By Melissa Antoinette Garza
HAIR (1979) came out the year I was born. It was based on a 1968 Broadway musical by the same name, though the original creators were unhappy with the film adaptation of their work. They noted change of tone and direction and disliked the way in which the hippie culture was presented. Personally, I love it and think the characters are presented very well. That said, it wasn’t my vision or art so it’s bit of a conundrum as whether to see this as a success or not. It obtained critical reviews, but was scorned and disavowed by the same individuals who wrote the music and created the epic play.
All that baggage aside, it’s a fantastic musical which amazing set designs, terrific dance numbers, a killer soundtrack, a spectacular cast and a kick-ass anti-war plot that speaks to the protester in all of us.
The movie opens with sheltered Claude Hooper Bukowski (John Savage) on his way to fight in Vietnam. He has two days to stay in New York City and on the first, he meets a few draft-dodging hippies. George (Treat Williams), Lafayette (Dorsey Wright) Jeannie (Annie Golden) and Woof (Don Dacus) ask him for some money and when he gives them some, they take him under their wing. They share some psychedelics and weed with him, elevating his spirit.
They chase down Sheila (Beverly D’Angelo) a rich pretty lady on a horse that Claude instantly takes a liking to. She gets away, but later they reconnect when they track down her pic in a newspaper. She ends up tagging along and feels an attraction to George, who flirts back. Now, it isn’t weird and there’s no negative spin to it. It’s just the philosophy of ‘you do you.’ These anti-war renegade rebels hiding out from the Army welcome with open arms a vanilla conservative, country boy. Its just about humanity and love.
In one amazing scene where Claude breaks out of his shell, Nell Carter shows up and belts out the amazing son Ain’t Got No. Every song is phenomenal, but I always loved Carter’s voice in this. It’s just epic.
HAIR fought against misconceptions of the drug culture, stereotypes, war propaganda and the divisions that politics tries to create between people. It defied social convention and spat in the face of conformity. This is a movie that needs to be shown today.
The conclusion is a devastating one. I cry every single time I see it. I’m a mark. I fully admit I am easily manipulated by good cinema, especially when done in musical form.
Treat Williams and John Savage are brilliant opposite one another. George’s anti-authority rebellion drowned in love for humanity plays excellently against Claude’s reserved, respectful and conservative nature. The friendship between the two is inspiring and makes me believe in the power of spirit, love and positivity
Dorsey Wright shined in the role of Lafayette. The passion, intensity, flare and brilliant fashion made his character memorable and compelling. When he’s being confronted by the mother of his child (Cheryl Barnes) the intensity between the two is palpable. EASY TO BE HARD is an amazing song. THREE DOG NIGHT performs it marvelously, but Cheryl Barnes nails every note and brings a depth to the tune that it does not have when sung by anyone else.
My personal favorite character has always been Woof. As a very young child, I was in love with Donnie Dacus. I walked around my house singing HAIR, all the time. If not for this movie, I don’t think I would love CHICAGO the way that I do. In 1990, my interests included ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, androgynous boys, oldies,blues, punk, alternative, heavy metal and CHICAGO. Needless to say that I did not connect with a lot of kids. They were talking Donnie Wahlburg, I was on Donnie Dacus.
Woof was the epitome of cool for refusing to get his hair cut. When I watch it now, I still think it’s awesome. I guess my tastes haven’t much changed. He’s a very cute boy doing very cute things. I love him! When the doctor asks him whether he’s gay and he answers, “I wouldn’t kick Mick Jagger out of my bed, but I’m not a homosexual” I melt. I love that so much. I miss that in-your-face hardcore allies that existed in the 70s. They’d cut conservative backwards morons down with quick wit and absolute charm.
HAIR is also one of my favorite songs, period. I adore that it defiantly celebrates a religion that often ostracizes them. It’s as if they’re saying to the zealots, you don’t own what we believe and you don’t own spirituality or faith. I love that. I’m not religious (today – it varies on what state my mind, spirit and body are at in any given moment), but that makes me cheer every time.
American treasure, Beverly D’Angelo is terrific as always. She carries a certain good girl longing to be bad quality that makes Sheila very likable. The evolution of her character as the film progresses and she sees the merit in the hippie culture is done remarkably well. By the end, her full grasp of what’s going on is clear. In the final scene and during the final song, D’Angelo breaks my heart every time, but I thank her for doing it. It’s one of those good types of pain – the type that reminds you that you’re human.
Last but not least is the Goddess of Optimism and Joy, Annie Golden. Her infectious smile, love of life and complete absorption into the hippie culture displays why the lifestyle was so attractive. She’s a fun person who anyone would want to be around. She’s carefree and loves everyone. When I watch this, I want to be her friend. She’s the kind of person I’d want to hang out with.
Overall, HAIR is a classic. It’s disappointing and unfortunate that the brilliant minds behind the play adaptation feel as though their masterpiece wasn’t given justice. Still, as a viewer, I enjoy the hell out of it.
For those who don’t own it, you’ve lucked out. It’s currently on AMAZON PRIME.
Scared Stiff Rating: 8/10
