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Hairspray

1988

John Waters

Sonny Bono, Ruth Brown, Divine, Deborah Harry ...

6.3

2,732

Musical. Comedy 'Pleasantly Plump' teenager Tracy Turnblad achieves her dream of becoming a regular on the Corny Collins Dance Show. Now a teen hero, she starts using her fame to speak out for the causes she believes in, most of all integration. In doing so, she earns the wrath of the show's former star, Amber Von Tussle, as well as Amber's manipulative, pro-segregation parents. The rivalry comes to a head as Amber and Tracy vie for the title of Miss Auto Show 1963. [+]

	Media	Author	Review
		Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader	"Not only Waters's best movie, but a crossover gesture that expands his appeal without compromising his vision"
		Pauline Kael The New Yorker	"An entertainingly imbecilic musical comedy—a piece of pop dadaism"
		Variety Staff Variety	"A slight but often highly amusing diversion about integration, big girls' fashions and music-mad teens in 1962 Baltimore"
		Peter Bradshaw The Guardian	"'Hairspray' shows that Baltimore is the natural home of twisted legends and gothic subversives: Edgar Allan Poe, Dr Hannibal Lecter … and John Waters. (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"
		Roger Ebert rogerebert.com	"The movie probably has the most to say to people who were teenagers in the early ‘60s, but they are, I suppose, the people least likely to see this movie. It also will appeal to today’s teenagers (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 4)"
		TV Guide	"Waters finally hits his commercial stride in this film, parlaying his keen social observation and great compassion for society's outsiders into a colorful and engaging comedy full of dancing, music and heartfelt nostalgia."
		Richard Corliss Time	"See 'Hairspray'. It's light and airy, but it will stick around: the first aerosol movie."

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