This past summer thousands flocked to the multiplexes to see an artistic, lavish, over-the-top musical: Moulin Rouge.

Meanwhile others went to their favorite independent theater and saw the other breakthrough musical of the summer. Of course I'm talking about Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Hedwig is a glamorous transgendered rock star drag queen from East Berlin. Oh, and she has an angry inch: a very angry inch.

Yes, we know this from the title of the movie, but to find out what this means, you're just going to have to rent it.

Hedwig tells her story through flashbacks of her life, from her early days as a boy in East Berlin to her present status as a drag queen/ tabloid celebrity forced to tour in near empty restaurants for uninterested diners.

Her story is anything but typical, and the best part is that a lot of it is told through song. John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask wrote the off-Broadway musical on which the film is based, and now Mitchell is the star of the movie.

He undoubtedly earned his Golden Globe nomination for Actor in a Motion Picture- Musical/Comedy. His performance drives the entire film. He's so convincing that I found myself almost thinking that this was a true story and he a real woman.

Best of all, the songs, written by Trask, are just awesome. From the catchy sing along "Wig in a Box" (featuring a wig bouncing along with the words for singing along) to the glam rock "Midnight Radio," the songs are powerful and touching. After seeing this movie, you will buy the soundtrack; it's just irresistible.

Other outstanding components in the film are the costumes and makeup. Hedwig and her band are androgynous, and there are more than a few characters in this film whose sexes are almost impossible to determine thanks to the brilliant makeup artists and casting choices.

Some critics have compared Hedwig and the Angry Inch to the cult phenomenon The Rocky Horror Picture Show simply because it is a rock musical featuring several transvestites. Hedwig and the Angry Inch is actually a much more cohesive story with superior performances from the stars.

Hedwig's story, while very humorous, is also very touching. She came to America in the hopes of finding her "other half" and all she found was heartache and virtually empty venues in which to play.

Deep down Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the tale of a man (or woman) searching for meaning, love, and his (or her) place and purpose in the world.

Do yourself a favor and join those who have seen the movie and fallen in love with it.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch may not have been a huge summer blockbuster, but now that it's out on video, it's sure to become an instant classic.