Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

by Rizzy

So, I'm one of those people that has a prereq movie list associated with them.  Prereq for what? For understanding me might be pushing it a bit too far... to be able to talk movie talk with me and get me really overly enthusiastic about the subject? That's probably closer to the truth. This is one of those movies that if you come to enough movie nights that I host... sooner or later I'm going to convince you that watching it is a good idea (if for no other reason to get me to shut the hell up about it).

So, what exactly is Hedwig and the Angry Inch about? It's a rock musical about a transsexual punk rock girl who's trying to make claim to the songs that her exboyfriend ran off with and made famous.  The movie details her past and how she came to the spot she is integrating the stories into the songs that sum up the major points of her life.

First of all, I'd like to give props to my boy John Cameron Mitchell here. The man is a genius. The story is well written and he plays the part of Hedwig incredibly well. The story is so involved in the character's life that Hedwig becomes almost a symbol of the events of her life which effect her physically as well as emotionally. Her songs emphasize this even further, almost selling her as a product of her life.  There's not a line in the entire film that I want to pass up as each one produces either laughter or a lot of thought... often times both. In the end, this is really a story about figuring yourself out and letting go of the past. That's my favorite type of story, right there.

Another amazing thing about this movie is that every single character in it is so defined. The acting is incredible with every bit role being completely memorable and uniquely played. Above is Hedwig's mom and and her soon to be husband.  The two of them conspire to get young Hansel (Hedwig's born name, he adopts his mother's name to marry said husband) to have a sex change operation. True story! Even more amazing is the fact that in the few short scenes you've seen of Hedwig's mom that you totally buy this as something she'd do. Every character in this movie feels so real that it's easy to get lost in the film.

There are so few movies in the world that exist where wigs and hair are half so important as in Hedwig. There is a great shot in the beginning of the show (that I just didn't have room to post) that's just a hotel room filled with the many wigs of Hedwig.  The wigs become a form of mask for young Hedwig who change images with stages of her life and mood. Each one plays off of Mitchell's features so differently bringing out various levels of reality or absurdity. It's just another added touch of thought that really makes this movie stand out a cut above the rest.

You can't talk about Hedwig without talking about the music in Hedwig.  Never have a seen a show that integrates music so well into the show.  Each songs further plot and gives you a new look on the character of Hedwig and her life. The songs are fun, upbeat and with lyrics that flip between shockingly fun and heartfelt thoughtfulness. Both of these are done just as well as the last.  I need to take a moment here to talk about just how well put together the story is. You flip between time lines of Hedwig's life constantly, but they never give you more than you need. They'll cut from a conversation about something being discussed to a song about the results of the action to repercussions that are around still and there are these big gaps in time, but visually they capitalize on every aspect of the events so you feel like you're getting the understory of what happened much better than if just told flat and even.

Ok, so I had to find a spot of this shot after all. You know why? Cause it's me, so I have to talk about the sets of the film. This is the most memorable one for me, but really they are all so fantastic.  Each one is uniquely stylized. Mitchell really took the time to create a complete visual feast with this film. Every inch of the screen adds to the story telling experience and gives you further insight into story and the characters with in it. While more than often over the top, there is very little about Hedwig that is subtle so you need to have a setting a cast and a musical score to live up to her. And this movie more than succeeds.

So yeah, this movie may not be part of your usual tastes, but I dare you to watch it (and if you know me, I dare you to watch it with me, cause I love watching people watch this for the firs time) and expand yourself a bit. In all honesty, as a writer, the way this story is told is very much the way I wish to write.  Well written characters, amazing dialogue, and no fluff, but every word really feeling like a contribution. I cry every time I watch this film (or at least tear up a little) just at how much we as people can grow and let go of our past. That's really what this story is about... getting over the stuff that you've gone through and finding yourself without that baggage. Seriously, go rent it! And let me know what you think!