"Hairspray" Doesn't Live Up To The Hype

David Edelstein On The Musical Remake Of The John Waters Classic

(CBS)  Sunday Morning movie reviewer David Edelstein was disappointed by the new version of John Waters' classic movie/musical.

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"Hairspray" is here and musicals are back, baby, and it's happy news — unless you think, as I do, that fatuously upbeat generic pop music combined with dances edited by a Benihana chef are not an occasion for rejoicing.

The movie isn't awful. It gets more involving as it goes along, and the candyland colors are a hoot. It's going to be a big hit. But "Hairspray" taps into so little of what I cherish about the original John Waters movie - and movie musicals in general - that I can't sit back and let you enjoy it mindlessly.

In the 1988 Waters version, the so-called "Prince of Puke" combined two of his fetishes: fat freaks and a tacky '60s teen dance showcase in which the hairstyles helped erode the ozone layer. Waters concocted a satire of liberal teen-message movies by making his chubby heroine a champion of other outcasts – Negroes – and got a PG rating. Bliss!

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Photos: "Hairspray" In New York

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The director of the new film, Adam Shankman, doesn't seem in on the joke. It's true that ironic love of kitsch has moved from the gay subculture to the mainstream, but that doesn't account for the movie's marshmallow blandness.

Except when he dances — with grace, even in a fat suit — John Travolta's Edna is a joke without a punchline.

I'm crazy about musicals and know more about them than most heterosexual males. And "Hairspray" doesn't make me optimistic about their future. It's too synthetic. The movie's songs, from the Broadway show, don't connect with the emotions that gave birth to the original story.

You can appreciate its deficiencies when you compare it to another transvestite musical, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," a freak's lament with soul — but not mass-audience material.

Terrible as much of it is, the hip-hop group Outkast's musical "Idlewild" is an original stab at mixing music videos with old-fashioned dance musicals. But the dancing is also Benihana-ed.

"Chicago" works like gangbusters and is all of a piece — each number erupts in its own theatrical dreamspace. But good as they are, Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere aren't singers or dancers. They're movie stars who could manage to sing and dance.

You're not watching performers with something pure and unique to express. Not like Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, or early Barbra Streisand in "Funny Girl" or Liza Minelli in "Cabaret." To watch a gifted performer bloom without being upstaged by a chopsocky editor: That's what musicals are about. That's what drew audiences once. That's the only thing that will draw them back.

[allray-2009]

Mr. David Elderstien, ?Question? When are you JEWS going to ""LISTEN"" to GOD are FATHER? EVERY *THOUGHT WE HAVE HAS A PURPOSE TO GET US BACK TO THE RSELATIONSHIP WE LOST IN THE FALL FROM GRACE..SO WHAT YOU SEE, HEAR ABOUT ANY,ANY FILM,PLAY, SONG, THAT RAISES A ?QUESTION IN YOUR MIND IS TO SAY WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO ARE GOD..WHEATHER YOU BELIEVE IN HIM OR NOT..I USE YOUR WORDS "DOESN'T LIVE UP TO THE HYPE"..ARE YOU LIVING UP TO GOD's EXPECTATIONS? NONE OF US DO,or WILL..THAT'S 6+BILLION SOULS LOSING TO THEIR OWN HYPE..REFLECT,REACT, REPENT, FOLLOW JESUS' EXAMPLE: HE DID HIS "FATHER" WILL NOT OURS..HAIRSPRAY SAYS THAT AND MORE AND SO DO ALL MOVIES, MUSIC, BOOKS, POLITICS, "LISTEN" TO HIS VOICE.DAVID BELOVED ONE

[cbsoles-2009]

Reviewer is an idiot living in the past.
I know little about the history of Hairspray---like why a guy has to play the mom. Forgetting Travolta for a minute let's say it was just good.
Get off your holier than thou...

[jae08-2009]

Straying from the main topic, but referring to the comment on Chicago, both Richard and Catherine were stage performers, Richard starred in a production of Grease and Catherine had a recording contract in Europe, both had incredible vocal and dancing skills and though Renee had no formal training previously, she pulled it off better than any other could and truly earned her Oscar nod and should have won it.

This reviewer is obviously a bitter man with a vendetta against good musical films

[hannahdturne]

It sounds to me that Mr. Edelstein wasn't intrigued by this film because I think he's just stuck in the past. I thought it was great! The first words out of my mouth after I had watched the movie were "I am soooooo gonna buy that movie!" It just happens to be the best movie I think I have ever seen!

