Hairspray

I saw this movie on my birthday weekend, just before my life got sidetracked by the release of Harry Potter book 7. I spent the rest of the weekend reading (see my review on my book blog).

I went into Hairspray expecting a lighthearted romp through the 60s, which is pretty much what I got, but with a more serious topic than I thought it would have. The theme of the movie is racial integration, and while it has quite a bit of fun blowing apart the idea that white, skinny people should rule the universe, the movie also holds up racial integration as an example of how progressive forces can win the future. Racial integration is surely not a new political phenomenon, but it's rare to see the issue addressed so directly in a movie. The country is more than ready for this type of movie, though, and may already be moving past it. John Travolta appears in drag and has a big part in the movie, which can be difficult to stomach for those of us who don't like John Travolta much to begin with. But, in comparison to Grease, this movie musical has more punch and is just as fun.