Director: Adam Shankman
Starring: John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and Christopher Walken
‘A Marvellous Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have made films audiences treasure like Michelle Pfeiffer. Since her rise to recognition during the 1990’s, Pfeiffer has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s cat burglars, magical teachers or suspects of murders, Pfeiffer has played many powerful characters. Arguably, Pfeiffer’s strength as an actress has often been her strong commitment to her craft. She is one of those actresses that has always poured her heart and soul in each and every role. Pfeiffer has never been afraid taking risks in her career by playing complex heroines which aren’t always likeable. Through her ability to play characters which audiences can easily relate to, Pfeiffer has transformed into a celebrated actress that audiences value. Throughout her enduring career, Pfeiffer has made several unforgettable movies that are definitely worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Pfeiffer and admire all the movies she has made in her career. However, “Hairspray” is my favourite. Since is release in 2007, Adam Shankman’s movie has become a beloved musical classic. Packed with stunning production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s one of the best Broadway musical adaptations ever made. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Michelle Pfeiffer, who depicts a racist mom seeking success on a famous television show. Ultimately, what makes “Hairspray” a musical masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most Broadway adaptations, it tackles celebrated themes that everyone would relate to. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the Broadway musical to appreciate it. It delivers a powerful message about racism which would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing adaptation of a beloved musical, there are many reasons why “Hairspray” is a movie which is definitely worth seeing.
Based on the Broadway play, “Hairspray” tells a story of a teenage girl facing a price to pay. Nikki Blonsky portrays Tracy Turnblad, a bright teenage girl with big dreams. Tracy has always had dreams of becoming cast in a renowned television show. The Corny Collins Show is a renowned television show with high standards for its participants. Despite being overweight, Tracy is determined to achieve success in a show she has grown to appreciate. Assisted by her caring mother Edna (John Travolta), Tracy seeks success on competitive show. However, Tracy’s dreams of achieving success become ruined by prejudiced judges causing disaster. The female host of the show Velma (Michelle Pfeiffer) is an authoritarian woman that has high standards for success. As all odds are stacked against her favour, Tracy questions whether it’s possible to achieve success on a show causing disaster.
Adam Shankman is a newcomer towards the musical genre. Before he directed “Hairspray”, Shankman had never made a musical in his career before. Shankman was known for his romantic dramas. With “Hairspray”, however, he made his first Broadway adaptation. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt an iconic Broadway musical on the big-screen but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Shankman captures a teenage girl’s journey to discover her identity. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes. Inspired by Rob Marshall’s “Chicago”, Shankman effectively uses montages to capture a woman seeking to find her identity. For instance, music montages elevate the dance audition scene. During this unforgettable scene, Tracy performs a dance number at a school competition gaining the attention of a television show. One appreciates montages capturing the hardships that teen girls are always facing. Montages are tricky techniques to employ in movies. As Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” suggested, musical montages elevate movies about L.A. lovers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through stunning visuals, Shankman captures tensions that teenage girls seeking success in dance shows are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Hairspray” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely effective. Taking inspiration in Baz Luhrmann’s “Moulin Rouge!”, Shankman effectively uses production design to capture teenagers that compose melodies on television shows which shine. For instance, the set design of the show elevates the “New Girl in Town” musical dance number. During this memorable scene, Tracy is given a warm welcome to the television show by participants on the show. One appreciates production design capturing the lives of teen girls facing a decline. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Marc Shaiman’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a warm atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that teen girls in the 1960’s are facing. Through phenomenal production, Shankman honours a Broadway play about teenage girls facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Hairspray” is a captivating classic which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively employs dramatic monologues to adapt a Broadway musical. Throughout the movie, Shankman effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture the lives of teenage girls which seek success in the 1960’s. For instance, dramatic monologues elevate the mother daughter conversation scene. During this unforgettable scene, Tracy has a heartfelt conversation with her mother about her role in the television show. One appreciates dramatic monologues capturing the tensions adolescent girls in the 1960’s are always facing. Dramatic monologues are tricky techniques to employ in movies. As Robert Wise’s “Sound of Music” suggested, dramatic monologues elevate classic musicals. Gil Junger’s “10 Things I Hate About You” demonstrated that dramatic monologues elevate teen movies. However, it works immensely in this movie. Through an incredible screenplay, Shankman honours an iconic Broadway play that forever changed the world today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Michelle Pfeiffer delivers one of her best career performances as Velma. Pfeiffer first achieved appreciation for playing cat-burglars in comic-book movies. With “Hairspray”, however, the actress took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a legendary woman from a beloved Broadway play but she succeeds immensely. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. With “Hairspray”, the actress showcased rare flair for singing melodies that she hadn’t shown before in her career. With riveting expressions, she captures the angst, grief and jealousy of a woman seeking to control a television show. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actresses today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of appreciation. John Travolta is truly incredible, bringing charisma to a mother that supports her daughters’ dreams of becoming an actress in media. Christopher Walken is captivating, capturing the compassion of a father struggling to make ends meet during an era of racial segregation. Lastly, Zac Efron merits appreciation. As a television show dancer, he brings charisma to the movie.
Finally, “Hairspray” would earn appreciation of everyone for honouring the legacy of an iconic Broadway play. Unlike most Broadway musical adaptations, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes of identity, marriage and racism which resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with Broadway adaptations to admire it. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of finding one’s identity which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Hairspray” is one of those rare commemorated musicals everyone would adore.
Fans of Michelle Pfeiffer will definitely enjoy “Hairspray” and so will movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A riveting musical masterpiece, it honours an actress that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film that honoured an iconic Broadway play about women in the 1960’s wearing hairspray facing a painful price to pay, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to blow audiences away through being able to portray larger-than-life characters in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating today.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 