Hedwig and The Angry Inch

Directed by: John Cameron Mitchell

Starring: John Cameron Mitchell

Genre: Musical/Comedy/ Independent

Run Time: 95 min.

Release Date: July 2001

On The Web: Official Site

Teaser: Movie Trailer

Reviewed by Byron Merritt

Hedwig Robinson (John Cameron Mitchell) is a rocker. And she’s got The Angry Inch beside her (and in her pants). As a young man, Hansel/Hedwig lived in East Berlin, right before The Wall came tumbling down. His sexual identity was always in question and when a cute, black, American soldier gives him a way out of the Eastern Bloc, Hedwig jumps on him (literally and figuratively). But he can’t get to the other side of The Wall as a man, so an operation takes place to remove his vital functions below the waist ...if you get my meaning. Needless to say (if you pay attention to the title of the film), the surgery gets botched and leaves Hedwig with his “Angry Inch.”

The anger is twofold. First is the failed operation; second is Hedwig’s fury over stolen musical material by someone named Tommy Gnosis (Michael Pitt). Tommy is a rock-n-roll sensation, but it’s all because of what Hedwig taught him in his early days. So Hedwig, in true bitchy fashion, follows Tommy’s rock tour around the world. But instead of playing in theaters and high end places, Hedwig and his Angry Inch band play at lowbrow restaurants, often to the dismay of its patrons who’ve simply come in to eat.

Hedwig’s decline into obscurity is well played by director/actor John Cameron Mitchell. The musical soundtrack is very well done and the catchy tunes will have most movie watchers tapping their toes along to the rockin’ beats. That he also remains angry at some of his band members is quite funny, actually holding them hostage by keeping their passports hidden away.

Revenge is the meal of the day as Hedwig finally meets up with Tommy again, eventually leading to Tommy’s career demise and launching Hedwig into the spotlight. But is this what Hedwig really wanted? Not realizing the sacrifices she’d have to make, Hedwig decides to re-open her/his closet and show the world his/her true identity. He also sets free one of his band members who turns out to be a woman masquerading as a man, too.

Those willing to watch a film without sitting in judgement of the material will most likely eat this story up. It’s quite funny, well acted, and has a rippingly good soundtrack. But if you’re a staunch conservative or — god forbid — homophobic, you might want to pass on this one.

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Image from Hedwig and The Angry Inch

DVD cost: $21.99

Purchase: BestPrices.com

Film Review Stew Favorite? No.

Stew Poo-Poo? No.

Newsworthy: Hedwig's cape in the title sequence mimics the Berlin wall, complete with "Yankees go home" graffiti on Hedwig's right side and "With me" on Hedwig's left side.

Movie Quote: "How did some slip of a girly-boy become the internationally ignored song stylist barely standing before you."

Other Actors/Actresses from Hedwig and The Angry Inch

Images from Hedwig and The Angry Inch