1988 ( USA ) ( Comedy, Drama, Family)
Starring: Ricki Lake, Sonny Bono, Ruth Brown, Divine
Director: John Waters
Set in Baltimore in 1962, Hairspray captures the spirit of youth in an idealistic time. It stars Ricki Lake as ‘pleasantly plump’ teenager Tracy Turnblad, a keen dancer whose dream comes true when she wins a spot on The Corny Collins Show. However, this results in instant rivalry with the ambitious Amber Von Tussle and her obsessive parents; and what’s more, Tracy soon discovers that showbiz isn’t all she hoped for as she sees her black friends turned away from the studio. Soon she’s fighting for change in an affectionate and cheerfully naive examination of how rock n’ roll shaped the political landscape of the Sixties.
Hairspray has become a classic movie of its type. It is funny and and entertaining with lurid colours, irreverent humour, and has some great tunes.
(1hr 32min)