Hair (1979)

If "Hair" were only a period piece, it would still be wonderful entertainment but it's so much more. Previous reviewers have already spoken for me in praising this film's astonishing energy, its fine acting (not stereotypes, but iconic characters), and its forever-fresh-as-a-summer-flower soundtrack. I can only agree with them completely, and add my positive vote to theirs. This is a highly (no pun intended) recommended film!

But I'd like to emphasize something else now. Those reviewers who complain about the film being dated are missing an important point. Love, friendship, joy, exuberance these things are never out of date. And it raises an interesting question: why are some people so embarrassed and downright afraid of the so-called "hippie-dippy" aspect of this movie, and the years it captures so well? Possibly because it goes against the current wisdom, which claims that the uglier and nastier and more downbeat something is, the truer it is.

Well, no one is claiming that this is a perfect world far from it! but there is still plenty of joy and beauty and magic to be found in it! Yes, in too many ways it's a more cynical world now ... which is all the more reason to celebrate and uphold those naïve, utterly necessary values. Don't be afraid of looking foolish, don't worry about having to be cool and detached all the time, don't be afraid to embrace the Universe and exult in it let the sunshine in!

I saw "Hair" three times in two days when it first came out in the theaters, and I have watched it every chance I've had since then. I was 12 when the Vietnam War ended, but the anti-war passion of this film hits me anyway. Beyond that, there are great performances by Treat Williams, Beverly D'Angelo (who, as one other reviewer pointed out, is one of the great underrated actresses working today) and John Savage. And beyond THAT there is the astonishing music -"Aquarius" (sing along, now), "Hair", "I Got Life" and "Let the Sun Shine", which makes tears run down my face every time I see it, even if I see it for the 100th time. This is a magnificent piece of filmmaking, and I don't care if the Broadway show was better or different or more soulful or whatever -each product stands or falls on its own. "Hair" stands proud 20 years after it was made, and I think it's going to stand proud for a long time to come. To the reader in Israel -I hope you get to go to Woodstock!

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Yes, 5 STARS! That said, I find my rave of this film odd...I can say that "Hair" is the worst film I've ever loved. And I don't mean "worst film" in that "B-Movie, Camp Classic, so bad it's good..." What I mean to say is that there are major weaknesses in this production, but the strengths outweigh the minuses to the point that I still say 5 STARS and MUST SEE! Let me pick on the movie's sorry points first: I was one of those Hair fanatics in my teens (late 70s, there were lots of us "Boy weren't the 60s cool?" types back then), and I loved the storyline of teen hippie Claude Bukowski's fantasies about becoming a Brit instead of a Flushing, NY middle class adolescent, being a blossoming film producer, debating whether to answer Uncle Sam's draft notices... the film transforms Claude into an Oklahoma boy who befriends hippies in NYC, and he breaks out singing "Manchester, England" (in the play, Claude's theme song where he proclaims himself a Brit and film mogul) out of nowhere, with no explanation as to why he's singing these lyrics(other than another character saying "he just got off the boat," when in fact, he arrived to New York by bus). Mix a few other songs that have nothing to do with the story with some embarrassing dialogue, and you will cringe, looking for the exit sign.....BUT WAIT! There's more, and it's damn good! Whether the songs fit the plot or not, whether lame lines lead into the musical numbers, the dance choreography and singers keep this film in the "worth your $$$$$ and time" range. Dance legend Twyla Tharp choreographed this potential mess into a beautiful display of dance. She put such a unique spin into the dance numbers that even a "layman of dance" like myself could appreciate. I am still floored every time I see numbers like "Aquarius," "Ain't Got No," and "Hare Krishna." I have become a fanboy of Ms. Tharp; you see this creativity in her dance numbers just shy of coming off as esoteric to a layman like myself, but instead of talking down to me, it wins me over. It's artsy, yet salacious enough to seduce my senses! Add actors with a sweet presence like Treat Williams, Dorsey Wright, Beverly D'Angelo and John Savage to the mix, and the bad dialogue doesn't hurt as much as it should! Melba's Moore's rendition of "Aquarius" is fantastic; this might sound like sacrilege to "Hair" fanatics, but this version of "Aquarius" matches up with Ronnie Dyson's in the Original Broadway Cast. This DVD is great viewing, even if you've never experienced "Hair" before!

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Hair is a movie near to my heart; I saw it when it was released (I was ten) and loved it, enchanted by the music. As an adult I find it still works.

What's remarkable is that Forman created film that has endured out of a stage play that hasn't. Ever wonder why the show hasn't been revived on Broadway? Well, that would be because it's a horrifically grating, plotless mess...

Which is why it's wonderful to hear the really great music, minus the awful book. The movie imposes a simple plot, nothing terribly interesting but totally serviceable. Performances are mostly dead-on, with a fantastic cameo by a young Nell Carter (another by Betty Buckley). Twyla Tharp's sharply lyrical choreography manages to feel completely impromptu and totally intentional. Impressive cinematography makes it a great film to look at, too, especially the devastating shot of soldiers boarding a transport plane at dawn.

Of course, the messy play much better reflects the 60s than this well-ordered film. But which would you rather watch?

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I grew up with Reagan and recession and Republicans I couldn't get away from. From the time I was about 10, I can remember turning on the TV (before cable was common) and seeing snippets of some weird, hippie musical. I was probably 18 before I actually saw the movie start to finish and it changed my outlook on life. It was okay to be myself, express myself despite everything I had been taught. Are you curious about what happens outside your everyday experience? Watch this movie. You may not be a hippie, but its speaks to the freedom upon which this country is based-be yourself!

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