Hairspray (the movie) Versus The Brady Bunch; a review!

[shermanslave]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 6:13pm

This reviewer likes to compare each film to something of a higher plane; something at a completely different level. This higher entity will be television's The Brady Bunch, which aired for from 1969 to 1974. In this review, we shall compare and contrast the feature film Hairspray to The Brady Bunch Episode #42, "Will the Real Jan Brady Please Stand Up?"

In the film Hairspray, we have a young girl who desperately wants to be a part of The Corny Collins Show, a popular television dance show for teens. Tracy Turnblad is heavier than most of the girls on the program but she yearns for the spotlight. In comparison, Jan Brady also yearns to be popular but has her own obstacles to overcome, most notably her jealousy of her sister Marcia. Both girls are very cute and have every right to be where they want to be. In Hairspray, Tracy eventually makes onto the show and becomes a huge star. However, in The Brady Bunch, Jan feels she must buy a wig in order to stand out from her sister. Had she followed the lead of Ms. Turnblad, she would have realized that beauty is within and popularity only comes to those who have a sense of self appreciation. A wig is not needed. Perhaps instead of a wig, she should have ratted her hair and given it a triple process which is what Hairspray's heroine did. In the end, both girls realize that to get where you want to be, all you have to be is yourself. Both performances are very strong.

In addition, John Travolta and Florence Henderson each provide very good performances as mothers who stand by their daughters. In supporting roles, Michelle Pfieffer and Ann B. Davis steal every scene they are in.

Overall, each production is very well done. Although there is no singing or dancing in this episode of The Brady Bunch, the initial theme song to the television show is just as catchy as the opening number of Hairspray, Good Morning Baltimore. This reviewer can't help but wonder what that song would have sounded like had it been performed by the winning and always subtle Jan Brady. Kudos to both!

Updated On: 11/9/07 at 06:13 PM