Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1129 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-05-10
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 88 minutes

Synopsis
Baltimore, 1962. Ample, energetic teen Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake) wants nothing more than to get on hip local TV dance programme THE CORNY COLLINS SHOW. When she finally gets her way, her lively dance moves and bubbly personality are met with unexpected popularity, along with the ire of a fellow dancer, scheming Amber Von Tussle (Colleen Fitzpatrick). Furthermore, when she witnesses firsthand the terrible state of race relations in Baltimore, Tracy becomes an outspoken advocate for the de-segregation of THE CORNY COLLINS SHOW.
John Waters's first PG-rated film is also his most sweet-natured and accessible. Based on his appreciation of the real-life 1960s Baltimore dance programme THE BUDDY DEANE SHOW, Waters's affection for the era and attention to authenticity shines through. Lake, in her first film performance, radiates charm and enthusiasm. Divine, in his last (dual) role, appears as both Tracy's mother, Edna, and dastardly TV station manager Arvin Hodgepile. As if that weren't enough, an inspired cast of cameos (Pia Zadora, Ric Ocasek, Waters himself) and a virtual instruction manual of faddish period dances and their accompanying songs serve only to make the deal even sweeter.

Customer Reviews

Disappointed - Tries too hard
I was expecting really good things of this movie based on its reputation. No doubt the stage show works really well; the potential is clearly there. For me, John Waters messes this up by taking a gross and crude approach of self-parody and ridicule which for me served both to make it less funny and to reduce the impact of the racisim / sizism / corruption message. Subtly camp would have been much sharper, I feel. The pace falls flat, much of it is dull even with the spectacle of Divine the good dancing etc. I suspect I should have watched the 2007 version, which since it is not by John Waters probably does it better, but this has put me off - at least for quite a while.

Out with the new.
It takes some guts to attempt remake a classic; but the original is nearly always the best. Hairspray is a prime example. John Walter's original version has a true depth and charm that will hold its own against any comedy. And thanks to the remake, the original is once again taking centre stage in people's hearts.
MArk

Cult Movie of the 80's set in the 60's
Knowing that John Waters likes to make outrageous movies, "Hairspray" is an easy introduction to his movies. It portrays chubby teenager Tracy Turnbald (Ricki Lake) trying to help bring about integration in 1962 Baltimore, all in the context of hairstyles. Watching the movie, one gets the feeling that Waters long had a thing for beehive hairdos - I mean, look at Velma Von Tussle's (Deborah Harry). But overall, it's the sort of movie that you really wish that you could experience, especially when Penny's mother gets freaked out in the ghetto.

Anyway, you gotta love John Waters (who appears briefly as the psychiatrist) for making these kinds of flicks. Also starring Divine, Sonny Bono, Jerry Stiller and Mink Stole.