Worth consuming... John Travolta and Nikki Blonsky in Hairspray.
We go back to the 50s this week, with the new musical of Hairspray and a look at the appeal of Marlon Brando, who may or may not have used lots of hairspray, I just don't know.
What a surprise this new musical version of the John Waters movie is. It's witty, pretty and gay, written by the brilliant Marc Shaiman and his writing (and life) partner Scott Wittman. They created the Broadway version which won Tonys galore in 2002 and now they've preserved the satire and schmalz and songs for the big screen adaptation.
I called Marc in New York as he and Scott had finished breakfast and were about to go off to rehearsals. How fabulously Broadwayish. Marc did the songs for South Park movie too and Team America, so he's a bit of a genius and of course features in the Observer's 50 Funniest Films this weekend.
Hairspray's the best musical since Moulin Rouge on the big screen. Despite my reservations (and Shaiman's it appears) about John Travolta in a fat suit, I laughed, toe-tapped and came out singing, which is a good thing, or used to be. I loved how they combine pastiches of motown and doo-wop with subtle satire on racism and prejudice.
That's something the activist Marlon Brando fought against, as explored in a new documentary about the icon. Called simply Brando, it's on TCM on July 23 and I first saw it in Cannes. It's very handsome and loads of stars contribute, some of them with brilliant lucidity, talking about the actor's craft. Pacino is very engaging, John Turturro is a revelation and Johnny Depp wears a beret. You should see Jane Fonda too - what a loon.
I talk to Mimi Friedman, who wrote and produced the doc, discussing who she met, how she chose the archive material and how you start probing an icon like Brando. Everyone's got an opinion, but the doc excels on drawing attention to what made him such a terrific screen actor, which I think is the right approach.
We've all got our favourite Brando moments and quotes. I love A Streetcar Named Desire (great clips of Tenessee Williams in interview in the doc by the way) and Brando spitting his Ha Ha in Vivienne Leigh's face. I always like the impression of him Diane Keaton does in Sleeper, too. What's your favourite Brando moment?
Finally, I look ahead to the Britdoc festival, starting in Oxford next Wednesday. Jess Search is one of the industry's most inspiring and dynamic figures, founding the shooting people website for indie film makers and now forging ahead with getting documentaries increasing recognition. In our interview, she's full of tips on how to get your projects off the ground, too.
Do nip up to Keble College and see what's going on - you'll meet lots of filmmakers too, which can be very useful. Happy Viewing.
Jason
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