Hairspray Movie Analysis Essay Sample

Hairspray (2007) is a film set in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland. This year was a time that America was facing the social construct of segregation. While some Americans were pushing for integration, many states still had segregation and Jim Crow laws.  The film follows the tale of Tracy Turnblad, a chubby white teenage female who has different views from her fellow Americans on segregation issues.

Hairspray is set in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland. The movie begins with Tracy Turnblad waking up and singing “Good Morning Baltimore.” The camera follows her as she gets ready for school. While this scene plays, you can notice several hints to what decade this movie is set in. For example, Tracy sets her hair in a “flicked up bob,” a hairstyle with curled ends and volume that was popular during the 1960s. Some female characters support a “Beehive” hairdo such as Amber that was popular during this timeframe as well. Most of the men in this movie have slick-backed hair that was popular during the sixties, such as Link Larkin. You can notice a home phone on the wall when Tracy enters the kitchen and an old-school fridge that would be considered “vintage” today.  Another example is that the Turnblad’s television is shown in black and white. The clothing throughout the movie is another hint to show it’s during the sixties. Women are typically depicted with dresses or long knee or ankle-length skirts, a popular style during this timeframe. 

Sixteen-year-old Tracy Turnblad is the main character of this movie. The overall problem that she faces is segregation. Another problem she faces throughout the movie is being an overweight female in an unforgiving society. Tracy is obsessed with The Corny Collins Show and one of the main characters, Link. While trying out for the show, Velma Von Tussle and her ensemble sing to Tracy “so short and stout, you’ll never be in so we’re kicking you out” after she responds to an integration question. However, against Velma’s wishes, Corny allows Tracy on the show after he sees her dancing. Velma and Amber become jealous when Tracy gains votes for Miss Teenage Hairspray. As an effort to get under Tracy’s skin,  Velma convinces the producer to cancel the show’s monthly “Negro Day.” After the news gets to Tracy and Seaweed, they decide to hold a protest. Tracy arrives at the protest and is the only caucasian protesting for equal representation on The Corny Collins Show. She marches at the front supporting a sign that reads “Integration NOT Segregation.”  When blocked by police before the studio, Tracy “assaults” an officer then becomes a fugitive of the law. While being blocked from entering the show during the Teenage Hairspray pageant, Tracy enters in a way the police do not expect, in a large hollow hairspray prop. As Corny is about to announce that Amber has won the competition, Tracy interrupts and states that Amber is about to get out-danced. Link pulls Seaweed’s little sister Inez onto the dance floor with him. People begin to call in and vote for Inez, making her the Winner of Teenage Miss Hairspray ‘62. After the announcement of Inez winning, Corny announces that his show is “now and forever officially integrated.” 

Personal drama does occur throughout this movie, but I believe it does not distract from the historical plot. Tracy is in love with Link, and if she was not obsessed with him, she may not have tried out for the show. Also, if this personal drama didn’t happen, we would not have the lyrical masterpiece of “I Can Hear the Bells,” one of my favorite songs throughout the movie besides when Link/Zac Efron sings “Ladies Choice.” Penny, Tracy’s best friend, falls in love with Seaweed, a young African American man. While that may not be controversial during current times, in the 1960s with segregation being a major topic, it was practically unheard of and frowned upon. I believe this “drama” adds to the plot and topic of segregation within the movie. 

This particular film version was made in 2007. The first film was made in 1988, with the Broadway adaptation written in 2002. In the United States, 2007 was the year Barack Obama announced his presidency and in 2008, he became the first African American president. Unfortunately, racial prejudices were not only prevalent in the 1960s, but also in 2007 and still exist to this day.  The events of this year didn’t affect the plot of the movie. This movie is based on a past movie from 1988 and the Broadway play that debuted in 2002. 

I have always been attracted to the 1960s fashion and aesthetic, minus segregation and how women were treated. Besides Hairspray, Dirty Dancing and Grease are my favorite movies. Dirty Dancing is set in 1963 and although Grease is set in 1959, it still has fashion that is prevalent in the 1960s. Now, while I am attracted to the “vintage” fashion of that particular decade, adding Zac Efron as an actor was a plus. I also enjoy the musical aspects throughout the movie. As I mentioned earlier, “Ladies’ Choice” is my favorite song; however, I was shocked that they didn’t include any Elvis Presley songs. 

Overall, I enjoy this movie. I have also seen it as a play several times, including when Wallace’s College of Performing Arts put it on. If I’m being honest, I probably watch it at least once a year, if not more. It makes me fall in love with the 1960s aesthetic and fashion every time. Usually, it also makes me fall in love with musicals again and again.