I consider myself a fan of musicals, so it was a shame not to get acquainted with the adaptation of the famous Broadway production of Hedwig and the unfortunate inch.
It is very difficult to talk about this film, but it is necessary because it raises important questions that were and remain relevant. Accepting your loved ones for who you are, unrealistic expectations, lost love, attempts to find your purpose and betrayal. “Hedwig” is a true flight of fantasy, which catches the fact that it is on the thin line between normality and absurdity. He surprises, amazes and shocks with his candor.
The story tells about Hedwig - shocking rock singer. The main character is a transgender boy who came from Berlin to win hearts with his music, through which he expresses his essence and history, which often seems too delusional and unrealistic. It's never clear whether Hedwig embellishes or not. What led her to go to diners and perform there with bright makeup and revealing clothes? Her story is catchy and disturbing because with each song she gets closer, as does her thoughts, ideology and complex story.
It’s very difficult to get a straight line about this film because it’s not like anything else, nor is it the way we’re told it. Hedwig’s life will be close and understandable to few, but it will definitely hook and will not leave indifferent. It leaves emotions on the heart, no matter whether they are positive or negative.
Of course, the musical component is just incredible, especially if you can find this movie with subtitles. It feels like a good support in the form of a Broadway production, because each song falls into the soul and sounds simply gorgeous. This is the task of musicals, which, unfortunately, not all of them cope with.
I didn’t know the actors in this movie, but it didn’t spoil the effect. They looked fresh enough for me to like and enjoy. Moreover, they all looked organic and did not overplay. They perfectly fit into their images, especially John Cameron Mitchell, who performed Hedwig herself. This image came to his face, surprisingly.
Overall, the film has an unusual and amazing atmosphere. It amazes and surprises, as do the characters and the story. At first, it is perceived rather strange and even unpleasant, but then makes you experience unique emotions of empathy and desire to understand the main character. What's in her head? What drives it? Of course, “Hedwig” will not like everyone. The film is very specific and you should be prepared for it. Anyway, I recommend watching.
I write a review a year later, because after that time I still mumble under my nose "The Origin of Love" and "Midnight Radio". A year has passed, and I am still impressed, and the sound of the film is firmly settled in my playlist.
The amazing acting of the wonderful John Mitchell! For me, this is still one of the brightest films with his participation, and it is not the ton of sequins that surround the hero. The image displayed by him, I am sure, will simply not be forgotten for everyone who meets this tape. After all, sometimes even a woman is not able to play a woman like this: no gems and absolutely female plasticity!
Here everything is harmonious: plot, scenery, characters, even makeup! I think it’s worth noting the work of stylists and makeup artists separately, they deserve it. It is so authentic to turn men into women and women into men is an art.
I will not repeat myself and praise the entire cast or story. Just note, in order to imbue with the history of Hedwig you do not need to read the works of Plato, know mythology, do not even need to study history, just give yourself to the plot and music – they will do everything themselves.
I do not doubt that the film is filled with many metaphors, images, quotes ... just I am sure: the amazing story of the hero will not be less interesting for you.
And of course, like the cherry on the cake, music has a special place here. Through it, the story and feelings of the hero are transmitted, love is born through it.
A wonderful work by composer Stephen Trask, it should be noted that the lyrics were written by him!
And, oh, these texts, they are incredibly good! Simple, clear, and so good! You don't know when you're just singing along to the heroine.
I'm sure this tape won't pass you by. Just because when you put the history of gays and transsexuals on the back burner a little bit, you can easily see more. After all, many of us often live someone else’s life, and, alas, few people eventually find themselves.
Unexpectedly solid work. The whole film seems to be created with an eye on the great rock operas of the past: "Tommy" The Who, "Jesus Christ - Superstar". It immediately becomes clear that the authors themselves love rock 'n' roll in general and therefore so carefully treat quotes.
