Hairspray Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 4416

Average Rating: 2.7/4

# of Ratings: 86

Theatrical Release Date: 02/26/1988

Language: English

Genre: Comedy, Drama

MPAA Rating: PG

Director: John Waters

Actors: Sonny Bono, Ruth Brown, Divine, Deborah Harry, Ricki Lake, Jerry Stiller

Plot: It's 1962 in Baltimore and outspoken, 'Pleasantly Plump' teen Tracy Turnblad has become a staple on the local Corny Collins Dance Show. She uses her new fame to speak her mind on issues - one of the stronger being her stance on integration - but this earns her the wrath of the show's former star Amber Von Tussle as well as her pro-segregation parents. Everything will come to head at the Miss Auto Show - where both girls fight for the title. -- Chris Kavan

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 09/19/2012

Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake) audition for the The Corny Collins Show. The retro feel, choreography and costumes were wonderful to see. It's acting however was just not that enticing and impact was lacking. Soundtrack was evidently great since it applied to its era. Not as impressive as West Side Story, Hairspray still delivers the fun, its racial statement and confidence in ones self.

mitchellyoung - wrote on 12/29/2011

Not only is this a fun and energetic musical, but it also takes on important social issues in a sarcastic and sly manner. Definitely one John Waters' best films.

PsychoKing1227 - wrote on 08/18/2009

John Waters is probably the worst director/writer who ever existed next to Uwe Boll. He is disgusting and why he works with Divine is beyond me. The strangest cast and the most inane sexual innuendos produced make this one of his worst ["Pink Flamingos" is the worst]. I hated it, what more can I say?

TheWolf
Movie God

John Waters makes a PG movie...

TheWolf - wrote on 08/06/2007

The 1988 film by John Waters became a big success. Hairspray is a satire of 60's life for a lower middle class overweight girl in Baltimore, USA. It's supposed to be tacky and pro-America. It does have some deeper moments and some points to make about discrimination. But essentially it's a warm hearted, campy, funny flick. You only have to see who the director is to know that you aren't going to get another run-of-the-mill Hollywood story of overcoming adversity. It's a trashy take on pop culture of the 60's and the performances are great. The movie starred Ricki Lake as Tracy Turnblad, an over weight teen that wanted to desperately get on a popular dance television show, the Corny Collins show, which is an obvious parody of Dick Clarks American Bandstand. The movie is pretty funny, and …