Rating: 
Summary: Origins of love and art
Review: There are so many things that I can see people getting put off by in this piece. Transgender protagonist, botched sex change, farrah wigs....but evne though I am not sure this ultimately holds up until the very end, this is a very literate, brilliant work that works on so many levels. Concieved and directed by John Cameron Mitchell, this is a combination of Plato, Glam, despair, repression(Hedwig is from East Germany) and comedy. Much is mentioned about the music, the songs are amazing. The other thing I would love to say is that any movie this bold should be applauded. This is, of course, my bias. This is a departure from formula, so I will excuse the dips in the flow of the piece. Mitchell has created a rare blend of heart, experimentation and narrative that is bound to resonate for a long time. And on top of that, the dvd contains a full length documentary on the creation of Hedwig....from club act to off broadway to movie. Truly the origins of art. Truly an amazing documentary for anyone who would like to find out about the way pieces like this are created. OK, THE WARNING IS THAT THIS IS PROBABLY NOT FOR EVERYONE, BUT THIS IS AN AMAZING WORK. GOT TO CHECK IT OUT IF YOU WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
Rating: 
Summary: Great rock movie!
Review: It's not that I disliked "Moulin Rouge", which is nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards....but...."Hedwig" is a far superior movie, and more effective in relaying it's story through the use of music. Do not be turned off by the transsexual/gay storyline, because everyone I know who has seen this has just LOVED it! Hedwig rules!
Rating:
Summary: Need more than 5 stars, ...
Review: Think there's nothing new under the sun? THINK AGAIN. I'm 43, and my 16-year old daughter and I are hardcore Hed-heads. This story and music haunts us (could it be because we haven't taken the soundtrack out of our CD players for 5 months? perhaps--). This is just the greatest movie. Mitchell and Trask have created something you've never ever seen before. OK, so maybe you are not (or don't even know) a transsexual. SO?? Haven't you ever wondered about love? Have you ever wondered about your "other half" and who that might be? Have you EVER experienced learning to accept yourself for who you really are? OK, then you can love this movie.And buy the soundtrack, too. You'll need it.
Rating:
Summary: Modern-day Rocky Horror?
Review: Many people have compared this movie to Rocky Horror Pciture Show, and there is already evidence that it's on its way to achieving similar cult status. (For example, when it was a stage show there was one woman who had gone to see it 400 times.) At any rate, I don't think we have to compare Hedwig to anything to appreciate it. Normally I can't stand musicals, but this one has some awesome tunes by Stephen Trask, one of the most gifted songwriters to come along in ages, It's a shame Hedwig and the Angry Inch aren't a real band because any one tune on the soundtrack is better than any given handful of songs on modern rock radio. Trask takes us back to the good old glam rock of David Bowie; it's amazing how faithfully he recreates that style of music. Aside from the rock you have some good old stand up comic-type humor, not to mention the betrayed love of Hedwig and Tommy....This is one of those movies that will always seem new no matter how many times you watch it. You'll be humming the tunes in no time. This is what ALL musicals should be like...powerful, funny, and rockin'!!!
Rating:
Summary: "The strangest things seem suddenly routine..."
Review: A mutilated cross-dressing East-German gets shafted by his collaborator/lover and embarks on a journey to get his own back. There, now that the plot is out of the way, what about the movie? John Cameron Mitchell wrote, directed and starred in the original role (as well as the movie version), which was little more than a set at a drag club. From there, it became an off-Broadway show, an album, and now, a truly amazing film. While Mitchell's script is ironic and detatched (albeit very clever), his performance brings a very real pain to the role that keeps it from becoming self-indulgent. The songs here are fabulous, one of the highlights being "A Wig in a Box," which ends with a sing-along. The production values are amazing throughout the film; this does not feel like a first film made on a shoestring, though it surely is that. The DVD has an EXTREMELY thourough documentary, links to the songs, and assorted other goodies. A great purchase.
Rating:
Summary: Utterly Equisite
Review: This film is something so new--it basically reinvents the small genre cliche` that is the 'rock musical'. The DVD is spectacular, especially the commentary and the documentary, "Whether you like it or not: the story of Hedwig". The documentary is captivating, a full 85 minutes long, and you learn all the background history of everyone involved with Hedwig from the time it was a small off-broadway play to now. John Cameron Mitchell is an absolute genius. He is such a talented actor and director. What is more is that he is rather convincing as a female--his androgeny is gorgeous and real. And he has such an ability to convey feelings through a simple facial expression. He has an amazing voice, too. Stephen Trask is brilliant. The music is beautiful and fun, so well-written, etc.. These two work well together, obviously. Unlike many other existing and potential 'cult films', this one is amazing in every sense, fan base aside. Please be open-minded and do not write Hedwig off as a camp glam-rock romp--it is so much more than that. It ia very symbolic and anyone can relate to Hedwig or another character. It is hilarious, fun, poignant, and more. There is great evolution of character and story, and it was shot so well. The costumes and makeup were fabulous too, courtesy of Arianne Philips and Mike Potter.
