DANG!!!! HAIRSPRAY LOOKS GOOD

[allofmylife]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 5:27pm

I was lucky enough to see some of the filming while I was recuperating up in Toronto. Now that I'm back at work in LA, I just saw some of the film and it looks simply wunnnerful!

It's so rare that we here in Hollywood even come close to capturing the thrill of a Broadway show. Even "Chicago" I thought had some pretty cheezy scenes but this looks so darn good that I think they may have a classic on their hands AS LONG AS Travolta works.

I was one of the people defending him ("he has one helluva great box of tools to bring to any project") but the thing I'm just a little worried about is that the other casting is so UTTERLY spot on (this kid Nikki Blonsky is, I feel, better in the role than Marissa Winoker) and the execution of the movie is of such high calibre that suddenly Travolta, admittedly one of the most seasoned pros in the the film is facing the possibility of being described as the weak link.

I never saw that coming.

Updated On: 4/21/07 at 05:27 PM

[jbdc]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 5:33pm

Travolta even ruins the trailer. Maybe he should have spent less time kissing his "manny" good-bye and more time thinking about acting styles. Divine was funny in the original because she was un-feminine. They should have cast John Goodman.

Edit: It's also interesting how little of the trailer he's in. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'. Michele Pfeifer gets like 3x the screen time (and I love what I see of her)! Updated On: 4/21/07 at 05:33 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 5:34pm

I am trying not to build myself up too much before this comes out. I am SO looking forward to seeing this on the big screen. However, I have to say that when I saw this trailer for the first time, I choked up. It looks like they got it right... it really does. I can't wait to see it.

Travolta is my biggest concern as well, if for no other reason, 'legends' in the role aside, than Edna is such a hard role to truly get right.

As far as Marissa Winokur goes, and I am not saying Mariss is great or awful in saying this.. it is purely by comparison -- Marissa is one of the weakest Tracys I have seen.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 5:35pm

I liked Travolta in the trailer. I'm excited to see what he does with the role. Heck, I'm excited for the entire film, it looks wonderful.

[ABSteel]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 5:53pm

I can't wait!

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 6:10pm

I wasn't crazy about Travolta in the trailer. I also wasn't crazy about Queen Latifa's vocals in the trailer. The song sounds as if it has been "softened" a bit. But I like Travolta and Latifa and love the show so I will see the movie.

[singtopher]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 6:23pm

I basically concur with everything allmylife said.

[mateo]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 6:31pm

For alot of people, their only interest in Hairspray is seeing John in a dress.

So I assume the thinking behind showing less of travolta is to create mystery... saying 'you wanna see him dance in a dress, then cough up 8 bucks come July'

And it's funny- some people are saying he's not as wild as Harvey or not as feminine as Harvey or not as butch as Devine or is going to broad with the character or not far enough.. you just can't please everyone.

Updated On: 4/21/07 at 06:31 PM

[MungoGypsy8232]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 6:42pm

I agree wholeheartedly with allofmylife. The last scene with Travolta making the being big comment left me so sad that I had to replay it over and over again and pray that hopefully this isn't a good scene with him. John Goodman would have been great in the role!

[mateo]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 6:49pm

one line.

What is shown in the trailer doesn't compare to the footage of John I've seen, and of that little footage, it sure as heck doesn't compare to the whole movie.

If by that one line he isn't -over the top- enough for everyone's likeing. Then just wait till you see him. Trust me when I say he is his own Edna and is just as fun and loveable as any one who has ever played her.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 6:57pm

I'm very much looking forward to his take on Edna. I think he is fine in the trailer and as someone else said he isn't in very much of it. How can you judge him on those very few lines? Hell, how can you judge anyone by the trailer? I have no clue what footage allofmylife saw, but everyone else seems to have only seen him in the trailer and that is simply not fair to John or the movie as a whole.
Updated On: 4/21/07 at 06:57 PM

[Laurhearts SA]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:00pm

I can't wait to see it.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:22pm

And it's funny- some people are saying he's not as wild as Harvey or not as feminine as Harvey or not as butch as Devine or is going to broad with the character or not far enough.. you just can't please everyone.

Mateo, no offense, but you've lost your credibility here. Take a break. Every HAIRSPRAY-related defense in every HAIRSPRAY-related thread that you make just sounds like you're getting worked up in a huff because other people's opinions vary from your payrolled views. We're judging based solely on the trailer, because that's what is being presented to us as consumers who will be spending money to see this film. If you want to state an opinion without having to allow others to share their differing ones, then don't do so on a public forum made up mostly of the paying public, not the paid promotion team.

[mateo]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:47pm

haha, no I dont get that worked up. I was just saying no actor can please everyone. Some will like him and some will be dissapointed.


My opinions are just as valid as anyone elses. I love hearing what people have to say no matter what.

No one can pay me to like Hairspray. Im just a fan.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:50pm

The movie looks AMAZING!

I'm not all that impressed by Amanda Bynes though...or John Travolta for that matter. I'm sure they'll be just fine but I just wish they would've gotten Harvey for Edna...

[mateo]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:52pm

It drives me nuts we can't hear Amanda sing yet.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:52pm

Harvey has zero box office appeal. That's why he wasn't cast.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:54pm

Although Harvey is not a draw as a "big name" he's still a very familiar face. Also, the rest of the cast would have brought enough people in.

[mateo]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:55pm

Marc said in an ASCAP interview that the producers mentioned John Travolta to the studio- and then that was it, they didn't want to consider anyone else.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:56pm

Uh, not really, I doubt most of Middle America knows who Harvey Fierstein is. Some might recognize him as "that guy from Mrs. Doubtfire", but that's it. Casting John Travolta was a wise choice. People will go to see him in a dress.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:57pm

"Although Harvey is not a draw as a "big name" he's still a very familiar face."

He is? Maybe in New York and in the industry, but he's far from familiar in terms of nationwide appeal. I hate to be one of those people who say all of this stuff, but to quote Debra Monk: "It's a business".

[mateo]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:59pm

I can't think of another actor with box-office-draw who would be appropriate for Edna.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 12:00am

I live in MS and every time I mention him I have to say "the guy from Independence Day." or "the guy from Mrs. Doubtfire." and then people knows who he is. So would that mean he had a "familiar face" or voice at least!

I understand that people wouldn't go to see him, but let's be honest, who in Middle America actually would WANT to see a musical?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 12:01am

You've proved my point NLS. People know him once you say "that guy from Mrs. Doubtfire" but they don't know him by name. People know John Travolta by name. That's why he was cast.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 12:04am

I understand that but...ah forget it.