This weird and wry, sardonic and ironic concoction of transsexual, punk rock melancholy-mirth is such a uniquely entertaining and original work of musical-dramedy that it deserves better than its frequent comparisons to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Yes, it shares the gender confusion, the cult appeal and the off-Broadway origins--but it's far more sagacious and polished. Star John Cameron Mitchell wrote and directed from his own play about a flamboyant and frustrated "internationally ignored songstress" who bitterly takes the stage night after night in a dumpy chain of seafood restaurants while her musical protégé enjoys lavish MTV prosperity. The product of an East Berlin upbringing and a botched sex change (thus the "angry inch"), Hedwig is a bitter, aging, dysfunctional punk prima donna--a Ziggy Stardust-meets-Joan Rivers drag queen in a starched, platinum Farrah wig. Hilariously caustic, oddly warm and very cathartic, the film also boasts a brilliant Ramones- and Bowie-influenced, sing-a-long soundtrack that you'll want to buy the minute after the credits roll. Recommended. [Note: the DVD includes an impressive 85-minute "making of" documentary, The Story of Hedwig: Whether You Like It Or Not, tracing Hedwig's long journey from 1994 night club act to Sundance award winning motion picture; a commentary track with Mitchell and cinematographer Frank De Marco; and a pair of alternate scenes.] (R. Blackwelder) [Blu-ray/DVD Review—July 2, 2019—Criterion, 91 min., R, DVD: 2 discs, $29.99; Blu-ray: $39.99—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 2001’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch features a great transfer with a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack on the Blu-ray release. Extras include audio commentary by director and star John Cameron Mitchell and cinematographer Frank G. DeMarco, the 2003 'making-of' documentary 'Whether You Like It or Not' (86 min.), 'A Hedwig Reunion' (56 min.), 'From the Archives' with Mitchell, costume designer Arianne Phillips, and hairstylist-makeup artist Mike Potter (48 min.), a soundtrack segment with music critic David Fricke and composer-lyricist Stephen Trask (30 min.), an 'Anatomy of a Scene' (20 min.), deleted scenes with optional commentary (12 min.), and a booklet featuring an essay by critic Stephanie Zacharek, portraits by photographer Mick Rock, illustrations by animator Emily Hubley, and excerpts from two texts that inspired the film. Bottom line: this early transsexual cult fave sparkles on Blu-ray.]
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