Hedwig and the Angry Inch poster & wallpaper
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John Cameron Mitchell, Miriam Shor, Stephen Trask, Theodore Liscinski, Andrea Martin ... see more see more... , Michael Pitt , Rob Campbell , Michael Aronov , Alberta Watson , Maurice Dean Wint , Michael Stevens

Adapted from the hit off-Broadway musical of the same name, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the tale of an "internationally ignored" rock & roll singer who hails from Communist Berlin and who dreams of b... read more read more...ecoming an American sensation. Hedwig (John Cameron Mitchell), born a boy named Hansel, is raised by a single mother (Alberta Watson) who wishes to see her son do better than his poverty-stricken family. Some years later, Hansel is attracted to a good-looking American G.I., who promises a better life overseas for young Hansel, under one condition: that he undergo a sex-change operation to become a fully functional female whom he can then marry. The operation is seriously botched, leaving the now-renamed Hedwig with an "angry inch" only to be stranded in a dingy Kansas trailer park on the day the Berlin Wall comes tumbling down. Hedwig then supports herself through a series of ill-fated lounge gigs and side jobs, meeting up with 16-year-old Tommy Gnosis (Michael Pitt), a religious type who befriends her and later steals her songs and becomes the rock star Hedwig always dreamed of being. Undeterred, Hedwig continues to perform in the shadow of Tommy's sold-out stadium tour, attempting to make herself whole in spirit, if not physically. The film features several songs by composer Stephen Trask, who also appears as a member of Hedwig's disinterested rock band; Miriam Shor portrays Hedwig's newfound love and backup singer. ~ Jason Clark, Rovi

Flixster Users

91% liked it

47,998 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

104 critics

R, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: John Cameron Mitchell

Release Date: January 19, 2001

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DVD Release Date: December 11, 2001

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Stats: 3,637 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,637)

  • 366weirdmovies
    March 16, 2012
    366weirdmovies
    After a botched sex change operation, glam/punk singer Hedwig tours seafood buffets across the USA on the tail of an ex-lover arena rock megastar who stole her hit songs. Fantastic music, hilarious one-liners and a lovable outsider protagonist make this the best gender bending pu... read morenk musical cult comedy of all time. Homophobes beware, all others rejoice.
  • RCCLBC
    January 10, 2012
    RCCLBC
    I have put off seeing this film for years because on paper...there is NOTHING that is appealing to me (aside from the fact that Andrea Martin has a role in it). Well I am here to tell you that I was more then pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed it.

    Don't let the o... read moreff putting images of John Cameron Mitchell painted up as Hedwig influence your opinion like it did mine. The character is actually quite endearing once you get to know him/her and on ocassion (usually as Hansel) kind of pretty in a non-traditional sort of way.

    While some of the Hansel/Hedwig flash-back stories are clever and creative and there are some real flashes of briliant writing in a few of his/her monologues...the main storyline is sort of vague and poorly thought out. Which is disapointing because with a better narrative storyline this could have been a pretty amazing piece of work.

    I won't lie to you, the real stars of this show are the songs. Music and lyrics are really impressive and the animated "montages" are delightful. And coming from a person who LOVES music but (mostly) dislikes "musicals"...that is high praise.

    It really is worth a watch. From a creative standpoint if nothing else.
  • hunterjt13
    November 30, 2011
    hunterjt13
    A drag queen rock star escapes from East Berlin and pursues his ex-boyfriend who stole his songs.
    I found this film both bizarre and heartfelt. The subject matter lends itself to extremes in both filmmaking and performance, and writer/director/star John Cameron Mitchell commits ... read moreso fully to these extremes that the film is often so hypnotic that one gets lost in the ride. By the same token, he doesn't deviate from a very human story about the search for love in the face of rejection and alienation.
    I did think, however, that some of the songs detracted from, rather than added to, the film's central story, with the main love song being the exception.
    Overall, if you have a choice of transvestite rock and roll films, and you're choosing between Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Breakfast on Pluto, choose Hedwig.
  • Stinger839
    July 20, 2011
    Stinger839
    Most overrated binary-biased queer film since....well it's still at the top. And good thing Mitchell moved on to work like Shortbus. It's a mirror image of how Neil Jordan did the (second) most (to Boys Don't Cry) binary-affirming ignorant view of trans people with Crying Game, ... read moreand then struck brilliance years later with "Breakfast on Pluto". I guess you have to make mistakes in understanding your themes as well as implementing your film techniques (at least cinematography in this can't be slagged). Hedwig gave Mitchell a career, but should it have done? Based on story and acting, absolutely not. Based on his eye - maybe okay for the mainstream festivals, but not a trophy film that is touted to be.
  • LoughnerWasLucid
    May 15, 2011
    LoughnerWasLucid
    what a lovely french-german-british accent you have there. very white, indeed.
  • axadntpron
    January 24, 2011
    axadntpron
    If more musicals were like this, then I could consider myself a fan of musicals. Great acting, great direction, great music. One of the most unique and entertaining movies I have seen in a while.
  • 76Majikat
    August 15, 2010
    76Majikat
    Whilst this film first appears as a quirky musical, there reveals a much deeper side to the story if you look into it, I say that because it's very easy to get wrapped up into the entertainment value this film brings just by the songs alone.

