Just saw Hairspray

[brdwaybaby17]

Posted: 7/11/07 at 11:17pm

We had a sneak peak of Hairspray that I got back from a few hours ago. I have mixed feelings. (Bear with me guys, I don't know the full names of all of the actors because, well, I honestly haven't been following the film that much).

The best parts -
Elijah as Seaweed. So good. I would watch him do anything... "Run and Tell That" might have been my favorite number in the movie.
Nikki... whatever her last name is as Tracy. She really embodied the spirit that I think Ricki Lake introduced us to so many years ago.
Christopher Walken - usually not a huge fan... but here, he had just the right amount of subtlety and quirkiness.
The dancing. Honestly. Enough said.
And possibly James Mardsten... because he was adorable.

The worst -
The underutilization of Alyson Janney. My god people, this woman is HYSTERICAL! You give her a grand total of about three minute s in the movie?!? No excuse. BUT, those three minutes? My favorite of the entire movie.
John Travolta. I couldn't get behind it. And I feel like everyone else in the audience was only laughing when he said things because, "Hey! That's a guy! And that guy's famous! How funny!"
Michelle Pfeiffer... you're not a singer... you're not a dancer... you're simply... there. And you're there too much, thank you.

Maybe it's because I liked the first movie and the stage production so much... but I was kind of disappointed. I'll still go see it again... but there seemed to be something missing. I don't know...

Anyway, that's my two cents!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 1:05am

Love it!

There is so much love on this board for HAIRPSRAY that no one (aside from me right now) bothered to respond with anything.

LOVE IT!

[TapTapTapioca]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 1:06am

LOVE IT!

[Elphie4ever]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 1:11am

loved your review.i am so excited to watch hairspray this coming monday
but i am still scared of John Travolta. urgh..

[JP2]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 1:26am

Yeah, seriously. . . what do so many people on this board have against hairspray? If this was a Spring Awakening thread we'd be on page 6 by now..

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 1:31am

You think people have something against Hairspray? Really?

Maybe no one responded because the thread was posted somewhat late, or maybe they're getting tired of all the fifty million Hairspray threads there have been in the past couple of days.

I doubt the majority of this board has something against Hairspray. Please.

[Mrs.LinkLarkin2]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 1:35am

The more clips I see of Travolta, the more I get nervous. I laugh, because it's John. I'm not really seeing Edna yet...we'll see.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 1:41am

Does Zach appear shirtless?

[TapTapTapioca]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 2:19am

Curtain- What the **** is your problem? Do you need to ask at least once about every single ****ing show if somebody appears shirtless? It is really ****ing annoying so cut it out.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 2:22am

[mygfdontliveincanada]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 2:28am

Bravo, B3TA07. Bravo.

[StageFan2]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 6:15am

Way to go B3TA07!

[tomemiller]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 7:18am

I, too, just saw a preview of Hairspray and can assure everybody that John Travolta really is endearing and believable in the role of Edna Turnblad. I have been a big fan of Hairspray in general (had drinks with John Waters in 1987 when he was talking about making the film) and have followed its success throughout the years. This new version really lives up to the Hairspray franchise and as Mr. Waters recently stated, "He can't wait for the Ice Capades version" Chill, relax, and enjoy the film. "Let's Dance!"
Updated On: 7/12/07 at 07:18 AM

[amoni]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 9:07am

"Michelle Pfeiffer... you're not a singer... you're not a dancer... you're simply... there. And you're there too much, thank you."


Wow, like oh gee, well ya know, Michelle was cast in "Grease 2", a musical and then after that "The Fabulous Baker Boys" where in a role as a singer she was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress by her peers. She was also nominated for the British Academy Award as well as winning a Golden Globe, NY Film Critics, LA Film Critics, Chicago Film Critics, San Diego Film Critics, National Board Of Review, and The National Society Of Film Critics. Well I don't know, I'd say some people think she can sing but thanks for that declaration. I'm sure her agent is scrambling to save her career as you read this.

[suttonfan2]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 9:14am

How come Marissa didn't do the movie?

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 9:30am

Too old. Plus, no one from the OBC was in the movie.

[Clara's Pony]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 9:43am

Going back to brdwaybaby's original post - I've always felt that Allison Janney is underutilized. She is an amazing actress with terrific comic timing. Yet just look back at all the film roles she's had - Primary Colors (alongside John Travolta haha), Drop Dead Gorgeous, The Object of my Affection, The Ice Storm, American Beauty, The Hours, and now Hairspray. Always cast in minor supporting roles. I guess after the success of the West Wing she could have secured bigger roles if she had wanted them, maybe she enjoys playing supporting characters. I don't know.

[broadway86]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 10:40am

Good review.

A lil harsh of La Pfeiffer, no?

The more I see of Travolta the more fascinated I am with his interpretation. I already love the scenes I've watch ("I believe it is naturally stiff..."), so I can't wait to see what else he has to offer.

[RentHead2]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 10:47am

I'm going to be honest when I say that this original poster is right. Michelle P's acting I loved it was just her singing that was sort of dreadful. But when I was watching Hairspray, I was hoping they cast 2 people right: TRACY and EDNA. They got Tracy right but John Travolta is very wrong for the role. Travolta looks uncomfortable and he tries to fake a woman's sound; its actually awkward. But, very fun movie overall.

[Clara's Pony]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 11:12am

If you think JT's awkward as Edna, just imagine him as Billy Flynn... a movie role he (thankfully) turned down. I'm not convinced at all by the decision to cast him, but I will save judgement until I've seen the film - gonna be interesting...

[DBillyP]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 11:20am

I saw the film on Tuesday night, and, for me, from word one, John Travolta made Edna uniquely his own, which is what I think he needed to do. His characterization was endearing and honest, with a touch of heartbreak. Although it seemed his accent dropped during his vocals, it worked very well.

As for Michelle Pfeiffer, I enjoyed her ... when she wasn't singing. She sounded as though she struggled with the vocals, as well as seeming to be a bit bored or put out about the whole experience.

However, these quibbles with the film are minor, and I loved it! I hope it does big box office; it deserves to.

[mateo]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 11:33am

Travolta wa son Leno last night - and they ran a clip from "Timeless To Me."

It's at the very end of the interview:

http://www.hairspraymovie.com/blog/?p=248

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 2:37pm

Am I the only one that thinks Michelle Pfeiffer sounds wonderful?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 2:49pm

No, you're not. I liked her rendition of "Miss Baltimore Crabs".

I just realized that "New Girl in Town" unscores one of the scenes in the Broadway production. I think it's somewhere in the dance at the high school.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 3:12pm

I agree with the thoughts on Pfeiffer's singing not being very good. Not to mention that she has a very grating fast vibrato, probably due to a lack of ability to control it (training would help that.)