Hairspray (2007)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Adam Shankman

Writers (WGA):

Leslie Dixon (screenplay)
John Waters (1988 screenplay)

Release Date:

20 July 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

Get ready for something big July 20th!

Plot:

Pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad teaches 1962 Baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local TV dance show.

Plot Keywords:

Dance | Audition | Best Friend | Television | Protest Sign

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 12 wins & 18 nominations

Cast

John Travolta	...	Edna Turnblad
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Velma Von Tussle
Christopher Walken	...	Wilbur Turnblad
Amanda Bynes	...	Penny Pingleton
James Marsden	...	Corny Collins
Queen Latifah	...	Motormouth Maybelle
Brittany Snow	...	Amber Von Tussle
Zac Efron	...	Link Larkin
Elijah Kelley	...	Seaweed
Allison Janney	...	Prudy Pingleton
Nikki Blonsky	...	Tracy Turnblad
Taylor Parks	...	Little Inez
Jayne Eastwood	...	Miss Wimsey
Paul Dooley	...	Mr. Spritzer
Jerry Stiller	...	Mr. Pinky

MPAA:

Rated PG for language, some suggestive content and momentary teen smoking.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG | UK:PG | Ireland:PG | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:AL | Argentina:Atp | Mexico:A | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Portugal:M/6 (Qualidade) | Hong Kong:I | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Finland:K-3 | Malaysia:U | South Korea:12 | Brazil:Livre | Philippines:G | Sweden:Btl | Taiwan:GP | Australia:PG | Czech Republic:12 | Denmark:A

Filming Locations:

1116 King St. W., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

Jerry Stiller, who played Wilbur Turnblad in the original film version of Hairspray (1988), appears as Mr. Pinky in this version.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the "You Can't Stop the Beat" number, keep an eye on the large board with the bar charts illustrating how many viewers voted for each Miss Hairspray. The bar charts are not consistent between close up and long shots. Close up shots show Amber almost winning, Tracy close on her heels. Long shots during dance numbers show Tracy trailing by quite a bit.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Tracy Turnblad: [singing] Oh, oh, oh, woke up today, feeling the way I always do. Oh, oh, oh, hungry for something that I can't eat. Then I hear that beat. That rhythm of town starts calling me down. It's like a message from high above. Oh, oh, oh, pulling me out to the smiles and the streets that I love. Good morning, Baltimore!

Movie Connections:

Featured in It's 'Hairspray'! (2007) (V)

Soundtrack:

Big, Blonde and Beautiful

What A GREAT Movie

So I just went to a sneak peak of Hairspray this morning and was I pleasantly surprised. As a huge fan of Hairspray the stage show and of music theatre in general, this could be my favorite movie musical (Chicago, Rent, Phantom, Dreamgirls). The cast was for the most part quite stellar. Nikki Blonsky was one terrific Tracy. Very surprised and impressed with Amanda Bynes as well as Zac Effron. Elijah Kelley was impressive as Seaweed as well. John Travolta was very funny and was a great dancer (even in heals). Love Christopher Walkin's performance as well. Michelle Pfeiffer was a great evil Velma (although her singing was the weakest of the movie). Queen Latifah was PERFECT in this role, got to love her! The story lines altered from the stage show some (don't worry I won't spoil anything). But the differences were not distracting; the movie still made wonderful sense and had a great flow. Although I was bummed that several songs were cut, the ones that were kept in were sensational. Of special note were "I Can Hear the Bells," "Welcome to the 60's," "I Know Where I've Been," and "Without Love." These movie musicals just keep getting better and better. I can't wait for Sweeny Todd this Christmas!!!