Hairspray Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A chubby girl with big hair dances her way into history by causing the whitest city ever to awkwardly integrate a TV show while her mom irons, forever.

🍿 Hairspray: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Tracy’s Dream

In 1962 Baltimore, Tracy Turnblad, a pleasantly plump teenager, dreams of dancing on the Corny Collins Show, a popular local TV dance program. Despite her weight and societal expectations, Tracy is determined to achieve her goal.

Becoming a Star

Tracy auditions for the Corny Collins Show and, to everyone’s surprise (especially the reigning queen, Amber Von Tussle), wins a spot as a regular dancer. Her infectious energy and dance moves quickly make her a local celebrity, much to the dismay of Amber and her scheming mother, Velma.

Fighting for Integration

Tracy becomes aware of the show’s segregation policy, where Black dancers are only allowed on “Negro Day.” Outraged by this injustice, she teams up with Motormouth Maybelle, a local record store owner and R&B DJ, and her son Seaweed to fight for integration and equal opportunities on the Corny Collins Show.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake): A pleasantly plump teenager who dreams of dancing on a local TV show and fights for racial integration in 1962 Baltimore.
• Edna Turnblad (Divine): Tracy’s initially shy and overweight mother who transforms into a confident and stylish woman.
• Velma Von Tussle (Debbie Harry): The prejudiced and manipulative stage mother of Amber who opposes integration and tries to sabotage Tracy’s success.
• Amber von Tussle (Vitamin C): The spoiled and prejudiced teen queen of the Corny Collins Show who becomes Tracy’s rival.
• Link Larkin (Michael St. Gerard): The handsome and popular heartthrob on the Corny Collins Show who falls for Tracy and supports her cause.
• Motormouth Maybelle (Ruth Brown): A record store owner and host of ‘Negro Day’ on the Corny Collins Show who becomes an ally and mentor to Tracy in her fight for integration.
• Wilbur Turnblad (Jerry Stiller): Tracy’s loving and supportive father, who runs a novelty shop and encourages his daughter’s dreams.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tracy Turnblad: “Oh, Link. This is so romantic. I wish – I wish I was dark-skinned.” – Tracy expresses her admiration for the black dancers and their culture.
• Link Larkin: “Tracy, our souls are black, even though our skin is white.” – Link shows his support for integration and equality.
• Edna Turnblad: “I’m trying to iiiiiiiiiiiiron..” – Edna Turnblad said that she was busy.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,671,108
• Worldwide Gross: $6,679,652

💥 Hairspray Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Hairspray’ is one of those movies I can watch a million times! Ricki Lake is perfect as Tracy, and honestly, Divine as Edna is iconic. The scene where Penny’s mom freaks out in Motormouth Maybelle’s record shop is pure gold. I love how the movie tackles segregation with humor and heart. It always leaves me feeling good!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of John Waters’ films”
  • “Viewers interested in social commentary and satire”
  • “Those who enjoy 1960s-era music and dance”
  • “Individuals who appreciate stories about overcoming prejudice”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depiction of racial segregation”
  • “Some dated cultural depictions”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “John Waters delivers a surprisingly accessible and heartwarming film. ‘Hairspray’ manages to be both hilarious and thought-provoking, blending camp with a powerful message of integration. Ricki Lake shines, and the soundtrack is pure gold!
• New York Times: “Waters’ ‘Hairspray’ is a delightful romp through 1960s Baltimore. The film offers insightful cultural commentary with some well-balanced camp. Divine is unforgettable, and the dance numbers are infectiously energetic. A must-see!

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved Divine’s performance as Edna Turnblad, calling it iconic and hilarious.: The movie’s upbeat energy and feel-good message about acceptance and integration resonated with audiences.

Ricki Lake’s portrayal of Tracy Turnblad was seen as an inspiring and empowering performance.: The soundtrack and dance numbers were praised for being catchy, fun, and perfectly capturing the 1960s vibe.

Overall Consensus: A feel-good musical comedy with a heart. It’s message of acceptance is delivered through campy humor, energetic music, and endearing characters.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Ricki Lake began rapidly losing weight due to the intense dance lessons she had to take for the film and had to ‘eat like crazy’ to stay plump.”
• “The main title credits in the Italian version misspell Ric Ocasek’s name as ‘Rock Ocasek’.”
• “This was Divine’s final film role before his death.”

🖥️ How to Watch Hairspray?

Hairspray (1988) is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local listings for cable or streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Grease (1978): Shares the theme of teenage life in the 1950s/60s with music and dance.
• Cry-Baby (1990): Another John Waters film that explores teenage rebellion and social issues with a quirky sense of humor.
• Footloose (1984): Deals with teenage rebellion against oppressive rules, with a focus on music and dance.

🛒 Hairspray Related Products

• Hairspray (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the magic of 1962 Baltimore with this collection of toe-tapping tunes featured in the original film. A must-have for any ‘Hairspray’ fan!
• Hairspray (1988) – Limited Edition Blu-ray: Experience John Waters’ classic in stunning high definition. This limited edition includes exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Hairspray – Tracy Turnblad: Add a touch of Baltimore charm to your collection with this adorable Tracy Turnblad Funko Pop! figure. A perfect tribute to the ‘pleasantly plump’ heroine!
• ‘I Can Hear the Bells’ – Sheet Music: Learn to play the memorable ‘I Can Hear the Bells’ song from ‘Hairspray’. This officially licensed sheet music is perfect for musicians of all skill levels and fans.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Hairspray” – performed by Rachel Sweet
• “Welcome to the 60’s” – performed by Ricki Lake, Divine, Jerry Stiller

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Hairspray Inside the recording Booth

Ever wondered what it’s like in the recording booth when creating a movie musical? Check out this video to see the cast of Hairspray belting out their amazing tunes, and even a sneak peek of Brittany Snow! It’s surprisingly fun to watch.

✨ Rate