Hairspray (New Line) is an uplifting, enjoyable adaptation of the hit Broadway musical based, in turn, on John Waters' 1988 film of the same title about an overweight 1962 Baltimore teenager named Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky).
Her parents, Wilbur (Christopher Walken), who owns a novelty shop, and Edna (John Travolta in a cross-dressing role), who takes in laundry, support her dreams of competing on "The Corny Collins Show," a racially segregated local dance program. The so-called "Negro Day," hosted by affable blonde-wigged Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah), only airs monthly.
WYZT producer Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer) aims to keep the status quo, and since she's looking to further the interests of her spoiled daughter, Amber (Brittany Snow), in the "Miss Teenage Hairspray" dance competition, does her best to undermine Tracy's efforts — even, at one point, trying to seduce the clueless Wilbur.
But eternal optimist Tracy — who cares not a jot for what people think of her bodily heft — perseveres, and catching the eye of Collins (James Marsden), appears on the show and proves a hit. She also wins the admiration of school hunk Link Larkin (Zac Efron), and talks her reclusive mother into finally leaving the house, and getting a makeover at the dress shop of Mr. Pinky (Jerry Stiller, the earlier film's Wilbur).
With the help of Maybelle and the African-American kids at her high school, including Maybelle's son, Seaweed (Elijah Kelley), whose kid sister, Little Inez (Taylor Parks), turns out to be a dance whiz herself, Tracy determines to integrate the show. Her best friend, Penny Pingleton (Amanda Bynes), falls for Seaweed, underscoring that theme. (Penny's disapproving and fanatical mom, Prudy — Allison Janney of "The West Wing," is the source of a mildly irreverent sight gag.)
Maybelle's stirring civil rights number — "I Know Where I've Been" — is sung during a nighttime protest march to the TV station and provides the film's most serious, genuinely moving sequence.
With a screenplay by Leslie Dixon (adapted from the stage script by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan), director Adam Shankman keeps the pace moving and maintains a sensible balance between heightened realism and more fanciful elements.
There are impressive performances from a well-chosen cast, led by lovable newcomer Blonsky. As with the stage interpreters of the role, Travolta admirably plays it straight, though the fat suit needn't have been so exaggerated. His and Walken's old-fashioned vaudeville number is a highlight, but Mark Shaiman and Scott Wittman's songs are all exceedingly well performed.
The film is rife with themes of racial tolerance, anti-discrimination and self-respect. And there are positive pro-family messages in the supportive relationships in the Turnblad and Maybelle households.
Above all, underdog Tracy's fierce determination to do "what's right" makes the film as meritorious as it is entertaining.
The film contains some crass expressions, innuendo, mild sexual banter and irreverence, and brief teen smoking, making this best for older adolescents. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
