‎Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) directed by John Cameron Mitchell • Reviews, film + cast • Letterboxd

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

2001 Directed by John Cameron Mitchell

An anatomically incorrect rock odyssey

Hansel Schmidt, is a young East German boy, born and raised during the Cold War in communist East Berlin. In his 20s, he meets Luther Robinson, an older American soldier, who falls in love with Hansel and the two decide to marry, which will allow Hansel to leave communist East Germany for the West. But, in order to marry, Hansel must undergo a sex-change. However, the procedure does not go perfectly and Hansel becomes not a trans woman, but a 'genderqueer', Hedwig. Back in the USA, on their first wedding anniversary, Luther leaves Hedwig for another man. On that same day the news headlines were of the fall of the Berlin Wall and freedom. Hedwig tours the US with her rock band and relates her life story while following her ex-boyfriend/band-mate Tommy Speck (to whom she gives the stage name "Tommy Gnosis"), who stole her songs and rose to fame.

John Cameron Mitchell Alberta Watson Gene Pyrz Ben Mayer-Goodman Maurice Dean Wint Miriam Shor Stephen Trask Theodore Liscinski Rob Campbell Michael Aronov Andrea Martin Michael Pitt Sook-Yin Lee

Alternative Titles

Hedwig - La diva con qualcosa in più, Hedwig - A Origem do Amor, Hedwig - Rock, Amor e Traição

drama music comedy

95 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

Popular reviews

Review by brat pitt ★★★★

wow the owl from harry potter really Did That
Review by Darren Carver-Balsiger 9

As part of the Leeds INDIs Young Programmers Group, I've helped organise a screening of Hedwig and the Angry Inch for Pride Month. What's more, the screening be will introduced by an award-winning local Drag Queen who will do a brief live performance. If you're in the North of England, please come check it out.

Tickets are only £3. The screening is on the 20th June, at the Leeds Carriageworks Theatre. Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7pm start.

Tickets and details here.
Review by Mark M. ★★★★½

I remember seeing this modern glam rock musical when it first came out and being blown away by what a fun, hilarious, touching, and profound film it was. I just watched it again for the first time in over a decade on the Criterion Channel, and was just as impressed. John Cameron Mitchel is outstanding as the lead character, a role he was born to play. He makes Hedwig's emotional journey to feel complete and loved when those she's closest to struggle to accept her very poignant and universal. There is depth to the film, too, as Greek mythology is woven into the story. The direction by Cameron-Mitchell, and music from Stephen Trask are both incredible. The soundtrack to the film is stupendous. I can't recommend this film enough. The extras that Criterion has put out for this film are great, too, especially the commentary for the film and the Hedwig reunion.
Review by Robin Solsjö Höglund ★★★★ 2

The unique and touching and heartbreaking tale of an East Berlin boy who gives up inches to go to America and become Hedwig, transgendered star. This will be like nothing you've ever seen before, a rollercoaster of emotion.
Review by TheCultureShocker ★★★★½

SPRING CRITERION MARATHON #82

I get off on punk rock shit, cult films and queer characters.

4.5 stars outta 5.
Review by Sara ★★★★½

Legendary performance. Legendary lyrics. LEGENDARY! 🤟🏻🎸

Recent reviews

Review by BossBabyFan ★★★★

It’s not about the owl.
Review by abillmeyer ★★★½

Hot take: Hannah Montana ripped off her look from Hedwig
Review by Curtis L ★★★½

The style of Hedwig and the Angry Inch is so captivating and downright infectious. It unravels in a fractured yet carefully calculated way, at least from a tonal/visual standpoint, and there comes a point where the pure style of the film almost becomes its substance. It radiates a palpable energy though a punk exterior, cleverly integrated flashbacks, and a move towards the surreal and dreamlike as the film progresses. There are some truly standout sequences that just get you totally engrossed in this character, even though I find that this film worked more as a visual mood piece as opposed to a truly solid narrative. This seems to be a very on-brand thing for John Cameron Mitchell and his style…
Review by Kyle ★★★★ 2

Good shit imo
Review by Kyle ★★★½

Tommy Gnosis was played by one of the boys in the American version of Funny Games and I kept expecting him to break the fourth wall and call me transphobic or something
Review by simone_rembert

Music bad visuals cool
Review by Andy J ★★★★★

Forever in love with this film.
Review by Kate McCann ★★★

I wanted this to be way better than it is. The summary of the plot unfortunately ended up being far more interesting than the actual execution of the film for me. I felt like it started by sort of plopping us into the middle of the story, which can be fine if there’s a careful plan to navigate its development without starting at the beginning, but this film didn’t really have that. It spread itself too thin and sacrificed depth of emotion by trying to fit in as much of Hedwig’s past and present into too small of a timeframe to be really great. So even though it depicted deep, important subjects, they were handled in a very generic manner that didn’t actually make me feel anything and I’m not in the mood to connect those dots myself. The same thing goes for the music.
Review by deboresste ★★★★

There isn't a single bad song in this fucking movie!!!!!