Written and Directed by:  John Cameron Mitchell
Adapted from the play by:  Stephen Trask, John Cameron Mitchell
Starring:  John Cameron Mitchell, Michael Pitt, Miriam Shor, Stephen Trask, Andrea Martin 
 

February 12, 2002

         I never could get interested in films about drag queens such as The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert or To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything!  Julie Newmar.  John Cameron Mitchell’s rock opera, that began as a play on Broadway, sets itself apart by having a compelling story about an outsider coming to terms with himself.  Hedwig and the Angry Inch is about a drag queen turned star whose lover steals his fame and fortune. 
         Much of Hedwig’s story is told through music, flashbacks and even animation.  The animation reminds me of Pink Floyd The Wall in some aspects, but during the documentary, Mitchell didn’t mention it as one of his influences.  The energy of the film though feels like The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
         I really don’t want to ruin too much of the story, for it’s fun to discover it through watching the film and listening to the music.  All I’ll say is, to get to America from East Berlin, Hedwig got a bit of a sex change operation that left him with an angry inch, 6 inches forward and five inches back.
         The drive of the film comes from the relationship between Hedwig and Tommy Gnosis.  After basically learning everything from Hedwig, musically and otherwise, Tommy leaves and becomes a bigger star.  Hedwig becomes emotionally and financially devastated, tells his life story, and comes to terms with his inner feelings.
         John Mitchell Cameron along with Stephen Trask bring their Broadway/off off Broadway play to the screen and have created a modern rock opera.  From the storytelling lyrics of “Angry Inch” to the sing-a-long “Wig in a Box” to the moving “Wicked Town,” Trask has produced one of the most memorable soundtracks for a film in a long time, ranking up there with Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror.
         First time director Cameron shows his talent in a film that has superb editing and cinematography.  His performance as Hedwig is by far one of the best of year; he acts, sings, and cries to the tune of a different beat.  Moulin Rouge is the musical getting all the praise this year, but Hedwig is a much better film.  The transvestite character of Hedwig may turn off some viewers, but if you can get past your fears, this is quite an enjoyable moving film.

         The Hedwig and the Angry Inch DVD is worth it if for nothing else than the nearly 90 minute documentary "Whether You Like It or Not: The Story of Hedwig."  Almost as long as the film itself, this documentary tells you everything you want to know about how Hedwig went from Mitchell’s original idea, to meeting with Trask and creating the music for the stage play, to the movie studio persuading him to direct the film.  I bet you didn’t know Ally Sheedy played Hedwig on stage once.
         There are some deleted scenes, which a few are just alternative cuts of scenes already in the film.  The select a song feature is fun because you can put on subtitles and sing a long.  Hedwig is of course in Widescreen and comes with the regular cast and crew filmographies.
 

Alternative Recommendations:  The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Velvet Goldmine 

-Reviewed on DVD-