Multicultural topics hit the big screen...Again!
Hairspray Trailer
The film is an adaptation of the Tony award -winning 2002 Broadway musical. The story takes place in 1962 Baltimore; the film follows a "plus sized" girl named Tracy Turnblad as she simultaneously pursues stardom as a dancer on a local TV show and rallies against racial segregation.
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For those of you that never got a chance to see the original movie or the Broadway play or maybe you were like me and thought it was the sequel to Shampoo...well let me bring you up to date.
The story is about a teen-age plus size girl named Tracy. She is determined to dance on TV on one of those American Bandstand like shows. The station manager is played by Michelle Pfeiffer. Even though she is considered a "racist", she does allow a show to be aired one day a month for the black children. It's called Negro Day! After being sent to detention one day for having "inappropriate hair height" Tracy learns from the black kids how to do the hot dance moves. Tracy's best friend falls for a black boy who happens to be the son of the host of "Negro Day". The host is played by Queen Latifah and she won't stand in the way of the teen's interracial romance but, does feel very strongly about civil rights.
The USA Today says that the film "bears little resemblance to the original 1988 cult film... but it's still energetic and goofy...it does have some social conscience in its focus on the outcast and its admittedly lightweight exploration of racial issues."
Call me crazy but, I just enjoy a good story, great actors and throw in some good music and its well worth its weight or $8 at the box office. I think this one is even worth buying when it comes out on DVD (no bootlegs please).
Of course I'm always astonished by the changes (or lack there of), that we've made racially since the 1960's. We may share a lot more "cross over" music, but people are still giving grief and resistance over interracial dating. What I did like about this film compared to the other films that have interracial couples in them, is that this one is still fun and happy. Hairspray is still a film filled with all those messages about acceptance of that which is different, it's just that it's not over the top or preachy and you still feel good after the credits have stopped.
It also reminds us how much more insightful our children can be into the true heart of others. Prejudiced thoughts and behaviors are taught and practiced. They are handed down from generation to generation. Our children are far more tolerant and accommodating of different cultures and experiences. We were too, before we learned better...or should I say differently!
The review written in the San Francisco Chronicle said it best: "In the end, it's amazing that a film so giddy and silly can land with an emotional impact, and yet "Hairspray" does. ..."Hairspray" makes you want to believe that goodwill alone brought about those changes in the 1960s. Knowing better turns this lightweight frolic into a poignant experience.
This is Leticia...see you at the movies.
26 responses to "Multicultural topics hit the big screen...Again!"
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Fala says:Posted: 17 Dec 07
Well it was just nominated for a golden globe as Best Picture and John Travolta got a nod too. The new version must be pretty good.
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cocoadream says:Posted: 27 Nov 07Just wanted to say that I am tired of people always saying that racism is handed down through the generations. That isn't true, at least not in this one. I find that what my kids have to deal with at school is the biggest cause of negative feelings I have to help them through. It is the ugly things their classmates do that give them these ideas that any race is different at all. I would say that it doesn't take generations, just one, of your own kids making your own race look bad, to spark racism these days. That is why I always go directly to the SOURCE of the problem instead of dealing with the symptoms. It is not those victimized by horrific conduct that should be addressed, it is the ones who engage in this conduct that should be stopped. Parents, get off your butts and realize what part your own kids are playing in promoting negative stereotypes.
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Fala says:Posted: 14 Nov 07
You know you were thinking the same thing Unme. LOL
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sweetnes20 says:Posted: 30 Oct 07
i dont think its worth seeing. but hey thats me.
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blkbeauty31 says:Posted: 26 Oct 07i've seen an older version of the movie and i enjoyed the dancing and singing. i have not seen the re-make w/latifah. the funny thing about the racial issue is that i think that experience is very common. we need something to happen in our lives to help us see that we are being racist no matter how innocent we think we are ; ).
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Fala says:Posted: 13 Oct 07
Some of the dance scenes were good too Legs - and the first one gave the world Ricki Lake!
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Legs34 says:Posted: 12 Oct 07I guess the only thing worth remembering about the movie was the drag queen.....LOL
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Fala says:Posted: 11 Oct 07
I totally agree Coco. Divine was the first and the best! A true original.
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Cocokisses says:Posted: 08 Oct 07Divine left some big shoes...or dresses to fill when he died. He was the ultimate drag queen, and they can make 10 remakes, but we will all remember Divine for pulling off playing a teenage girl's Mother. John Travolta wasn't even great in this role.
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Fala says:Posted: 07 Oct 07
Yes I do Unme, but stop calling all hours of the day and night!!!
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Fala says:Posted: 04 Oct 07
That's no woman Mossimo! That's John Travolta in drag!!!!
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mossimo36 says:Posted: 01 Oct 07
Is anyone else wondering who that manish woman is in the photo? One ugly woman!
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Fala says:Posted: 26 Sep 07
The older version was much better. John Travolta doesn't compare to Divine.
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Cocokisses says:Posted: 26 Sep 07
It was okay...I liked the first one with Rickie Lake and Divine. John Travolta is a good looking man, but geez, he made one ugly woman!
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Legs34 says:Posted: 23 Sep 07
I have seen the older version with Ricki Lake & Devine....from what I have seen the newer version is quite close to the older, they did a good job.
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dora42 says:Posted: 22 Sep 07I don't remember seeing the older version, but from your description of it, I'M GOING TO SEE IT THIS WEEKEND! Thanks!
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The Oscar nominations came out today and unfortunately, Hairspray didn't get any. Oh, well. It's still a fun movie!