The dazzling stage makeup of Hedwig and his band "The Angry Inch" seem to radiate their own light without the help of their own stage equipment. Hedwig didn't start out this way, as a matter of fact, he was born in East Berlin before the wall was destroyed. Hansel (as he was called as a boy), and his mother (Hedwig) lived in a tiny shack of a house, so small in fact that he describes and flashes back to a time when his mother used to make him play in the oven! Though humorous, it's also very sad. Hansel grows to be a teen and meets a black American GI and they eventually fall in love. Luther (Maurice Dean Wint) tells Hansel that the only way he can bring him back to America is if they marry in Berlin. In order to do this, a full physical is required. Since it would never be allowed to marry another man, Hansel must go through a painful procedure with an inept doctor. The doctor removes his "manhood" so they can fool the doctors, but leaves one thing behind. This is what "Hedwig" calls his "Angry Inch". Now married, Luther and Hedwig move to a trailer in Kansas. That is until Luther finds a much younger "boy" and runs off with him.

Frustrated and confused, Hedwig spends a lot of time trying to figure out "who" she is. She was trying to find the "other half" of herself, so she could be a whole person. So far, she hadn't been successful. She then met a very young teen boy, Tommy (Michael Pitt) and takes him under her wing. She teaches him to sing, play guitar, write songs, and make an image for himself. She is truly in love with him, and it's very obvious. But, Tommy (also a Jesus freak) is not ready for that just yet. Then, when he finally lets go and gives in to his temptation, he discovers what Hedwig had tried to hide for so long, and runs off in fear.

Once again, Hedwig is alone. Left with powerful feelings of being incomplete, both emotionally and physically. This is so strongly portrayed by Mitchell, that you will at times "feel" the pain Hedwig is going through.

After finding out that Tommy has now made it big, and worse yet, with Hedwig's songs, the group decides to get what's due to them. They follow Tommy's tour to each city, only while Tommy is headlining at arena's, Hedwig and the Angry Inch are performing at a chain of dive restaurants right near the same arena's.

After hearing the voice of Hedwig (John Cameron Mitchell) you can't help but wonder why HEDWIG is not the one on tour! This is one of the most powerful and incredible voices I've ever heard. A strong vocal range, and a powerful punch gives this performer a talent that should be heard by millions, not to a bunch of drunks in a restaurant. The classic Farrah wigs, and the full face glitter stage makeup are perfect as well. The costumes look like they come directly from Cher's closet. Everything about this movie is just wonderful. There is not one moment that it drags, or that you're not glued to the set. The soundtrack is amazing, and you will also find yourself singing and dancing along to it. (well, at least tapping your feet!)

So many emotions go into the story of Hedwig, you will be laughing hysterically one minute, and the next you'll be near tears. You will feel Hedwig's pain and sense of incompleteness just as she does. With such an intense, beautifully written and directed film, it's no wonder Sundance stood up and took notice. I only hope that word gets around and more people take the time to watch this masterpiece and make it as big of a classic as "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" or "Tommy". It certainly deserves every accolade and award it can get. This too will definitely get on my top 10 movies of 2001, and possibly hold that title for years to come. Please don't cheat yourself, and make assumptions based on the cover, or the fact that you know Hedwig is a transsexual. Trust me, within 2 minutes of the film, you'll forget all about that. The Zone gives Hedwig and the Angry Inch a 9.5 for pure brilliance in every aspect. There is not one noticeable flaw. This is pure genius!!!