Hairspray Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A pleasantly plump teen dances her way into a TV show, fights racism, and somehow John Travolta is her mom; basically, everything’s bigger in Baltimore!

🍿 Hairspray: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Tracy’s Dream

In 1962 Baltimore, Tracy Turnblad, a spirited and pleasantly plump teenager, dreams of dancing on “The Corny Collins Show,” a local TV dance program. Her mother, Edna, a loving but overweight woman, discourages her, fearing ridicule. Tracy, however, is undeterred, fueled by her passion and the support of her father, Wilbur.

Auditions and Detention

When a spot opens on “The Corny Collins Show,” Tracy seizes the opportunity to audition. Despite her talent, Velma Von Tussle, the show’s prejudiced manager and mother of reigning dance queen Amber, rejects Tracy due to her size and progressive views. After being sent to detention for truancy, Tracy meets black students who introduce her to new dance moves and a different perspective on segregation.

Rising Star and Activism

Tracy integrates the new dance moves she learned into her style which catches the eye of Corny Collins at a local dance hop. He is impressed and invites her to join the show’s cast. Tracy’s rise to fame angers Velma and Amber. Seeing the injustice of segregation on the show, Tracy, along with her friends, resolves to integrate “The Corny Collins Show,” advocating for equal opportunities for black dancers. This leads to confrontations, protests, and personal sacrifices.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky): A pleasantly plump teenager who dreams of dancing on the Corny Collins Show and fights for integration in 1962 Baltimore.
• Edna Turnblad (John Travolta): Tracy’s supportive but insecure mother, who initially discourages her daughter’s dreams due to her own body image issues but ultimately embraces change.
• Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer): The prejudiced station manager and stage mother who opposes Tracy’s rise to fame and fights against integration.
• Link Larkin (Zac Efron): The heartthrob dancer on the Corny Collins Show who is initially with Amber but eventually falls for Tracy and supports her integration efforts.
• Seaweed J. Stubbs (Elijah Kelley): A talented dancer from the ‘Negro Day’ segment of the Corny Collins Show who teaches Tracy new moves and advocates for racial equality.
• Penny Pingleton (Amanda Bynes): Tracy’s loyal best friend, who initially has a sheltered life due to her mother, but becomes involved in the integration movement and falls in love with Seaweed.
• Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah): The host of Negro Day on the Corny Collins Show and Seaweed’s mother, who is a strong advocate for racial equality and a source of wisdom for Tracy.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tracy: “I wish every day was Negro Day!” – Tracy’s spontaneous on-air declaration of support for integration shocks the establishment.
• Motormouth Maybelle: “Things are changing, Hairspray. They’re changing.” – Maybelle’s hopeful statement encapsulates the film’s theme of progress and acceptance.
• Edna Turnblad: “Wilbur, maybe I haven’t been such a good wife. I haven’t been out of this house in years.” – Edna expresses her insecurities and desire for change to her husband.
• Tracy: “This isn’t about me anymore. It’s about them. And no one’s gonna shut them up again.” – Tracy passionately defends the black dancers and their right to be on the show.
• Corny Collins: “So, if you people want to see some integration, I’m all for it! Let’s get these kids out here dancing!” – Corny’s advocacy brings racial equality to the screen and ends discrimination.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $75,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $118,946,291
• Worldwide Gross: $203,630,031

💥 Hairspray Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing Hairspray in theaters and just being completely swept away! The music was so catchy, and I immediately bought the soundtrack. I also felt so inspired by Tracy’s confidence and how she stood up for what she believed in. John Travolta as Edna was definitely unexpected, but he brought so much heart to the role. The ‘You’re Timeless to Me’ scene with Christopher Walken always gets me. Definitely a movie I can watch again and again when I need a pick-me-up!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of musicals”
  • “Those interested in stories about social justice and activism”
  • “Viewers who enjoy feel-good movies with positive messages”
  • “Anyone who appreciates the 1960s era”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Themes of racism and prejudice”
  • “Some suggestive dance moves”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Hairspray bursts onto the screen with infectious energy and toe-tapping tunes. Nikki Blonsky shines, and Travolta’s Edna is surprisingly tender. A feel-good spectacle that tackles serious issues with a light touch.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A joyous, vibrant adaptation of the Broadway hit. Hairspray is pure entertainment, elevated by a stellar cast. The choreography is electrifying, and the message of inclusivity resonates strongly.
• Rolling Stone: “Hairspray is an explosion of color, music, and heart. Blonsky is a revelation, and the supporting cast is top-notch. This musical is a blast from start to finish, delivering a powerful message with a smile.

