by John Roberts

Created on: September 20, 2009

"Hairspray" is flat out wonderfully acted and made with unabashed joy. Adapted from the Broadway musical which in turn was based on John Waters' 1988 movie, "Hairspray" is testament to Hollywood's capability of producing a handsomely mounted old fashioned movie musical like no other county can with apologies to Bollywood. How refreshing to watch a contemporary musical turn out well and be fun viewing for even the most jaded audience member. No, you do not have to be gay to enjoy its campy and sweet nature.

The setting is Waters' hometown of Baltimore circa 1962 when huge hair was sprayed frozen and the civil rights movements was just beginning in earnest. All the high school kids race home to black and white televisions to watch Baltimore's answer to "American Bandstand," "The Corny Collins Show" hosted by the handsome Corny (James Marsden) who is surprisingly sincere and progressive rather than smarmy and egotistical. There are the regular show dancers led by Link (Zac Efron) and talentless primmadonna Amber (Brittany Snow) whose mother Velma (a deliciously bitchy Michelle Pfeiffer) is the prejudiced station manager.

Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) and her pigtailed pal Penny (the adorable Amanda Bynes) live for "The Corny Collins Show." Allison Janney delivers a funny turn as Penny's disapproving Bible spouting mother warning her daughter "Wait until your father gets out of prison." Tracy is a queensized girl who can belt out a tune and shake her booty on the dance floor. She has a mad crush on Link and desperately wants to be in the newly opened regular dance slot. Velma dismisses Tracy but armed with some moves learned from her new "Negro" friends, Tracy wows her way into the show and infuriates Velma with a growing popularity threatening to take the Miss Hairspray crown from Amber.

The issue of equality for the races as well as for BBWs is central to the story. Corny wants to integrate the show and Motormouth Mabel (Queen Latifah) hosts the show's weekly "Negro Day." Tracy leads the charge for integration while Penny has tasted "chocolate" from Maybelle's son (Elijah Kelly) and "There's no goin' back." "Hairspray" is not all about teenagers. Tracy's parents, Wilbur and Edna, are played by Christopher Walken and John Travolta. Playing against type, Walken gives a shyly comic turn as the gentle owner of a novelty store. Much of "Hairspray's" notoriety rests on the large Edna being played by an actor in drag. Transvestite cult legend Divine was Edna in the original movie and Harvey Fierstein originated the Broadway version. Both possessing Broadway backgrounds, Walken and Travolta strut their stuff and obviously enjoy doing so.

"Hairspray" is a throw back to old Hollywood musicals by being simple in plot, humorous and throwing out wall to wall singing and dancing. The biggest knock on "Hairspray" are none of Marc Shaiman's songs are truly memorable and there is not that signature knockout number. Director-choreographer Adam Shankman maintains swift pacing and no maudlin draggy spots so common in MGM musicals. The large cast of veterans and youngsters are outstanding in letting it fly and having a good time in the process.

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