Hairspray 2007

In the sweltering Baltimore summer of 1962, a bright-eyed teenager named Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) awakens with an infectious enthusiasm for her humble neighborhood, where she discovers beauty in the mundane (“Good Morning Baltimore”). This plucky young dancer and bouffant aficionado is met with skepticism by her peers due to her plus-size figure, but finds solace in her best friend Penny Pingleton (Amanda Bynes), who shares Tracy’s passion for the popular after-school dance program, The Corny Collins Show. This beloved broadcast, sponsored by Ultra-Clutch hairspray, features a troupe of teenage dancers known as the Council Kids, and is beamed live onto Baltimore’s WYZT station. Though the show is helmed by the charismatic host Corny Collins (James Marsden), it remains segregated, with only white dancers featured except for one special night each month, designated “Negro Day.” Tracy and Penny rush home from school to watch the program (“The Nicest Kids In Town”), much to the chagrin of Tracy’s mother Edna (John Travolta), a laundress who works from home and is self-conscious about her size. Edna expresses concern over Tracy’s interest in dance, fearing it will lead to ridicule due to her weight.

Meanwhile, Penny’s mother Prudy (Allison Janney) disapproves of The Corny Collins Show, largely due to her own racist biases and a disdain for the growing influence of R&B on pop music. Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer), the station manager and domineering mother of Amber (Brittany Snow), shares Prudy’s distaste for “race music” and pushes for her daughter’s features to take precedence over those of the other dancers. The Council Kids, including Tracy’s crush Link Larkin (Zac Efron), attend her high school, and Tracy is smitten whenever she catches sight of this heartthrob, who just happens to be Amber’s boyfriend.

As Tracy becomes increasingly enamored with the world of dance and the charismatic host Corny Collins, she begins to envision a future where The Corny Collins Show is no longer segregated, and where her own passion for dance can help bridge the gap between two worlds. Little does Tracy know that her dreams are about to take center stage in a big way.

As the news spreads like wildfire through the corridors of Baltimore’s high schools, Tracy can barely contain her excitement when Corny Collins announces an unexpected vacancy on his popular dance show. This rare opportunity arises from a “nine-month” leave of absence taken by one of their female dancers, prompting an open call for auditions to fill the spot. Edna’s well-intentioned attempts to temper Tracy’s enthusiasm notwithstanding, her father Wilbur (Christopher Walken), a joke-shop proprietor with a heart of gold, is thrilled to see his daughter chasing her dreams and offers his full support.

The next day, Tracy and Penny make a bold move by cutting school to attend the audition. With their spirits soaring, they arrive at the station, where a brief dance test awaits. However, Velma Von Tussle’s harsh critique leaves Tracy dejected, dismissing her as not suitable due to her weight and perceived lack of integration-friendly appeal (“The Legend of Miss Baltimore Crabs”). As Tracy trudges back to school, she’s met with an unexpected consequence: detention for skipping class.

But fate has other plans. As Tracy sits in the detention room, surrounded by the sounds of R&B music, she discovers a vibrant community of students from different backgrounds gathering and dancing together. Here, she meets Seaweed J. Stubbs (Elijah Kelly), the group’s charismatic leader, who recognizes her as an admirer of his monthly Negro Day performances. As they bond over their shared love of dance, Tracy learns some of Seaweed’s impressive moves.

Just then, Link Larkin happens upon the scene, and his eyes widen in amazement at Tracy’s natural talent. He whispers to her about Corny Collins hosting a hop, and that she has all it takes to join the Council. As the school bell rings, signaling the end of the day, Link’s accidental collision with Tracy sends her into a euphoric reverie, imagining their interaction (“I Can Hear the Bells”).

As the curtain opens on Corny Collins’ public dance, teenagers from both sides of the tracks converge, though the dance floor remains segregated by a rope. Link is in his element, performing an energetic song (“Ladies’ Choice”), and Tracy spots Seaweed among the black dancers. He urges her to borrow some of the moves he taught her, and impress Corny Collins. With renewed confidence, Tracy dazzles the audience with her dance skills, earning the attention of both Link and Corny (and the horror of Velma Von Tussle). In a stunning turn of events, Tracy is chosen as the new Council member for The Corny Collins Show. Her parents, Penny, and Seaweed can’t help but be thrilled by this remarkable development.

