RETROSPECTIVE: HAIRSPRAY (1988)
A film review by Mike Watson Copyright 1998 Mike Watson
Rating: 5 out of 5
Hysterical racist housewife to funky black lady in downtown record shop: "Don't you try your voodoo spells on me you...you...NATIVE WOMAN!!!!" For quotable quotes, no one does 'em like John Waters.
After two decades of outrageous, confronting, often hilarious and at times plain disgusting movies, The King Of Camp and Prince Of Puke delivered his first mainstream film with HAIRSPRAY. And though it's no shockfest, it remains one of his most likable and enduring films, possibly the finest of his long career.
This affectionate, funny tribute to teenage life in early-60's Baltimore has such an innocent feel-good vibe that fans of Waters' earlier trash classics may, ironically, be a little shocked. HAIRSPRAY tells the story of "pleasantly plump" Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake) and her ambitions to be a star on The Corny Collins Show, the cool TV dance show that's the be-all and end-all for Baltimore's glamour-crazed teens. Her wacky parents (played wonderfully by Divine and Seinfeld star Jerry Stiller) and shy best friend Penny stand by her side as she battles bitch teen queen Amber Von Tussle for both the star spot on the show and the love the teen hunk Link.
The soundtrack is spiced with great songs, and the some of the dance routines are nothing short of sensational. For me, the most powerful sequence is when our white heroes pay their first ever visit to a black dance club. Immediately you see - no, feel - the difference between the black and white styles as Waters charges the scene with an incredible sensuality and sexual energy. It really is an exhilarating moment.
With HAIRSPRAY Waters has clearly toned down his infamous shock tactics of earlier films - you'll see no eating dog shit, obese lesbian lovemaking or dicks being cut off here. Thankfully his way with dialogue, his love of trash, and his endearing sense of camp remain. The outrageous hairdos, the silly teen lingo, the "Hefty Hideaway" fashion boutique, Penny's hysterical Puritan mother - his unmistakable touch is everywhere.
This is a comedy, no question. But what surprises is that it's a comedy with a strong moral awareness. Amongst all the laughs and driving the film at its centre is the issue of black/white segregation. It's a fact of life in the lives of these characters, but not for long if Tracey Turnblad and her friends have their way. Their growing awareness of the obscene injustice of it all eventually leads them to full-on revolt, and you can bet your beehive hairdo that you'll be cheering them all the way.
This is what elevates HAIRSPRAY above just about every other retro comedy to come out of Hollywood in the last two decades. It's not just entertaining, it's actually very touching. John Waters' compassion for black people, fat people, outcastes and fringe-dwellers gives this film tremendous heart. I've watched it four times and I still find it one of the most genuinely uplifting films I've seen. Of course, it's also riotously funny, and with those two magic ingredients combined the writer/director has delivered an unmistakable classic.
Don't miss it, groovers.
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