Hairspray (1988)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Chris W

  
  The 1960s is one of my favorite decades. While I do prefer the latter half of the decade more (it just suits my sensibilities better), I can find much enjoyment in the first half, which, in many ways was not all that different from the 1950s. John Waters is an interesting filmmaker… More
  The 1960s is one of my favorite decades. While I do prefer the latter half of the decade more (it just suits my sensibilities better), I can find much enjoyment in the first half, which, in many ways was not all that different from the 1950s. John Waters is an interesting filmmaker who almost always makes a movie that is worth watching for various reasons. This nostalgic little trip to the days of dance shows and racial troubles is one such film. This may not be Waters's best film, but its very good, and actually sees him making an important film since it deals with a topic full of substance. It's also his most tame film, which is a pleasnt shock. Here's the thing: even though this film addresses racial segregation, it is still a Waters film, thus it is dealt with in his usual campy way. This might be a problem for some, since it might come across as too silly and not serious enough, but I found the treatment to be delightfully fun, charming, and hilarious. The time period is captured in an absolutely brilliant fashion, and the music and performances are dynamite. The cameos and casting are really fun (Ric Ocasek is a scream), and besides doing a great job, this gave Ricki Lake her big break. More importantly, the cast have great chemistry, and you can tell they had a lot of fun making this. My grade is perhaps just a tad inflated, but I don't care. I got onto this film's wavelength and it entertained the hell out of me. I highly recommend giving this one a watch.

• Spencer S

  
  The original is always best. Ricki Lake is the perfect Traci, and the drag is quiant.

• Jennifer D

  
  I still haven't gotten used to John Waters style, but I am getting there. Definitely has a Grease vibe, but sillier. Much sillier. What social class was in Cry Baby was segregation was in this. Still, it was well acted on Miss Lake's part and Divine was fantastic. I'm… More
  I still haven't gotten used to John Waters style, but I am getting there. Definitely has a Grease vibe, but sillier. Much sillier. What social class was in Cry Baby was segregation was in this. Still, it was well acted on Miss Lake's part and Divine was fantastic. I'm looking forward to seeing the remake, I heard it was good. Plus, the wigs, were fantastically ridiculous. Loved it.

• Anthony L

  
  Classic John Waters. It?s very funny and probably did do a good job educating people about integration. Ricki Lake is really good and Divine is still, very sadly missed (the dirty bugger that he was)!

• Fernando Rafael Q

  
  Since i first saw the 2007 version, i'm gonna base my review on it. The original, John Waters-directed version is not a musical (i didn't know that), it's darker, dirtier, weird, not so happy, and it contains foul language, BUT it's funny and the dance sequences… More
  Since i first saw the 2007 version, i'm gonna base my review on it. The original, John Waters-directed version is not a musical (i didn't know that), it's darker, dirtier, weird, not so happy, and it contains foul language, BUT it's funny and the dance sequences and art direction are great. Ricki Lake and Sonny Bono are awesome, while Ruth Brown, Debbie Harry, Leslie Ann Powers, Shawn Thompson and Joann Havrilla give notable performances. Divine is just creepy.

• Cassandra M

  
  ohn Waters reveals a somewhat more sentimental side with "Hairspray", a movie several people have told me they absolutely hated. I wondered what it was about Waters' style as a filmmaker that could provoke such anger? I think it's his affection for '60's… More
  ohn Waters reveals a somewhat more sentimental side with "Hairspray", a movie several people have told me they absolutely hated. I wondered what it was about Waters' style as a filmmaker that could provoke such anger? I think it's his affection for '60's movie-clichés transposed through askewed nostalgia and Waters' own gross-out sensibilities (his personal brand of humor, which can be quite wicked). I didn't much care for the film the first time I saw it, but I gave it a second chance and it grew on me. The reckless amateurishness is off-putting at first, but you have to meet "Hairspray" halfway. There is much to enjoy here, not the least of which is Divine as Ricki Lake's mom (and also as a bigoted network bigwig); wheeling and dealing after her daughter finds TV fame, Divine becomes a coiffed society queen, twisting away in front of the television and tossing off jaded quips like, "It's the times...they're a-changin'." The performances are all happily hammy, colorful and amusing, and the lightweight story comfortably shoehorns-in relevant political issues to counterbalance the slapstick. Ricki Lake is very appealing in her debut; also hilarious, Pia Zadora as a beatnik and Debbie Harry as the mother of Lake's main rival ("1-2-cha-cha-CHA, 1-2-cha-cha-CHA!"). It's not a seamless, polished picture, but it does have heart and charm and this sold me--but on the second time around.

• Michael S

  
  Another gem from John Waters.

• Lafe F

  
  A very light and fun movie. An enjoyable John Waters collection of characters. Not intended to be realistic, but has some important messages about society not being accepting of those who are different. Hilarious outlook on the life of ladies who like to make their hair unique.… More
  A very light and fun movie. An enjoyable John Waters collection of characters. Not intended to be realistic, but has some important messages about society not being accepting of those who are different. Hilarious outlook on the life of ladies who like to make their hair unique. There's nothing trashy or offensive in here, like many other of John Waters' movies.

• xGary X

  
  Not trashy enough for fans of Waters' early stuff, and not sophisticated enough for a more "adult" audience.

• Leigh R

  
  Yep... makes you want to get jiggy with them. :)

• Megan S

  
  I finally got around to seeing this. It was pretty good. I feel like I would have liked it better if I hadn't seen the Broadway version first but it was still pretty cool. Edna Turnblad had a pretty horrible greasy mullet.

• William G

  
  Perfectly enjoyable segregation musical.

• Sylvester K

  
  It's an unique Waters film, it has a different tone unlike the rest of his film. Hairspray is light-hearted and retro comedy, featuring the lovable Devine and Ricki Lake. It's a film that has subtle messages about racism and freedom. It's a fun piece of work from Waters

• Marion R

  
  It was a fun movie, and definitely better than the musical version.

• Isaac H

  
  Enjoyable and funny, but not nearly as good as the new one. Hardly any singing, less likeable characters, and not-that-great acting add to the disappointment.

• Linda K

  
  The film was too overrated.

• Quinto W

  
  The original film most people don't know even exists that inspired the Broadway hit and film. Even more different that Waters was accustomed to, but no disappointment at all.

• Sarah P

  
  I watched the '07 version before this one. They were very similar, but also different in good ways. I enjoyed them both a lot!

• Donna D

  
  For those of you that know all John Waters movies, this is one of his unique classics. Hairspray takes you back in the 60's where there were hair hoppers, Segregation and dancing. The movie potrays a portly Tracy Turnblad played wonderfully by Ricki Lake, and I loved that Divine… More
  For those of you that know all John Waters movies, this is one of his unique classics. Hairspray takes you back in the 60's where there were hair hoppers, Segregation and dancing. The movie potrays a portly Tracy Turnblad played wonderfully by Ricki Lake, and I loved that Divine played her mom!! Debbie Harry and Sonny Bono make great parents of spoiled rich girl "Amber" that add to the crazy characters, as well as John Waters himself playing a crazy psychiatrist. Great music from the 60's and some weird dance moves that I never saw, potrayed in this movie like the "Mashed Potato" and "Gravy" which just seems hilarious as ever. But all in all, it's a crazy comedy with great music, and you will enjoy this classic movie.

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