Perhaps the very idea of the film may be off-putting at first, but again, the performance of all the material is commendable. Starting from song lyrics and music, these are classic rocker standards (the story itself, harmonic sequences, vocals), which are used very talentedly. Continuing the script itself with the standard rock opera development: childhood-fight-liberation. And ending with the subtle use of quotes from real life rock musicians. For example, one of the heroes of the film is the son of an army general, which clearly hints at Jim Morrison himself.
There is even animation in the film. It's also a plus.
Preface: I learned about this musical by accident. Advanced South Koreans have long and successfully put “Hedwig”, taking care of the original. I was fascinated by the sound of "Origin of Love" in Korean. There was a natural desire to get acquainted with the original.
What's the result? I'm delighted. The film liked completely, starting with the first credits, and the songs ironically took their place in the player.
Before us is the drama of a talented blonde beast, looking for her second half, in a matchless performance without tantrums and suicide attempts. Sarcasm and irony from the first seconds (a song about America, a beautiful country, sounds in a different context). Many techniques have been used to visually enrich the picture.
Hedwig and she, creator and victim, love and hatred, yin and yang, good and evil, unity and struggle of opposites. Why does she tell her love story, sitting on a throne, on a mountain of used tires? She's like these tires, waste material, they took everything from her and threw it out as unnecessary. The disgraced Queen? But it is her songs and her performance that cause the desire to wear the fan attribute “a la Hedwig” and go to her concert at any diner.
Songs are just a find in the text, in the sound and, of course, in the free and sincere performance.
Members of the team - bright and colorful characters, soul and body devoted to the frontman.
Everything here deserves attention, but there is only one queen, Hedwig. How will she find the second half? Perhaps it is more important to understand and accept yourself, your talents, mistakes, luck and failure. Maybe she was looking for herself? And maybe Hedwig and do not need the second half, because the angry gods for some reason did not divide her in half and she is originally whole (both man and woman).
The main character / heroine completely captured the attention of the viewer and listener. Where are the Oscars, Grammys and other souvenirs? Why the Berlin bear is so obvious in prizes.
It so happened that the last few days of my life were marked as "the days of cinema." I've watched enough good and good movies, but right now I've got some funky music in my head about wigs, the Berlin wall and makeup, and all I see is Hedwig's white curls. The incredible way this film got into my heart made me write a review.
About the main thing:
Everyone knows the ingredients of a successful film. And these are famous actors, music that has already won hearts, an interesting, but at the same time simple plot (so that people who came out for popcorn did not lose their thread upon coming), a good and understandable finale, as well as morally beautiful shots.
What are the components of a good film? Or the parts of the movie "Hedwig and the ill-fated inch"?
Actors. To be honest, from the entire cast I knew only the dreamer Michael Pitt, who, by the way, in the film was surprisingly few. It was the first time I saw the other actors, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying them. Of course, the performance of John Cameron Mitchell (aka director, writer, songwriter) is the most amazing! Why haven't I heard of him before? An incredible talent, John plays organically and sensually in every sketch. The rest of the actors are also perfectly selected, there is no such feeling as if the director did not finalize any role. Everyone remembers: the cheerful band manager, the sergeant ("sugar daddy), and the strange girl in black in the rain.
Music. Low bow! I never thought that the music written for such a musical film could come to me like this! What would be the composition “Origin Of Love”, for which a lovely animated insert was made in the film.
The plot of the film is unique. Everything is perceived exactly as it should be perceived: the flight of the director’s imagination, which throws us on islands of memories of Hedwig-Hansel, framed by explanations of events to music.
It seems that a story about a transvestite dressed in vulgar clothes, decorated as a "night butterfly" can evoke positive feelings? This phenomenon remains misunderstood by me, but the fact is that the film is imbued with some magic; the intimacy with which Hedwig tells the story of his life attracts, the music remains in my head, and after watching the film inadvertently return to the sad and gaggy story of Hansel with the help of songs.
Like Hedwig himself, this film is a beautiful collage, a collage of life!
And most importantly, I want to review it.