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Parents' Guide to

Hairspray (2007)

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Infectiously fun musical with a message.

Movie PG 2007 120 minutes
Hairspray (2007) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 30 parent reviews

Greg Blum
Greg Blum Adult
March 30, 2019
age 16+

Inappropriate for younger kids...

"Daddy, why did that boy pull a sock out of his pants?" "Well, honey - boys want to make their bulge look larger than it actually is, just like girls like to make their breasts look larger." "Oh, is that why that she pulled the stuff out of her bra?" These are some of the questions that might come up while watching HAIRSPRAY. The movie was very entertaining as far as a musical goes, but the "message" of fat-shaming and racism seem to go un-noticed. I am surprised so many parents miss the overt sexual innuendo and promiscuity. (Not to mention the smoking!)

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
3 people found this helpful.
Bwhamilton
Bwhamilton Parent of 6 and 9-year-old
April 21, 2023
age 10+
Very fun musical for the whole family. Definitely sparked questions and good conversation about racism in "the olden days", but I was prepared for this. My daughters love this movie.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 30 parent reviews

What's the Story?

HAIRSPRAY starts with an infectious song -- "Good Morning Baltimore" -- that sets the cheery tone of Adam Shankman's feature-film adaptation of the Broadway adaptation of John Waters' campy 1988 comedy. The update, also set in 1962 Baltimore, has slightly less kitsch than the original -- but, thanks to the fabulous soundtrack and adorable cast, even more charm. Newcomer Nikki Blonsky makes heroine Tracy Turnblad zaftig and adorable. Tracy doesn't let her plus-sized body keep her from dancing like a pro, trying out for the local TV station's American Bandstand copycat The Corny Collins Show, and crushing on the show's dreamy hunk Link Larkin (High School Musical star Zac Efron). Her favorite episodes aren't the lily-white ones hosted by Corny (James Marsden) but the "Negro Day" specials hosted by Motormouth Maybelle (a big and blonde Queen Latifah). When Tracy finally lands a spot on the show -- much to the chagrin of skeletal station manager/racist ice queen Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer) -- the first thing she tells Corny is that she wishes "every day could be Negro Day." Tracy develops such a faithful following that she convinces her oversized mom, Edna (John Travolta in layers of drag), to leave the house for the first time and be her manager.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (30 ):
Kids say (117 ):

Director (and choreographer) Shankman captures both the essence of the Broadway show's magic and the original film's timeless camp value to create a memorable movie musical. Shankman is best known for formulaic romantic and family comedies, but he successfully achieved here what 2005's The Producers utterly failed to do. (Oh, and that cutie pie Efron definitely helps, too.)

Travolta should consider his role a gift, since he's more enchanting as Mrs. Turnblad than he's been on screen in more than a decade. And as Mrs. Turnblad's husband, Wilbur, Christopher Walken again perfects his mastery of slow talking and soft shoeing. Waters himself couldn't have cast a better mom and pop odd couple. Some of the best songs and moves belong to the "Negro Day" dancers, like smooth-talking Seaweed (Elijah Kelly, who deserves an Efron-esque following of his own after this stand-out performance). And Queen Latifah's ballad "I Know Where I've Been" touchingly accompanies a civil-rights march calling for on-air desegregation.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about prejudice and racism. Mrs. Von Tussle assumes that Tracy isn't talented because of her size, but Tracy proves her wrong. Tracy's determination and self esteem are strong despite her weight. How are overweight kids discriminated against today? What about minorities? Even though there's no more segregation, do kids of color get picked on for being different? Kids: What does Tracy teach us about judging people (and their abilities) by their looks? Families who've seen the original (or the Broadway show) can also talk about how this movie is similar to -- and different from -- the other incarnations.

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