Mrs and I went to see Hairspray last week in Ocean Shores (great little theater, cheap prices, no big crowds).  I highly recommend this movie.

If you are a fan of foreign films and don't like the lack of subtitles or humor that takes a rocket scientist to understand, this is not the movie for you. On the other hand, if you were wondering what John Travolta would pull off next, don't miss it.

The young lady in the lead role (Nicky Blonsky) is a newcomer and holds her own with Travolta, Christopher Walken, Michelle Pfeifer, Queen Latifa and others.  Her smile and energy is infectious.

Walken is Blonsky's father (and Travolta's husband!!!) who owns a gag joke store.  The scene with he and Pfeifer, as she's trying to come on to him, is priceless, as is the "love scene" with Travolta.

Queen Latifa heads part of the cast as an purposefully obnoxious MC of the "Negro" version of the dance show on TV in Baltimore in the early 1960s, when segregation was still vogue.  She takes you to a new dimension, though, as she sings a freedom song as they picket the city and TV studio where management refuses to integrate the kids dance show.  Watch closely for the tears running down her cheek as she sings.  Something tells me this was not contrived - just pure emotion of the message of her song.

John Travolta has done everything from Vinnie Barbarino to his "dual" part in "Face Off".  He has bombed and has had roles that set cultural changes (Saturday Night Fever and Urban Cowboy).  Love him or hate him, you really have to give him a try in his drag character as Blonsky's mother.  The character actually morphs from this demure woman that is self conscious of her weight to a singing dancing maniac in the final scenes - all of which is Travolta in costume and body suit.  I'm not sure how the Oscar's will handle this one - Best Supporting Actor or Actress.

Although I'm a musician, I'm not usually a big musical fan.  Hairspray and this year's earlier contribution Dream Girls, has me thinking I may need to open my mind a bit.