Hedwig: Just Who Is Mystery Woman?

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While 'Moulin Rouge' is debated to be the jumpstart of the neo-pastiche rawk-musical, 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' is set to open in the US on July 20th. I'm not about to go into the plot, but here's the website:

http://www.hedwigmovie.com/

Pop and modern theatre usually are a foul mixture (RENT, ad nauseum), but the off-broadway show that started this worked for a lot of reasons, one primarily in that it mimics being at a rock show. Will this work again on the big screen? Could this wipe the surley smug Luhrman spectacle off the summer's box office?

One other question that's been burning is that there are a ton of parallels between Hedwig and early Punk trannie and Max's fixture Jayne/Wayne County, however any mention of this is conspicuously absent in any press, interviews, etc. Anyone got the real scoop on 'Mystery Woman'?

― Jason, Wednesday, 11 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

The problem with the film is that you have listen to the same dreadful pastiche '70s rock songs again and again and again. Mind you, the cackling queens at the screening who knew the stage show were loving it, loving it...

― Mark Morris, Thursday, 12 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I read Jayne County's terrific autobiography "Man Enough to be a Woman", and while it made no mention of her music being ripped off like in "Hedwig", it did go into detail about how she was signed up by Bowie's Mainman management company, and then wouldn't let her record, presumably so she wouldn't be competing with the Dame.

― Sean, Thursday, 12 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Oh, I hear Jayne's very aware of the parallels between her life and Hedwig's and none too happy about it either. When the movie was being made and having money trouble, she refered to it as "Deadwig and the Angry Investors".

But, anyway, I like those 60s/70s pastiche songs and the movie is very funny. Cackle cackle. There's one scene where Hedwig as a little boy is jumping up and down on his bed dancing maniacally that's pure "Moments in Love".

A bit too much faux-primitive animation, though.

― Arthur, Thursday, 12 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Thanks - was wondering if then they are being quiet in that same way Todd Haynes couldn't pay the Thin White Duke no lip service for 'Velvet Goldmine' (another glam spectacle)...

Sad that public record of giving Jayne props for this has been nil. (Sad that punk history barely gives her a footnote). Almost wanted to chuck my 'American Cleopatra' cd at the cast if they were'nt so bloody good!

And yes, Mark - true - this might fail in it's overreaching pastiche of 70's rock era, falling on it's face as a bloated glam-punk send up of 'the Rose', but on the other hand, it might turn out to be drag version of 'Ladies and Gentlemen the Fabulous Stains' (a very prophetic film for 81'!)

Indulging in Rock Movie Fandom...

― Jason, Thursday, 12 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

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