Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

[Heineken Skywalker]

Saw this a couple of nights ago and thought it was worth mentioning.
A boy named Hansel (John Cameron Mitchell) is born in East Berlin, falls in love with a gay American soldier and undergoes a sex-change operation in order to marry him and flee to the West. You know, that same old story.
Unfortunately, the operation is botched and the relationship doesn't quite work out. I hate it when that happens.
Years later, the artist formerly known as Hansel has now changed "her" name to Hedwig and is leading her rock band on a tour of the U.S., telling her life story through a series of concerts at restaurants. (I didn't say it was a successful tour)
Her tour dates happen to coincide with those of a rock star named Tommy Gnosis. Hedwig and Tommy have a history. They had a love affair, wrote a bunch of songs and then Tommy ended up leaving Hedwig and stealing all the songs. Rat bastard.

Mitchell is great as Hedwig, giving a funny, sometimes poignant performance, and he has a really good singing voice too. Sometimes sounding quite a bit like David Bowie. On top of all that, he wrote and directed the movie which is based on his stage play that was a hit off-Broadway! Some people just have way too much talent!
The songs are great. And I sometimes found myself being reminded of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" due to its bizarre and androgynous nature.
One of the weaknesses is that other than Hedwig, we don't ever really get to know the rest of the characters very well, this is almost entirely a one-man show.
How did Mitchell not get an Oscar nomination for his really original creation? That's a real drag. Sorry.
Anyway, I had no idea what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised by this movie. Funny, touching, good songs, great lead performance. Not for everyone, but if you have an open mind, you might enjoy it. 7/10

[Gabriel]

Something that always puzzled me about that movie (never seen it but heard of it) was,

What exactly is the angry inch???

And does she keep it in a jar, yknow for old times sake?

[Heineken Skywalker]

The Angry Inch is Hedwig's nickname for the little bit of "flesh" that remains where his member used to be.
Remember, it was a botched operation. So I guess he doesn't exactly have male or female genitalia any longer.
Thankfully, we never see it in the movie.

[LivingDeadGirl]

It sounds like an episode of Jerry Springer... ;D
But seriously, if it has similarities to RHPS it may be worth a watch.

[Bartwald]

Heineken said:

The Angry Inch is Hedwig's nickname for the little bit of "flesh" that remains where his member used to be.
Remember, it was a botched operation. So I guess he doesn't exactly have male or female genitalia any longer.
Thankfully, we never see it in the movie.

Thankfully indeed! I always wondered if they show it there or not but was too much of a chicken to check it out myself.

[Sybillness]

Finally saw this one too. I agree with everything Heineken said about the movie. I was a little disturbed at times, but damn, if he didn't make a fine woman! I wish I could do my makeup so well!