An anatomically
incorrect rock odyssey!
John Cameron Mitchell's
"Hedwig and the Angry Inch" started off on
Broadway before Mitchell brought the musical to
life on the big screen in this incredibly unique
but captivating story of a transsexual punk rock
girl from East Berlin who is touring the US,
telling her story and attempting to follow an
ex-boyfriend who stole her songs.
Yes, that's right. I said "transsexual punk rock
girl." I'm putting that out there up front,
because we know darn well that description alone
will significantly reduce the film's potential
audience. If you are offended by the idea of
transsexuals, gay lifestyles, cross-dressing,
punk rock or, God forbid, music itself then 'Hedwing
and the Angry Inch" is not for you. If you are
offended by penis talk, references to a penis,
or even just a small penis then, well, this film
is also not for you. All others may continue to
read on.
Hedwig, born Hansel, has her surgery botched and
is left with an "inch." In the meantime, the
American soldier for whom she had the surgery
rejects her anyway. Between all of this and the
stealing of her music, Hedwig becomes, well ummm.
Angry.
Mitchell portrays Hedwig, along with directing
and writing the film. Mitchell's "Hedwig" is at
once sympathetic yet repulsive, angry yet tender
and funny yet tragic. Mitchell's performance is
full of energy and fire and passion, but it is
clear that Mitchell has truly lived inside this
character, first on the written page, then on
the Broadway stage, and, finally, here onscreen.
Likewise, as Tommy Gnosis, the one who has
betrayed Hedwig, Michael Pitt offers yet another
stunning performance. In many ways, Pitt's
choices remind me of Johnny Depp's early work.
In many ways, Pitt is even more of a risk-taker
than Depp in his role selection. In the past
couple years alone, he has completed
Bertolucci's "The Dreamers," Van Sant's "Last
Days" and Shyamalan's "The Village."
Tommy is now playing stadiums, while Hedwig is
stuck play small bars/pubs in settings where you
can literally hear the collective gasp when she
is first seen. Hedwig is a glam-rocker with a
spiritual and intellectual center, and the music
of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is filled with
Aristotelian lyrics and her own spiritual
truths.
Beyond being one of the only recent films to
qualify as a "rock musical," "Hedwig and the
Angry Inch" is one of the best because it treats
its subjects with respect and, therein, avoiding
the pitfalls of turning into a campy, funny good
time. Instead, we are left with a deeply rich,
incredibly authentic musical that will offend
many but mesmerize the the rest. This critic,
for one, was mesmerized.
©
Written by Richard Propes
TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
