Alan Rapp

You’ll have to wait one more day for my review of RENT.  I thought I’d take the opportunity to review a similar type of musical, Hair.  We’ve got Bohemians, counter culture, drugs, and the issues of the day.  The spirit of the 60’s lives strong in Milos Foreman’s film adapted from the Broadway sensation.

Hair
4 & 1/2 Stars

Hey you know that dad from Everwood, did you know that once he was a really cool hippie?!  Hair is an emotional and relevant look at the Sixties, Vietnam, and the effects of both on our culture through some of the best music ever performed on stage or screen.  With a wink and a slight glint of evil Hair pulls no punches dealing with war, drugs, racism, hippies, death, loss, and love.

Let the Sunshine In

Claude Bukowksi (John Savage) travels from Oklahoma to New York City for his date with the Army Induction Board and a ticket to Vietnam.  He goes a little off course when he runs into a pack of Bohemian hippies in Central Park and has a chance meeting with the beautiful rich girl Sheila (Beverly D’Angelo) who is riding through the park on horseback at the same time. 

With nothing better to do Claude crashes with the group led by Berger (Treat Williams) and includes Jennie (Annie Golden), Hud (Dorsey Wright) and Woof (Don Dacus).  Through much singing and dancing, and some entertainment Nancy Reagan would not deem appropriate Claude and his friends spend their time.  Under Berger’s guidance Claude begins to break out of his shell and makes an attempt to win the girl of his dreams before going off to war.

The movie is told through a barrage of music and imagery.  From the opening Age of Aquarius (filmed in Central Park along with other numbers) to the humorous Sodomy the catchy Good Morning Starshine, Let the Sunshine In, and Manchester England, the the contemplative Where Do I Go? and Ain’t Got No and the big title number Hair.

Hair is something you experience and enjoy rather than just watch.  The music rolls over you making you laugh or cry and can even stun as it leads to a darker place.  As a period piece it’s a remarkable work and as a movie musical it’s equally as good.  Any movie that with equal time can sing about Shakespeare and masturbation deserves some notice don’t you think?

Though racy at the time of it’s original release it is rather tame by today’s standards.  What still works are the songs and the emotional involvement in the choices that Claude and the group make.

I’m not always a fan of twist endings, and this one is a doozy, but here the ending is used to convey the harsh reality of the situation that gets overshadowed in some of the lighter numbers in the film.  Many twist endings are designed to shake or surprise the audience not recognizing inconsistancies made to the story.  This one gives a deeper layer of meaning to the movie and actually helps validate it as a great film.

The DVD contains a a short booklet explaining the steps from Broadway to film.  Also included on the is the theatrical trailer and a rather extensive Hair poster gallery.  The best news is the musical has been remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1 letting the music ring out as loud as you like.

Hair is sometimes brash, rough, and coarse.  Often funny, humorous, and delightful.  Sometimes sad and maudlin.  Occasionally it’s bizarre and odd.  Through it all though the film remains as entertaining and poignant today as when it was first performed on Broadway.