This brief film review examines the 2007 musical Hairspray, directed and choreographed by Adam Shankman. The paper discusses the film's central storyline — following Tracy Turnblad, an overweight Baltimore teenager who challenges social norms — and highlights its dual appeal as an entertaining, campy musical and a thoughtful commentary on 1960s segregation and stereotyping. The review also evaluates the film's standout musical numbers, its ensemble cast of well-known Hollywood names, and the breakout performance of newcomer Nikki Blonsky in the lead role.
The paper demonstrates the technique of thematic analysis within a film review context. Rather than simply summarizing the plot, it identifies and unpacks a central theme — the critique of 1960s racial segregation and social stereotyping — and connects that theme to specific story elements, such as the protest march and the treatment of overweight characters. This shows how a reviewer can move beyond description toward interpretation.
The paper follows a four-part structure: a brief introduction establishing the thesis (favorite film of 2007 and why), a thematic analysis section examining the film's social message, a discussion of the musical numbers and their stylistic authenticity, and a section evaluating the cast with particular attention to Nikki Blonsky's breakout performance. A short conclusion restates the central argument and adds a note about the film's rewatchability.
My favorite film of 2007 was Hairspray, directed and choreographed by Adam Shankman, because it is entertaining while also carrying an important message. It tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, an overweight teenager from Baltimore who is not afraid to be herself and draw attention through her actions and ideas. She is in love with one of the performers on the "Corny Collins Show," a local teen dance program, who also attends her school. The story is fun and the film is very campy: Tracy's mother is played by John Travolta in drag, her father is an eccentric magic shop owner, and she befriends the Black kids in detention so she can dance with them.
While the film is fun, it also carries a meaningful message. It examines the racial segregation and prejudice of the 1960s, including a Black protest march against the segregation of the "Corny Collins Show," which Tracy and her mother attend together. It is a film with a happy ending, which may make it feel more "Hollywood," but it prompts viewers to reflect on stereotypes of all kinds — from overweight people to Black people and beyond.
Hairspray is my favorite film of 2007 because it is fun, its musical numbers are engaging, and it makes me think at the same time. At first glance it seems like just another Broadway musical brought to the screen, but its message runs much deeper than that — and it is exactly the kind of film worth watching again and again.
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