entertainment, my stuff
- October 1, 2007
Hairspray
Took the kids to see “Hairspray” this morning. I’d been a bit lukewarm about going to see it, but everything I’ve read or heard about it lately has been positive, and the kids persuaded me to take them. Its great fun …we of course liked the scene where Tracey’s father had to sleep on a bed of whoopee cushions (you’re never too old for fart jokes *). I’m still wondering why John Travolta was cast as Tracey’s mother …. umm, why not hire a woman to play a woman - interesting choice, but he was good in the role. And Nikki Blonsky, as Tracey, was fantastic. I also thought Amanda Bynes’ character was good (and Alison Janney as her mother) as was Michelle Pfieffer’s - I didn’t know who was playing that part until the end credits (must be a while since I’ve seen her in anything).
My children were very surprised by the racism portrayed in the film, with the segregation of white and black people in early 60’s USA (never mind the bad hair, the goofy dancing etc).
* speaking of fart jokes: Whats the heaviest thing in the world? A fart, once you drop one you can never pick it back up.
4 Responses to “Hairspray”
I saw Hairspray yesterday and enjoyed it. Can’t help but leave the theatre grinning.
I also wondered why Travolta played the mother and a friend told me that in the original Hairspray, the mother was played by drag performer Divine, so I guess they kept the tradition. Like you I did not realise Ms Pfieffer was the person playing the the wannabes mother.
By Andrew on Oct 1, 2007
Divine was a close friend of John Waters’ (who wrote the script/directed the original and the movie). In the original movie He played both the mum and had a bit role as a man somewhere as well (TV station manager?). The drag factor plays quite a role in a lot of John Waters’ movies - I think using Travolta was a homage to Waters, Divine (who died) and the original film - which was extremely left of center.
By M on Oct 1, 2007
I loved it - played the part of the teenager and squealed each time Link was on screen - Wahoo!
I was also suprised by the split in it.
By Enny on Oct 2, 2007
I was going to mention “divine” but since the others have I will skip it. I will be interested to see how the new version holds up. Seems many people enjoy this version as much as the original.
By Jafabrit on Oct 2, 2007