Audience Reactions

The music and dance numbers were infectiously energetic and made everyone want to dance.: Viewers loved the positive message of inclusivity and the feel-good nature of the film.

Nikki Blonsky’s performance as Tracy was a standout and captured the character’s spirit perfectly.: Critics and audiences alike praised the cast for their energy, enthusiasm, and vocal talents.

Overall Consensus: Hairspray is a beloved, feel-good musical that delivers a powerful message of inclusivity through its catchy tunes and energetic performances.

Awards

1. Critics’ Choice Movie Award (Best Acting Ensemble)- 2008

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “John Travolta wore a 30-pound fat suit and heavy prosthetics to play Edna Turnblad, requiring hours in makeup each day.”
• “Director Adam Shankman, primarily known as a choreographer, brought his dance expertise to the vibrant musical numbers.”
• “The film is based on the Broadway musical, which in turn was based on John Waters’ original 1988 film of the same name.”
• “Ricki Lake, who played Tracy Turnblad in the original 1988 film, makes a cameo appearance as a talent agent in the 2007 version.”

🖥️ How to Watch Hairspray?

Hairspray (2007) is widely available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television broadcasts. Unfortunately, as of this moment it is unavailable for streaming on subscription services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Hairspray, you might like these similar films:

• Grease (1978): Both are high-energy musical films set in the 1950s/60s with teenage protagonists and iconic song-and-dance numbers.
• Dirty Dancing (1987): Deals with themes of social class and standing up for what’s right, set against a backdrop of dance and romance.
• Cry-Baby (1990): John Waters film with a focus on teenage rebellion and social commentary, sharing Waters’ signature quirky humor.
• La La Land (2016): A vibrant, modern musical that celebrates dreams, passion, and the pursuit of a better world through art and love.
• Little Shop of Horrors (1986): A campy musical with dark humor and memorable songs that would appeal to fans of Hairspray’s over-the-top style.

🛒 Hairspray Related Products

• Hairspray (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): The complete soundtrack featuring all the unforgettable songs from the movie, including ‘Good Morning Baltimore’ and ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat.’
• Hairspray [Blu-ray]: Experience the vibrant colors and electrifying dance numbers in high definition with bonus content, including behind-the-scenes features and sing-along versions.
• Hairspray – The Complete Broadway Score: Dive deeper into the world of Hairspray with the sheet music, lyrics, and piano arrangements for every song from the stage musical, allowing you to play and sing along.
• Hairspray T-Shirt – ‘You Can’t Stop The Beat’: Show your love for Hairspray with this stylish t-shirt featuring the iconic phrase from the movie’s finale.

🎧 Soundtrack

Hairspray features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Good Morning Baltimore” – performed by Nikki Blonsky
• “The Nicest Kids in Town” – performed by James Marsden
• “Ladies’ Choice” – performed by Zac Efron
• “Run and Tell That” – performed by Elijah Kelley
• “Big, Blonde and Beautiful” – performed by Queen Latifah
• “You’re Timeless to Me” – performed by John Travolta and Christopher Walken
• “I Know Where I’ve Been” – performed by Queen Latifah
• “Without Love” – performed by Zac Efron, Nikki Blonsky, Elijah Kelley, and Amanda Bynes
• “You Can’t Stop the Beat” – performed by Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Elijah Kelley, John Travolta, and Queen Latifah

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Hairspray Inside the recording Booth

If you’re a fan of Hairspray’s iconic soundtrack, this video is a must-watch! Get a glimpse into the studio and hear how the talented cast brought these beloved songs to life.

Hairspray Be Like: pt 2

Looking for a quick laugh? Check out this hilarious short film that cleverly plays around with the iconic characters and situations from Hairspray. It’s a lighthearted and fun way to revisit the beloved movie.

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