Hedwig and the Angry Inch

source: Hedwig and the Angry Inch

This film takes a particular type of person to see it all through. Personally, I'm not very into musicals; never watched The Rocky Horror Show, to which this film is compared to. When the music is also not my style, I found this film really rather tedious and a complete headache - just like many of the US diners who unexpectedly stumbled on Hedwig's roadshow and decided to get out quickly. I think the storyline has some strong points, and would be willing to follow it if it cut out the music stage scenes. I was interested in the theme of confused genders against an East German background. I also thought the Jonny Gnosis as a nemesis theme was psychologically strong. But overall, too much annoying music to support the interesting threads. Cannot watch this again.

Thats about as long as I watched this. I'd picked this up based on a recommendation from a good friend who said I'd like it. The songs I felt were just over the top and pretentious. Watching them on stage was just boring...and the animations were painfully dull to watch. This one joins my infamous list of movies that I couldn't even get to the 30 min mark (others were Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman...tripe in my opinion). Even Velvet Goldmine was better than this..and thats saying a lot. Go rent Ziggy Stardust or something...

This is a completely enjoyable movie. Rich characters, great music, great story. It's funny and sad and will hold you spellbound. It's doubtful a film such as this will be honored with a major award, but Crowe definitely deserves one for his masterful portrayal of Hedwig. This may be one for the permanent collection.

I was first exposed to this movie when I was 18 or 19 and a friend happened to pop it in while we were hanging out. I can safely say that this movie changed my life. If you hate musicals, like myself, then this is the musical for you. So creative and so original. This is one of the movies I watch pretty frequently and will always share with others. The best way I can describe this movie is: The life and love of a trans-gendered, German, punk-rock star that tries to become famous. If you're thinking about watching this movie, just do it. You won't regret it.

This movie is a rollar coaster for me from emotional to a powerful person. Hedwig she is definitely a strong woman idk but i kind of feel her ! The movie is great. No bullshut only cut to cut and straight forward scenes.really love it ! Definitely recommend to watch!! And i am glad I didn't missed this one.

John Cameron Mitchell's tour-de-force as actor/director/author of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH is nothing short of remarkable. As theatre fans have long known, Mitchell is a memorable triple threat talent - actor, singer, drag queen (j/k). Transfer of HEDWIG from stage to screen is brilliantly visual and engaging. Hedwig's lifestory unfolds in just the right measure, stringing the captive audience along till he bares all in the film's fadeout. If there's an inch of regret about HEDWIG it is that the storyline is somewhat thin and the characters never really emotionally engage us to the point of joy or tears - it all adds up to a triumph of style over substance. Good news is that Mitchell's/HEDWIG's style is completely unique and therein lies the substance substitute.

"Hedwig and the Angry Inch" was wild! It had dazzling visuals, loud and catchy music, and funky animated sequences. And at the heart is the story of Hedwig, who spends his/her life looking for the "other half." I've never seen the Off-Broadway play on which this movie is based, but seeing it makes me want to seek it out. This just might be the best gender-confused rock musical since "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"!

Amidst pictures of sinking ships in fishfood restaurants (How's that for symbolism?), Hedwig tells his/her story. Like tearing down the Berlin wall, the wall between male and female is torn down in this gender bender. And we actually are in Kansas now -- at least part of the time. There is some interesting symbolism about finding your other half or true self and reaching the edge of self-awareness. If you deny yourself, you doom yourself. Yet, at the same time, you must be powerless in order to avoid the corruption which power brings. And, all the while, God is a micromanager of knowledge. How's that for a musical? The songs are lively, but I found the surreal quality of stage play turned into film a bit plodding. Still, the movie is an interesting look into the artificiality of sexual divisions and conventions.

What a tough treat this movie is! First, it's just a great music movie; if you like well done screen musical performances, see it. Think of it like Rocky Horror, with music that's actually 10 times better, and a script that doesn't leave a weird aftertaste. An engaging story, and a wild full-frontal assault on the clash between rhetorical and actual freedom. A slight warning: I'm not sure whether the movie "falls" at the end, or if it was just planned that way. Just be aware that the "plot" (such as it is) gets abandoned about 4/5ths way through, and it's up to you to decide whether what remains is a logical or esthetic next step toward some kind of high-level resolution. It worked for me OK, but if it doesn't for you, you'll be forgiven. For me, the movie earned the right to "take off", be daring, and "resolve" the way it did. Give it a shot.