If Hedwig should be awarded with an Academy Award, then Academy Awards will now mean something.
See this film--purchase the DVD, it is a great investment, not to be regretted.
Rating:
Summary: Hedwig is A'hed' of the Compitition
Review: Yes, the movie musical is back in style this week, but what about next week, or next month? Moulin Rouge, I fear, will not stand the test of time, whereas "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" will live forever in the hearts of indie fans. "Hedwig" is a story of a transexual rocker whos botched sex-change operation left her with an "angry inch." Hedwig's (John Cameron-Mitchell) dilemma is that former lover, Tommy Gnosis (Michael Pitt), has taken credit for all her songs. Tommy, in turn becomes a rock superstar. Hedwig and her band, The Angry Inch, shadow Tommy's tour, playing gigs in a scuzzy resturant chain, to try and get noticed and get credit. "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" explores the depths of human love, compassion, and will. Not only that, but it accomplishes all that while still providing some very intelligent humor, and delightful music. (buy the soundtrack, its worth it!) This amazing rock musical is certainly one of my top ten this year, maybe my top ten ever. It is certainly one of the funniest films I've seen. "Hedwig" is a very heartwarming tale, though it deals with off-beat subject matter. I suggest everyone rush out to rent this movie. And if you have the chance, get the DVD. It is chalk full of amazing features. I especially suggest you watch "The Story of Hedwig." It shows you the off-broadway roots that came to be the masterpiece it is today.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Tear This Down!
Review: I'm shocked by all of the bad reviews of one of my FAVORITE films of 2001 (up there with "Mulholland Dr.," "Ghost World," and "Memento)... The story is redicously cheeky (which is always a good thing) and not pompous and superficial , like "RHPS." The music and the music scenes outshine anything "Moulin Rouge" attempted to do ... The acting and phototgraphy are beyond expectations for a LOW-BUDGET stage adaptation. My only problem is the storytelling. It has so many plot holes, is so short, and leaves so much to question, like how did Hedwig meet Yitzag? (which is explained in a deleted scene, that really shouldn't have be left out, on the DVD), What happens to Hedwig after the end of the film? Will (s)he ever regain he(r) career? Where did the Angry Inch (the band) come from? Do any members of the band have a persona? What happens to Tommy? Will he and Hedwig get back together? What happens to Hedwig's mother? What happened to the Korean wives? Does Hedwig win the lawsuit? These may sound off-the point compared to the deep "Origin oflove" themes of the film, but they still linger even after the metaphysical finale. While I still prefer the stage version for the obvious reasons of rapport and better live music and storytelling, the films still surpasses all expectations...
Rating:
Summary: Hedwig is a sensation
Review: With a stunning combination of potent musical performances and a clever script, this witty, tragic, poignant film captivates it's audience and changes the world. Grippingly powerful, blazingly symbolic, and heart-warmingly comical, Hedwig teaches us all something about fame and love and self-discovery. The soundtrack is a phenomenal success, and visually this movie is a treat as well. This movie will make you question your world, it will break your heart, and it will make the gender line just a little bit blurrier. It is a cinematic triumph and an absolute must see!
Rating:
Summary: Easily a 2001 top ten
Review: the navigation on the dvd is terrible, but once you find the special features they are great, Hedwig is too funny and very smart.. and certainly deserving of an award or two.. writing directing and starring--- John Cameron Mitchell IS Hedwig.. the fabulous story of a feminine german boy "hansel" who meets and falls in love with an american soldier (sugar daddy)... in order for the two to be wed hansel must have a sex change operation, the procedure is botched and poor hansel is left with an angry inch, sooo hansel takes his mothers passport, changes his name to Hedwig ,gets married, and makes her way to the united states whereupon she is dropped by her husband.. from there she develops her own act.. and that is all i am saying..a must have for your dvd collection.. John Cameron Mitchell is a fashion terrorist, and you have to love that.. best dressed at the golden globes for sure.. what is it about russel crowe?? he is not attractive at all, he has especially bad hair and his movies are borrrinngg...
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