After watching Hairspray, I had this feeling - being fat ain't that bad!!! And she gets the guy in the end!!



Hairspray really is a feel-good movie with lots of high energy dancing, lively and well-written songs, and infectious characters who make up the people in that small-town in Baltimore.

In short, I enjoyed Hairspray immensely. In fact, I found myself grinning like an idiot from the beginning to the end of the show. And, in fact, at the end of the songs I had this urge to actually clap and cheer in the cinema! I enjoyed the dancing as well. Oh man, how I wish I could dance like that!!!

The story

Tracy Turnblad, a plump teenager with an optimistic personality, had a dream of becoming a dancer on The Corny Collins show, one of the 'hippiest' variety shows on Baltimore. Tracy also had another agenda of being on the show - to be close to her idol, Link Larkin. As fate would have it, her amazing talent and personality won her a spot as a dancer on the show. However, as she fought through obstacles to prove her worth, she taught 1962 Balitmore the importance of racial tolerance, and that being plus-size is not something to be shameful about at all.

One thing I liked about the movie is how they weaved in the very real problem of racial segregation and discrimination in America in the 1960s, albiet in a light-hearted manner. The ending was probably more fluffy that it was in reality, but as I said, this was a feel-good movie so I can forgive it for that.

The characters

The other thing I like about the movie is how the lead character, Tracy Turnblad, is a short, fat, lovable, pretty and very charismatic teenager with a brilliant screen presence. And it definitely helps that she can dance and sing like a professional. Niki Blonsky, in her film debut, certainly has redefined being a plus-size leading actress in Hollywood who is there not just for laughs. Let's hope that stays.

Apart from Niki Blonsky, the other cast members were wonderful in their roles as well. Despite having so many recognizable actors and actresses in one single movie, each character served it's purpose and there is never a redundant moment for each character.

Amanda Bynes was excellent as Tracy's best pal and "partner-in-crime" Penny who came from a strict Christian upbringing under the watchful eyes of her ultra-conservative mother played by Allison Janney (from The Chumscrubber).

Elijah Kelley shone as Seaweed, a likeable and awesome dancer born in a time when segregation was still very much a part of everyday life. His love story between Penny was short but developed nicely. And did I say he has some really slick dance moves?? It was enjoyable to watch him dance on screen.

Queen Latifah played Seaweed's mother in a very much welcomed non-slapstick role of a TV presenter who was fired from the show due to racial discrimination. Wonderful vocals, sincere acting, and nice screen presence.

Michelle Pfeiffer played the quintessential villian to perfection and to much laughs as well as TV producer and ex-beauty queen, Velma. It was gratifying to see how she lost in the game at the end.

Christopher Walken also surprised me in his role of Tracy's father, Wilbur, a quiet shop owner who stood by his daughter all the way. Also loved that affection he had for his wife, Edna, so sweet! Completely different from my impression of him as being serious and imposing. Especially funny was the part where Velma had tried to seduce Wilbur as part of her evil scheme, but ended up getting extremely exasperated when all Wilbur was interested in was to show and demonstrate to her all the merchandise in his humor shop.

James Marsden was another shocker with his very competent singing and dancing as the TV show presenter Corny Collins. At last, a role where he doesn't get heartbroken in the end (for reasons why I say that, do watch the X-Men series, Superman, The Notebook etc.)!

I've heard lots about Zac Efron but this is the first time I've seen him in action. A very handsome boy indeed, with his dark hair, chiselled features and ocean-blue eyes. It's no wonder he is the new pin-up boy of teenaged girls today. I mean, I could hear the young girls in the audience practically squealing in delight when he winked on screen! Oh wait a minute, I was supposed to talk about his character ya...? Anyway, his character, Link, fitted him to a T as the handsome, young upcoming dancer in the Corny Collins show. Slick dance moves and and very good singing voice indeed! Heard his vocals were dubbed over in High School Musical and I really wonder why. He is definitely more than competent in the singing department.

But really, do give me Christian Bale any time :)

I haven't seen any of Brittany Snow's performances before but her character of Amber frankly wasn't too memorable for me. I guess we were all too busy rooting for Tracy. But she did a great job as Tracy's less talented and more jealous rival.

And of course, there is John Travolta whom I will talk more about in the following section of...

Things that are left to be desired...

John Travolta as Edna Trunblad was... in a word... odd. For one thing, I don't understand why the need to get a man to play an overweight, motherly woman. I know there was a lot of compliments for Travolta's breakthrough role but to me it was quite a disappointment. Travolta's facial expression seemed very limited by the heavy prosthetics pasted to his face, and he just tried too hard to play a woman. And please, the make-up team should have done something to those big, manly hands of his which were a dead giveaway that Edna is a man. I guess having John Travolta playing the adorable Edna just took the magic out of the character. They could have done much better with a real chubby woman.

Which made that lovey-dovey interaction with Christopher Walken really... for the lack of a better word... shocking.