Hairspray (1988)

2014 • 91 minutes

About this movie

It's Baltimore, 1962, and rebellious "pleasantly plump" teenager with the biggest bouffant on the block, Tracy hopes to be one of the featured stars on a popular dance show and win the coveted "Miss Auto Show" crown as she fights against racial discrimination.

Ratings and reviews

I'm baffled by the overwhelming positive ratings of this move (and the new remake). I caught the last hour of it when my wife watched it and saw no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I can only theorize that the movie was marketed so well that the only people who watched it (and consequently rated it) were exactly the people who would like it and people like me didn't even bother acknowledging it's existence.

Truly a "fun and frolicking" romp of a great time. This original is the best although they did a bang-up fungoodtime of the Broadway musical as well. The soundtracks of both major shake-ups will do just that: shake you up and shake your tail feathers. BTW, Ricki Lake deserves a star on the wall of fame for this, her first film performance. She's simply a "do-right" in every way!

Only an idiot doesn't realize this is John Waters unintentional masterpiece. Watch Multiple Maniacs or Desperate Living or Eat Your Make-up and get back to people educated and well versed in his Dreamland productions 🐸☕