Caffeinated Clint
Moviehole previews the upcoming musical
LOS ANGELES. Summer is fast approaching an the studios are bracing themselves for one frenetic, competitive summer movie season. While many online press have so far been treated to sneak peaks of the likes of ‘Shrek the Third’ and ‘Spider-Man’, even fewer were invited to the first sneak of ‘Hairspray’. While this movie version of the hit Broadway musical may not be as big as those other films, it nonetheless looks stunning. Directed with what looks like a stupendous visual flair by Adam Shankman, who introduced the footage screened at a Beverly Hills screening room, the story comes cinematically to life. Nikki Bronsky in her professional acting debut [what a way to cut your teeth] sings and charms her way into the pivotal role of chubby outsider Tracy Turnblad who teaches 1962 Baltimore teens and society about acceptance and racial equality. Highlighted by such memorable songs and Good Morning Baltimore, Welcome to the 60s, (It’s) Hairspray and Big, Blonde and Beautiful, Shankman’s film version looks visually striking, brassy and consistently energetic. While Travolta’s Edna is initially jarring, he seems to comedically settle into the role donning a thick, Baltimore accent. Costumes and production design encapsulate the period and the film seems to give the original musical added depth.
While New Line has quite a challenge marketing Hairspray to a crossover audience, fans of Travolta and the indomitable Queen Latifah will flock to see this gorgeous, funny, spunky film which explores post 50-s American morality and race in Kennedy’s America. Michelle Pfeiffer, in her first musical since Grease, looks deliciously antagonistic, as does the beautiful Brittany Snow. But the film is, at its core, Nikki Bronsky, whose dynamic voice and clear acting chops makes this unforgettable youngster someone to watch for. Yes, the man who made The Pacifier [which I rather liked I must confess] has taken John Waters’ original film, combined it with the fabulous musical of the stage, and from what I saw, has crafted a punchy, fun-filled slice of pure entertainment. In his introduction, Shankman begged the press to be kind, “because I didn’t hurt your grandparents”. He also assured us that “the movie is a zillion times better and this was the most amazing thing to have happened to me.” Shankman has little to be worried about, as it looks as if with Hairspray, the director has reenergised the movie musical.
‘Hairspray’ opens nationally in July.
– PAUL FISCHER
