Hair (1979)

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Directed by Milos Forman.

Starring Beverly D'Angelo, Annie Golden, John Savage, Treat Williams, Nicholas Ray.

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Milos Forman's adaptation of the tribal rock musical Hair stars John Savage as Claude, a quiet young man from the Midwest who becomes friendly with a group of New York hippies on his way to begin basic training in the military. The repressed Claude is quite taken with Berger (Treat Williams) and the group of freedom seekers who reside in Central Park. The group encourages Claude to go after a debutante named Sheila (Beverly D'Angelo). Legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp masterminded the dances, which attempt to flow from the natural settings of the film. The film includes most of the more famous songs from the original play, including "Donna," "Aquarius," "Easy to Be Hard," "Let the Sunshine In," "Good Morning Starshine," "Frank Mills," and the title number. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

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Reviews and discussions

Re: Top 5 films from your child ...
by lbenschwartz in Top 5

hasn't rated it.

"1. Star Wars - I was on a family vacation when my father took my sister and I to see it. Myself, and every other five year old on the planet Earth, had their lives changed forever. 2. Tie: Grease/Saturday Night Fever - I have a sister whose about five years older who dragged me to see these two seminal Travolta flicks again and again and again. To this day, Saturday Night Fever is one of my favorite movies. 3. Porkys - First R rated movie I ever saw, or at least the first one with nudity4. Hair - For some reason, I would make my parents take me to this movie again and again. The first half, at least, still holds up thanks to the great Milos Forman.5. The Muppet Movie - Can't wait til my daughter is old enough to watch it. " [More]

Review by All Movie Guide

All Movie Guide

liked it.

While a disappointment at the box office, Hair is noteworthy for several reasons, chief among them the fact that it is a surprisingly good adaptation of a play that should have defied translation to the screen. Working with screenwriter Michael Weller, director Milos Forman has taken what on-stage was an atmospheric period piece with no discernible plot and created a coherent story with considerable emotional impact. The talented ensemble cast is of enormous help, especially Treat Williams, John Savage, and Beverly D'Angelo, but what makes the movie is Galt MacDermot's dazzling score -- and choreographer Twyla Tharp's and Forman's interpretation of it. From the camera's dizzying sweep around Ren Woods as she sings "Aquarius" to Savage's drug-induced wedding ballet to the crowded masses surrounding Savage in "Where Do I Go," the songs are staged with that rare combination of confidence and vitality that always mark the best moments in musical films. The sketchiness with which the characters are drawn, a problem arising from the large number of characters and compounded by lyrics that are more pop- than character-driven, damages the film, and many do not respond to its "take" on the 1960s, but overall Hair is a worthwhile and enjoyable film. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide

Tags: aquarious , Hello-carbon-dioxide , hippies , irreverence , flowerchildren
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