Review of Hairspray (1988) by Stephanie M — 30 Dec 2009

There's so much brilliance in John Waters dirty little mind yet so much innocence and nostalgia as well. Many people can't see past his bad taste enough to see that a brilliant filmaker is at work in all of his films.

This film works on so many levels. It's a fun dance movie, slice of life of the 60's as well as an homage to films and music of the era wrapped inside of a powerful story about racism and integration in Baltimore in the 60's. The music is brilliant, the performances lively, and Divine... well, he is sorely missed that's for sure. Rounding out the cast is the typical oddball kitschy band of cameos Waters always manages to throw in (Pia Zadora as a beatnik is pretty random) and lastly it's plain fn and makes you want to dance.