in history as Motormouth Maybelle and equally good lines.
As an example.
"Who wants a twig when you can climb the whole tree?" - from Big, Blonde and Beautiful.
"Once I was a selfish fool who never understood, never looked inside my self though on the outside I looked good! Then we met and you made me the man I am today. Tracy I'm in love with you, no matter what you weigh" - from Without Love.
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Less likely than Tracy giving up chocolate. As well as eight Tony awards, the show won a Grammy in 2002 but this film version lacks the va va voom required for recognition from the music industry's Oscars.
So is it any good?
Even more remarkable than Travolta's willingness to dress in drag is the fact that his knockout performance does not eclipse a fantastic ensemble cast. Newcomer Nikki Blonsky and lesser-known Elijah Kelley and Taylor Parks mingle with big names Michelle Pfeiffer and the irrepressible Queen Latifah, and more than hold their own.
Blonsky is extremely likeable and convincing as Tracy. However, as the star, she does the most singing of all the cast members, which is a shame because hers is one of the weaker voices.
This means there is less input from Elijah Kelley (Seaweed) and Taylor Parks (Little Inez) both of whom are vastly more talented vocally. This is blatant on standout tracks Run and Tell That and Without Love. Queen Latifah also contributes a fantastic performance which has the finesse at times lacking in her Chicago role.
9/10
Meghan Graham