[Hairspray] is a big mainstream crossover, and that's exactly why it's so subversive. It's not preaching to the converted. Here's a movie that teaches people to be chubby-chasers. It encourages teenage integration in dating. It encourages men to be married and have a functional marriage. [Same-sex marriage] isn't actually a part of the plot. [In the story] it's a marriage between a woman and a man, but everybody knows that [the woman] is a man. All of those things are really exciting if you can make them appeal to a whole family. And no one, as far as I've seen, has ever objected to Hairspray on any grounds, really.
On a semi-related note I'm currently engrossed Waters' latest book Role Models and will write about for the Flyer's summer reading issue. If you've ever wondered what Leslie Van Houten is really like, this is the book for you.
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