Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Composite Score: 83.7
Starring: John Cameron Mitchell, Miriam Shor, Stephen Trask, Theodore Liscinski, Rob Campbell, Michael Aronov, Andrea Martin, Ben Mayer-Goodman, Maurice Dean Wint, and Michael Pitt
Director: John Cameron Mitchell
Writers: John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask
Genres: Music, Drama, Comedy, Musical, LGBT
MPAA Rating: R for sexual content and language
Box Office: $3.66 million worldwide
Why should you Watch This Film?
Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the 2001 film adaptation of the Off-Broadway (and eventual Broadway) production of the same name by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask about a genderqueer East German rock singer and the story of her life and her band. The film stars John Cameron Mitchell as the titular Hedwig and features supporting performances from Miriam Shor (reprising her role from the original cast as Yitzhak), Stephen Trask, and Michael Pitt. The film’s exploration of love, gender, and rock and roll through its series of “live” performances at various branches of the fictional Bilgewater’s restaurants in the same cities as Hedwig’s ex’s rock tour have turned the film into a cult classic with rave reviews.
Why shouldn’t you Watch This Film?
If you are looking for coherency in message and/or story, Hedwig is certainly not the place to look. Its jumps in time and location can easily leave the audience scrambling for an assurance of reality and truth that never fully shows up. How much of what unfolds on screen is real and how much is a concoction of Hedwig’s imagination never truly becomes apparent, creating an equal sense of fantasy and insecurity in the audience, which only really works if you’re okay with it. Similarly, the film’s message feels a bit too ahead of its time for a film from the early 2000s, engaging not so much with the obvious issues of discrimination or civil rights, and focusing on the more personal aspects of gender and sexuality on an individual level. The individuality of the film is part of its charm, but audiences expecting one type of LGBT film might find themselves in an entirely different boat with this particular rock musical.
So wait, why should you Watch This Film?
John Cameron Mitchell took his musical and brought it to the screen in brilliant fashion. As adaptations go, Hedwig outshines most of its contemporaries (even the musical it references at multiple points, Rent). The film retains the musical numbers and story of the original show while bringing them to the screen in a way that feels as if it were made for film not simply adapted to it. It utilizes the full scale of its medium, incorporating unique lighting and cinematography into its storytelling and even showcasing some animated interpretations of a few of its musical numbers. Mitchell showcases his abilities as a director and creator by bringing the musical to the screen in such an effective way.
Additionally, Mitchell also shows off his acting capabilities in the role of Hedwig, performing the music and telling her story in heartwarming and gut-wrenching fashion. Stephen Trask’s music allows Mitchell to communicate deeply with the audience all the thoughts and feelings going on inside of his character over the course of the film. It’s rock-y enough that the songs feel like just any other performance but wordy enough that they convey the message of the story as well. Mitchell’s performance as Hedwig brings the lyrics to light as she comes to terms with her past and seeks a way forward in the present. It’s a performance that has to be over-the-top to really work and Mitchell brings a near perfect performance as the leading lady.
John Cameron Mitchell’s many roles as director, actor, and writer coalesce into a singular piece of excellent film in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, bolstered also by his co-writer Stephen Trask’s musical pieces, making the film one of the greatest ever made. Its refusal to adhere to certain cinematic norms might make it tougher for some audiences to digest than others but no less rewarding. It is currently available to rent on most streaming platforms if you’d like to watch it.
