Hairspray
'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.
Critics Sentiment
Tracy returns, Corny announces integration, Tracy performs the Bug dance
Penny begins dating Seaweed horrifying her racist parents
The film drops from the infectious energy of Maybelle's record shop to the darker territory of Penny's racist parents and psychiatric torture, before recovering for the triumphant finale.
Hairspray maintains steady enjoyment throughout most of its runtime, with reviewers consistently praising Ricki Lake's debut performance and Waters' surprisingly mainstream approach. The film dips slightly during its heavier racial conflict scenes but recovers strongly for an energetic, message-driven finale. Critics appreciated the balance of camp humor with earnest civil rights themes, though some noted the narrative resolution felt rushed.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 121
Ricki Lake
Tracy Turnblad
Divine
Edna Turnblad / Arvin Hodgepile
Debbie Harry
Velma Von Tussle
Vitamin C
Amber von Tussle
Sonny Bono
Franklin von Tussle
Leslie Ann Powers
Penny Pingleton
Ruth Brown
Motormouth Maybelle
Jerry Stiller
Wilbur Turnblad
Michael St. Gerard
Link Larkin
Clayton Prince
Seaweed
Mink Stole
Tammy
Shawn Thompson
Corny Collins
Ric Ocasek
Beatnik Cat
Pia Zadora
Beatnik Chick
Jo Ann Havrilla
Prudence Pingleton
Alan J. Wendl
Mr. Pinky
Josh Charles
Iggy
Jason Downs
Bobby
Holter Graham
I.Q. Jones
Dan Griffith
Brad
Crew
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