Hairspray (2007)

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:

Teenage Boy | Dance | Girl | Teenage Daughter | One Word Title

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 10 wins & 17 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

Also Known As:

Hairspray (Greece) [el]
Hairspray (France) [fr]
Hairspray (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]
Hairspray (Argentina) [es]
Hairspray (Germany) [de]
Hairspray (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Hairspray (Finland) [fi]
Hairspray - Em Busca da Fama (Brazil) [pt]
Hairspry (Spain) [es]
Juukselakk (Estonia) [et]
Suéltate el pelo (Mexico) [es]

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:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

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

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Gabriel Simon Production Services

Trivia:

The original Broadway cast included Marissa Jaret Winokur (Tracy), Harvey Fierstein (Edna), Clarke Thorell (Corny Collins), Laura Bell Bundy (Amber), 'Matthew Morrison' (Link), Kerry Butler (Penny), Linda Hart (Velma), Dick Latessa (Wilbur), Corey Reynolds (Seaweed) and Mary Bond Davis (Motormouth Maybelle).

Goofs:

Continuity: At the end of "It's Hairspray", Amber changes her positions 3 times. First, she's on Corny's left. The next shot, she's on his right. The following shot she's back to his left.

Quotes:

Wilbur Turnblad: [to a sobbing Edna, who thinks he's been cheating on her] Honey, it took me five years to realize you were flirting!
[softly]
Wilbur Turnblad: How could I?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The O'Reilly Factor: Miller Time!" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now (Instrumental)

The Ultimate Feel Good Film!

I just saw Hairspray the movie at the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle--the same theater where Hairspray the musical premiered five years ago. It could be that I am just dizzied by the dashing good looks of Zac Efron, but the magic that was produced on stage by the original Hairspray cast has transfered flawlessly to the big screen.

I couldn't have asked for more. Nikki Blonsky premiered beautifully as the spunky and voluptuous Tracy Turnblad. John Travolta delivered. Christopher Walken was charming and hilarious. Queen Latifah was "big, black, and beautiful." Michelle Pfeiffer--perfectly obnoxious...the list goes on.

The candy colored costumes and thrilling choreography were so enjoyable, and even the more serious parts of the film (though there are very few!) were touching and sincere.

The only thing I wished had been included was the song "Mama I'm a Big Girl Now." While it would have been a great addition, other big song and dance numbers carried the film along just fine.

I caught myself smiling like a buffoon more than once. A must see for musical lovers--or anyone who just likes to have a good time.