Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
'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.
John Waters' Hairspray is a genuinely singular film — a mainstream-accessible but distinctly Watersian concoction blending civil rights commentary, camp humor, and buoyant 1960s nostalgia in a way no one else could have made. The novelty is high: Waters softened his transgressive edge just enough to create something broadly appealing without losing his eccentric voice, and the casting of Divine in a sympathetic maternal role is a masterstroke. The plot is functional and charming but straightforward, hitting familiar underdog-triumph beats. Acting is energetic and committed across the board (Ricki Lake, Divine, Debbie Harry all shine) without being transformative. Cinematography is competent but unremarkable — Waters never prioritized visual style in this period. The ending delivers the feel-good payoff the film promises without surprising anyone.