Hairspray (2007)

Perky, plus-size teenager Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) loves a local Baltimore dance show hosted by Corny Collins (James Marsden). When one of the regular female dancers drops out, Tracy runs to the TV station to audition. Intially, she is rejected by Velma (Michelle Pfeiffer), the mean TV station manager. Velma's main interest is in keeping her spoiled daughter Amber (Brittany Snow), who dances on the show, in the limelight. Tracy's dancing skills, some of which were picked up from Seaweed (Elijah Kelly) and his friends, catch the notice of Corny, and he puts her on the show. The station owner, Mr. Spritzer (Paul Dooley) is not happy about that, and neither is Velma. Velma schemes to kick Tracy off the show.

Seaweed and the other African-American students introduce Tracy and her best friend Penny (Amanda Byrne) to local personality Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah). Due to the racial politics of the time -- the movie is set in 1962 -- African-Americans are only allowed to dance on "The Corny Collins Show" once a month on "Negro Day". Motormouth Maybelle hosts the show on that day. When Tracy becomes involved in efforts to integrate the dance show, she further incurs the ire of Velma, who is a major bigot.

This movie is based on the Broadway play, as well as being an musical version of the original film that was released in 1988. The songs are practically non-stop, from Tracy greeting the day with "Good Morning Baltimore" to Tracy's parents doing a romantic number to Motormouth Maybelle doing a blues tune. The songs are pleasant, and they invoke the period the film is set in, but they are not very memorable. Audiences may be surprised to hear James Marsden and Christopher Walken (playing Tracy's dad) singing. However, Marsden had sang on an episode of "Ally McBeal", and Walken's performing background includes both singing and dancing. The plot, which tackles racial discrimination and fat acceptance, handles both subjects in a gentle and light manner.

John Travolta appears in drag, playing Tracy's zaftig mom Edna. He is no stranger to singing and dancing, as seen previously in Grease (1978) and Saturday Night Fever (1977). Neither is Michelle Pfeiffer, who appeared in Grease 2 (1982) and The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989). Jerry Stiller, who appeared as Tracy's dad in the 1988 film, has a small role as the owner of full-figured clothes shop. John Walters, who helmed the earlier film, appears during the opening number. Look closely during the scenes at the end, and you'll see former talk show host Ricki Lake, who played Tracy in the 1988 film.