Creative, Original, Well-Acted, Rocking FUN

Rating: 8/10 (27 April 2002)

I don't know much of the back story on this film, except that it was an off-Broadway success before it was made into a movie, and that the star of the film (John Cameron Mitchell) is also the director and writer, and that one of the other actors in the movie (Stephen Trask) also did the music.
Having said all of that, I have to say that I LOVE IT when a low budget movie comes along from (seemingly) nowhere and just kicks a##. "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is not a perfect movie, but its weaknesses are easily overlooked, because this movie rocks.
First, the music . . . this is one of the most satisfying soundtracks I've heard in along time. Almost all of the songs here are well done and catchy. But this isn't just pop fluff, there's some talent at work here. I was amazed at the number of good songs (crafted by Trask) in the film. In addition Mitchell's voice, evidently stage-proven, makes a great transition to that of a punk rocker. I found myself wondering if these guys ought not to really start a rock band, and really make music. I'd buy the albums.
Next, the creativity . . . wow . . . you've never seen a movie like this . .. it is wholly original . . . just take a glimpse at the premise: a partial transexual punk rocker from Berlin tries to make it in the U.S . . . and along the way . . teaches us some things about love and life. Also, the animation was clever, and was integrated nicely with the rest of the film.
And lastly, Hedwig him/herself . . . the movie presents us with the unlikeliest of heroes, and Mitchell gives (truthfully) an Oscar-worthy performance. As far as I am concerned, Hedwig has clearly established himself as a cult figure now, on the fringe perhaps, but this is one of the most memorable characters and performances that I've seen in a while. The wigs were also fabulous.
The script and writing is generally good, with just a few holes and weaknesses. I felt that some of the supporting characters (i.e. the Stephen Trask character) needed a little more light shed on them, and in some ways the "meaning" of the movie was blurred a little by the drama of it all. Just as point of reference . . . I feel that "Pricilla, Queen of the Desert" from Australia is a better drag queen movie. But "Hedwig" and "Pricilla" are very different movies, both equally great in their own genres. And the music for "Hedwig" is far superior to that of almost any movie out there.
But mainly, this movie is great fun. You'll be laughing at Hedwig's camp, singing along with "Wig in a Box" or with "Wicked Little Town", feeling Hedwig's pain as he does, and maybe even learn a couple of things about life along the way. I am left with a few indelible images from the film . . . like Hedwig shimmying his underside over the head of a senior citizen at one of his live performances, shouting, "It's a car wash, ladies and gentlemen". . . or Hedwig as a child dancing on the bed or harmonizing with his head in the oven . . . or Hedwig's mobile home park rock concert where the trailer wall itself acts as his fantasy stage . . . or Hedwig's desperation as he pleads with his lover to "Love the front of me, honey" . . . or Hedwig's description of meeting his first husband and the gummy bears. (I won't elaborate further on this one . . . make of it what you choose.)
So see Hedwig with an open mind--you'll have the best time that you've had in a movie in a while.