 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
- Review Date: December 13, 2009
- R
- Genre: Musical
- 2001
Common Sense Media says
Poignant transsexual musical brims with wit, adult themes.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the main character in this energetic musical is a man who has undergone a botched sex change operation and lives life as a sort of drag queen rock star. Sexual dancing, innuendo, profanity, and tension thread through the entire film, including discussion of prostitution and oral sex. One scene includes brief, loveless intercourse where bodies are covered by a sheet, and another indicates an offscreen sexual act involving a hand. A couple scenes show male nudity from behind, and one segment shows illustrations of naked, non-sexual men and women.
What's the story?
Hedwig started life as a young boy in East Berlin. He ends up as a she, touring the Midwest as a fabulously be-wigged transsexual rock singer. The story of Hedwig's early life unfolds in flashbacks: he was born Hansel, of a German mother and American serviceman. After his mother suspects his father of sexually abusing him, she kicks him out. As a teenager, young Hansel meets a handsome American serviceman, who offers escape to the United States through marriage. So young Hansel becomes Hedwig in a botched sex-change operation (hence the "angry inch"). The new husband moves Hedwig to Kansas and eventually leaves her in a trailer park. Here Hedwig meets the young teenage Tommy, who she grooms to be a musician and eventually a rock star, all while nursing an uncomfortable romance. When Tommy makes it big, he cuts his ties to Hedwig. She goes on tour, shadowing Tommy's appearances, and wielding anger, resentment, pain, and eventually hope, on stage.
Is it any good?
What started as a cult success off-Broadway translates surprisingly well onscreen -- perhaps because John Cameron Mitchell, who wrote and starred as Hedwig on stage, also directs and stars in the film. Mitchell portrays Hedwig with such poignancy -- someone who is both cruel and vulnerable, desperate and hopeful. The film uses illustration, flashbacks, surrealism, and music to create a unique film that's both fun to watch, at times hilariously witty, and touching too -- just not for kids.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about gender identity. What do you believe makes someone a man or a woman? What is Hedwig? What do you think about people who change their physical body to be more like a different gender?
Besides someone's body, what else makes someone a man or a woman? What did you think about Hedwig's "Origin of Love" idea?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Parent of 17 year old
February 23, 2011
AGE
For parents and teens who like gay musicals
The mythology that Hedwig borrows for "The Origin of Love" positively interprets queer experiences of longing, love, and identity as natural and equal to the experiences of straight people. I recommend this for adolescents who are curious about queer lives: their parents, their friends, their own. It is a musical, a love story, a bildungsroman (I love the irony of this), and a piece of modern mythology.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 17 years old
September 1, 2011
AGE
Total Indie Film; Totally Amazing
WHOA. "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" rocked my world. This movie is SO good. It's refreshing to see a musical/ movie with not only an original plot, but brilliant songs and phenomenal acting. John Cameron Mitchell is amazing as Hedwig, and the other actors are awesome, too. This movie is ripe with symbolism, as most indie films are. You could write an entire analytical essay on the last ten minutes of the film alone. The ending is very much open to interpretation, and extremely symbolic, so much so that I was actually pretty confused while I was watching it. I would recommend this movie for people at least 15 (I just saw it today and I'm 14, even though my profile says 17, that was a mistake). Some people will probably be uncomfortable with this movie's subject matter, since the main character is a transsexual with a botched sex change operation. There's swearing and some sexual stuff, and a brief shot of male nudity shown from behind. This movie has very positive messages, a lot about love and discovering who you really are. "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is brilliant; I definitely recommend this movie. Also, if you ever get the opportunity to see the live show version, that's excellent too.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
February 3, 2013
AGE
Great film, just not for kids and younger teens. ^^
The film has some really catchy tunes and is even kind of inspiring, it's just not for younger teens and children. I'd suggest 15 and up because of the sexual scenes, profanity and alcohol use.
What other families should know:
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| Studio: | New Line |
| Director: | John Cameron Mitchell |
| Cast: | John Cameron Mitchell, Michael Pitt |
| Genre: | Musical |
| Run time: | 91 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 27, 2001 |
| DVD release date: | December 11, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | adult content, graphic language, mild violence, nudity, and strong sexual content. |
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