[mrmovieman]

I'm glad to see David Edelstein giving us a constant reminder that mad cow disease exists. The clinical evidence is proven by his erroneous interpretation of this great movie to come to the theater. It really is a blessing to have a movie that makes people happy to watch. Thats why we as a society go to the movies...to be entertained. What makes this movie better than most is its core message to society. But I don't need to explain myself because there are those individuals who've been unfortunately born with medical defects that can sometimes be treated with medication like David Edelstein. Thanks Dave once again for your mindless comments.

[techbob13]

I usually find some merit in Eddelstein's reviews, but this one is off the mark. Unless it's an effort to go against the crowd - I can't believe he saw the same delightful movie I did. I was charmed from the first song and don't think I stopped smiling like an idiot until the very last title rolled up.
I'm a long time fan of Waters since I first fell in love with "Flamingos" in college 30 years ago. This is one of best musicals I've seen since "Chicago" or "Moulin Rouge" and retains some twisted Water's touches around the edges if you pay attention. It's beautifully produced, edited, and art directed - and I don't think the casting could have been more perfect! I was skeptical about Travolta - but I've been "re-fanned".
I already have the Broadway soundtrack, but I'm getting this CD, too - and while I can't wear out an MP3, I may wear out the patience of those around me who are forced to listen repeatedly.

[designerdeb-2009]

David Edelstein appears to be one of two reviewers that didn't like "Hairspray". I've read dozens and the majority liked it. I loved it! I couldn't stop tapping my toes and moving my feet to the rhythm of the music. John Travolta was great as Edna and he was what drew me to the movie. He sold the female persona of Edna, without being gross or obvious, like that of a "drag queen". Need we remind Edelstein that Travolta starred in the biggest film musical of all time, "Grease"? I have to admit that I had never seen any of the previous "Hairspray" productions, so I had nothing to compare it to. There was nothing mindless about my viewing experience. It held me spellbound, wide eyed, and clinging to every word, so that I would not miss any puns or the satire in it. I am a baby boomer who can identify with the era of the 60's. It took my back to my teenage days and I forgot how old I really am. Nikki Blonsky was dynamite, so fresh and vibrant. Most movie goers want to have their spirits lifted and this was just great fun. As Randy Cordova of the Arizona Republic put it, "Only a die-hard grump could resist the giddy charms of Hairspray".

[fhbug]

I couldn't agree more... with rappster2! These reviewers (only about 8 about of 150+ reviews) who desperately cling to the 1988 version of Hairspray need to keep up with John Waters. He is SEEKING his material being reinvented! He's currently pushing for Cry-Baby to come to B'way in 2008. He wants to have a new generation experience his works. And in interview after interview he is joyously happy with the outcome of the B'way show and this version. If it wasn't for Hairspray becoming a Tony Award winning musical that has already been enjoyed by millions, the original version would be some obscure VHS tape that was traded on the internet. The 2007 film is joyous, wonderful entertainment that shows just how amazing a movie can be when the clouds part and the right creative forces & cast come together. You have to have a heart of ice to resist it. I'm afraid this guy does.

[powerbilt99]

Either Mr. Edelstein did not live the 50's & 60's or was unaware of all the significant happenings both good and tragic that went on then, but integration was as major event and unheard of on T V dance shows. He obviosly lacks the ability to see "Hairsray" for the fun and yet moving movie that it was. In this viewers humble opinion (and a few more viwers opinions)John Travolta should get an Emmy nomination and the movie was excellent. Too bad Mr. "E" uses so many big words that he loses the majority of the public with his interpetation. Too bad for him.

[rappster2]

Your reviewer never ceases to disturb me! Why is it he insists on trying to impress the public with his big words and confusing statements? Hairspray was WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!! THe music, the costumes, the dancing made all of us leaving the theater want to dance all night long. WHy does he insists on comparing it with the original? Why can't he review it on it's own merrit? NO ONE but him cares what the original movie was like. We din't see it because there was a movie made YEARS ago with the same name!! He shows each and every week how ignorant he is when it comes to waht people like and want. I am going take a pee break whenever he comes on in the future. He is an idiot and not worth my time. Find someone who can relate to the general public not just to his gay community. He is like other *** who get totally hung up on the musicals from the 1950's. Get over it and move on!!!