As Negro Day festivities unfold at Seaweed’s mother, Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah), takes center stage as host and television personality. The broadcast’s biases are starkly reflected in a song performed by the black dancers, which is met with stern disapproval from Velma upon being upstaged by their white counterparts’ rendition of “The New Girl in Town”. This unexpected turn of events sparks a wave of excitement for Tracy, who finds herself catapulted to local celebrity status and becoming one of the show’s most beloved dancers. Despite Velma’s disgust and Amber’s disdain, Tracy’s charisma and talent capture the hearts of the audience.

Mr. Spritzer (Paul Dooley), CEO of Ultra-Clutch hairspray, initially dismisses Tracy as a “chubby communist” after she declares her desire to make every day Negro Day on-air. However, as ratings and sales skyrocket due to her infectious enthusiasm, he is forced to reevaluate his stance. Wilbur seizes the opportunity to capitalize on Tracy’s newfound fame by stocking his joke shop, the Hardy-Har Hut, with Tracy-themed merchandise, while Edna finally begins to grasp that her daughter’s weight is not a barrier to achieving success. This newfound recognition prompts an offer from Mr. Pinky (Jerry Stiller), owner of a local plus-size dress shop, for Tracy to become their official spokesperson.

As Tracy basks in the glow of her sudden fame, Edna suggests securing the services of a professional agent to navigate the chaos. Initially hesitant, Tracy eventually convinces Edna to accompany her to meet with Mr. Pinky and review a contract. After both mother and daughter receive makeovers at Mr. Pinky’s shop, they celebrate their new looks over coffee at a diner. However, the joy is short-lived as Amber and Velma arrive, prompting Tracy to introduce them to her mother. The tension simmers just below the surface, but it’s not until Velma’s parting shot reduces Edna to tears that the true nature of their motives becomes clear: Amber’s desire to win the upcoming Miss Teenage Hairspray pageant is threatened by Tracy’s growing popularity.

As Tracy’s star continues to shine brightly at school, students go to great lengths to incur detention slips simply to catch a glimpse of her after classes. Meanwhile, Link finds himself increasingly disillusioned with Amber’s cruel pranks and gossip, gradually gravitating towards Tracy’s warm and welcoming presence. With Seaweed as their guide, Tracy introduces Penny to the vibrant world of African American culture, sparking an instant connection between Seaweed and Penny. As a result, the trio is invited to a lively gathering at Motormouth Maybelle’s record shop, where they meet Little Inez (Taylor Parks), Seaweed’s charming younger sister. There, amidst a sea of talented young performers, Seeweed leads the group in an empowering anthem celebrating individuality and self-expression (“Run and Tell That”).

The party atmosphere is palpable as Penny, Link, and Tracy mingle with their new friends at Maybelle’s shop, initially hesitant but soon lost in the infectious energy. As they bond over shared values and passions, Tracy and Link find themselves united by a desire to see The Corny Collins Show integrate its cast, with Link hinting that he has finally made his choice between Amber and Tracy.

Meanwhile, behind closed doors at the Von Tussle estate, Amber is consumed by despair as she confides in her mother, Velma, about losing Link’s affections. Velma, determined to reignite her son’s singing career, reassures Amber that she will make everything right again. As Amber plots her next move, she anonymously reports Tracy’s whereabouts to Edna, prompting the latter to rush over to Maybelle’s shop and attempt to whisk Tracy away. However, Maybelle proves a gracious hostess, tempting Edna with an abundance of delicious food and warm hospitality.

As the partygoers begin to disperse, Tracy, Penny, Link, Seaweed, and the dancers are met with devastating news: Velma Von Tussle has officially canceled Negro Day on The Corny Collins Show. Outraged by this sudden turn of events, Tracy suggests staging a protest march on the WYZT studio, an idea enthusiastically endorsed by Maybelle and the performers. However, Link, mindful of his impending singing debut at the Miss Teenage Hairspray pageant, hesitates, fearing that participating in the march might jeopardize his budding career. Apologetic but sincere, he shares his concerns with Tracy, leaving her heartbroken as a result.

As the night wears on without the anticipated return of Edna and Tracy, Velma seizes the opportunity to unveil a sultry new persona at the Hardy-Har Hut. With Wilbur Turnblad (Wilbur) absorbed in his novelty goods, Velma’s seductive charms fall flat, leaving her to ponder her next move. Meanwhile, Edna and Tracy arrive home, where Tracy retires for the night with a heavy heart. But Edna, revitalized by the culinary delights of Maybelle’s party, takes to getting ready for a night out on the town, determined to track down her errant husband.

