Hairspray
Seen it?1988 | 92 min | Comedy
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
Critics loved it (98% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 32 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
'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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$7 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 289K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by John Waters
- Ricki LakeTracy Turnblad
- DivineEdna Turnblad / Arvin Hodgepile
- Debbie HarryVelma Von Tussle
- Vitamin CAmber von Tussle
- Sonny BonoFranklin von Tussle
- Leslie Ann PowersPenny Pingleton
- Ruth BrownMotormouth Maybelle
- Jerry StillerWilbur Turnblad
- Michael St. GerardLink Larkin
- Clayton PrinceSeaweed