Rental of the Week: Black History Month



In honor of Black History Month, each weekend we'll present a special "Rental of the Week" that honors African American triumphs! This week we're recommending the 2007 musical re-make of "Hairspray"! The movie stars a number of well known actors and actresses including John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walker, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Brittany Snow, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley, Allison Janney, and the newcomer of the bunch - Nikki Blonsky! Nikki plays Tracy Turnblad, an overweight teenager living in Baltimore during the
1960s, who inspires to be a dancer on the local Corny Collins Show. She's got all the right moves, but she's not quite the right size according to the show's manager, Velma Von Tussle, played by Michelle Pfeiffer. Corny Collins, played by James Marsden, however, sees past Tracy's size and puts her on the show after an open audition. Her charisma not only impresses Corny, but also the show's heart throb, Link Larkin, played by Zac Efron. Not impressed is Link's girlfriend Amber, played by Brittany Snow, who happens to be Velma's daughter. Tracy loves being on the show, but she wishes that her black friends such as Seaweed, played by Elijah Kelley, could dance with her instead of just during the monthly "Negro Day" hosted by Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah). However, Tracy seems to be alone in her efforts to integrate the show. Before long though, Tracy has the
support of her parents - Edna (John Travolta) and Wilbur (Christopher Walken) - along with the support of her best friend Penny (Amanda Bynes)! Even Link comes around eventually! In the end, against Velma's wishes, Corny Collins declares the show officially and forever integrated! It's a really fun movie filled with tons of great music and lot's off great dancing! The movie became the highest grossing musical film when it was released back in 2007, but was over run by "Mama Mia" and "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" a year later!


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