As she sashays into the joke shop, Edna stumbles upon Velma attempting to coax Wilbur into a compromising situation. Enraged by the scene unfolding before her eyes, Edna storms out of the shop in a fury. Back at their home, Edna’s emotions run high as she locks up the house and spends hours sobbing uncontrollably. Her anger still simmering, Edna issues an ultimatum to Tracy: never again will she set foot on The Corny Collins Show.

That same night, Tracy seeks out her father in his joke shop sanctuary, where he’s found slumbering amidst a sea of whoopie cushions. Wilbur assures Tracy that nothing untoward transpired between him and Velma, reaffirming his unwavering devotion to Edna. As Tracy opens up about her fears for the future, Wilbur offers words of encouragement, urging her to stay true to herself.

Tracy returns home, where she finds solace in sleep. Meanwhile, Wilbur makes amends with his wife (“You’re Timeless to Me”), their argument forgotten. The next morning, Edna attempts to rouse Tracy from slumber, only to discover that her daughter has already slipped out of the house and into the protest marches. Fearful for Tracy’s safety, Edna sets off in pursuit, determined to bring her wayward daughter back home.

Here’s my rephrased version:

As Tracy joins forces with the passionate protesters, led by the fiery Motormouth Maybelle (“I Know Where I’ve Been”), Edna finally catches up to try and reason with her daughter, but Tracy refuses to back down. The determined group marches on, only to be met with a police roadblock, where they’re curtly instructed to disperse. When an officer’s disrespect towards Maybelle reaches a boiling point, Tracy seizes the moment to express her outrage, and chaos erupts as he accuses her of assault, leading to a flurry of arrests. Fleeing to Penny’s sanctuary, Tracy finds refuge in their basement fallout shelter until Prudy discovers them and calls the authorities on her fugitive friend. Trapped in the basement room while Penny is restrained with a jump rope in her bedroom by her mother as punishment for harboring Tracy, the rebellious teenager awaits rescue. Seaweed ultimately frees Penny and confesses his love, allowing them to break Tracy out of the window and make their escape by car. Meanwhile, Link, wracked with guilt over not supporting Tracy, pays a visit to the Turnblads, whose anxiety about Tracy’s whereabouts knows no bounds. As he surveys Tracy’s room, Link finally acknowledges his true feelings for her (“Without Love”). With the group reassembled, they concoct a daring plan to crash the Miss Teenage Hairspray pageant the very next day.

The following morning, Velma, well aware of Tracy’s involvement in the protest, mobilizes police forces around the studio as the pageant gets underway. The security personnel are shown pictures of Tracy and receive explicit orders to prevent her from entering the building at any cost. Undeterred, the teenagers devise an intricate scheme to infiltrate the studio and smuggle Tracy inside without detection. Just in time for the dance competition, Tracy arrives onstage, joined by Link, who has chosen Little Inez as his partner, no longer concerned with impressing the talent scouts but rather determined to bring The Corny Collins Show one step closer to integration (“You Can’t Stop the Beat”). The phone-in votes skyrocket after Inez’s dazzling performance, and she’s crowned Miss Teenage Hairspray, securing her position as lead dancer on the show and officially integrating it at last.

The tensions come to a head as Velma’s ire boils over, her pent-up frustration with the pageant’s outcome finally given free rein in a candid confession to her daughter - a shocking admission that she orchestrated Amber’s victory from behind the scenes. The fallout is swift and severe, with Mr. Spritzer promptly terminating Velma’s services upon learning of her underhanded tactics.

Meanwhile, as the euphoria of the finale dance reaches its crescendo, Wilbur prompts Edna to seize the spotlight, and she obliges with an infectious enthusiasm that has the audience in raptures. In a separate but equally dramatic turn of events, Penny and Seaweed’s passion boils over as they share a sultry kiss, sending shockwaves through their loved ones watching from home - including Penny’s mother, whose horror is palpable as she struggles to process this sudden development.

As the dust settles on these pivotal moments, Tracy and Link finally give in to their long-simmering feelings, sealing their fate with a tender first kiss that hints at a brighter future stretching out before them.