    John Cameron Mitchell gives a stunn... read moreing performance and lives and breathes the character of Hedwig/Hansel.

    Whilst it is a smaller role for Michael Pitt, the film and role also suit his unconventional tastes in film.

    An instant favourite for me and I'm sure the first watch of many to come.
  • ythelastman89
    November 18, 2009
    ythelastman89
    Probably the only musical that I consider a great movie. It succeeds in giving the music a symbolic and expressive role in the storytelling. John Cameron Mitchell gave an amazing performance as well as a masterpiece bit of directing. Michael Pitt also did a great job at playing s... read moreuch a naive yet wise role and the same time. I don't think it's possible to hate this movie.
  • SirPant
    September 18, 2009
    SirPant
    This is a great film! Watch the DVD because the documentary on the history of the theatre production is almost as good as the film itself! Brilliant and very funny!
  • flixsterman
    February 22, 2009
    flixsterman
    I honestly thought I was going to hate this film. A friend of mine convinced me to rent it and frankly, after reading the synopsis, I was prepared to send it back unopened. I am so glad I didn't. This is a wonderful film. It reminds me of All About My Mother but it's a... read more little more edgy and a lot more in-your-face. Yes, I really couldn't identify with the lifestyles, but that's part of the beauty of film. It allows us to get inside the head of diverse characters and in the end we discover that we're not so different after all.

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Critic Reviews

Dennis Harvey
May 20, 2008
Dennis Harvey, Variety

Those expecting a rockin' good time are likely to be left cold by this screen translation, which despite some imaginative packaging too often proves a drag in more than the sartorial sense. Full Review

Jay Boyar
August 31, 2001
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel

It is fairly short and fairly enjoyable.

Susan Stark
August 17, 2001
Susan Stark, Detroit News

Flamboyant, irreverent, naughty and oddly, profoundly moving. Full Review

Terry Lawson
August 17, 2001
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

What in any other hands than Mitchell's might have been a sexual sight gag becomes a symbol of personal freedom and expression. Full Review

Joe Baltake
August 6, 2001
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

As heartfelt as it is bizarre. Full Review

Desson Thomson
August 3, 2001
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

The film's not only funny and weird, it's oddly poignant.

Stephen Hunter
August 3, 2001
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

It's not a lark or a kitschy goof or a parody; it just is what it is and you can't tear your eyes away from it.

Steven Rosen
August 3, 2001
Steven Rosen, Denver Post

Operates successfully on enough levels one needs an elevator to fully appreciate it. Full Review

Jay Carr
August 3, 2001
Jay Carr, Boston Globe

The off-Broadway rock musical that pushes off from a botched sex-change operation is sweet dynamite on film.

Roger Ebert
August 3, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Strange, how the movie seems to be loud, flashy and superficial, and yet gives a deeper dimension to its characters. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • Hansel's Mom: To be free one must give up a little part of oneself.
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Hedwig and the Angry Inch Trivia

  • John Cameron Mitchell starred, wrote, and directed?  Answer »
  • In 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' what were his and his mothers surnames?  Answer »
  • Who came out in both murder by numbers and hedwig and the angry inch?  Answer »
  • Name the cult movie featuring a be-wigged rocker from Berlin.  Answer »
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