Cry-Baby

(I know the film poster is awful)

John Waters’ 1990 teen musical Cry-Baby has been one of my favourite films since I was sixteen and my friend Vikki used it as ammunition in a dispute over whether Johnny Depp was worthy of heart-throb status (needless to say she won the argument after showing me this).  

Wikipedia informs me that: “The film did not achieve high audience numbers in its initial release but has subsequently become a cult classic” a-hem Wikipedia, I am an eighteen year old girl, my peers and I decide what is and isn’t a cult classic. No one has heard of this film! I’m forever explaining about it to others. And I’m not one of those people who stops liking things when they become popular- I like talking about the things I like to other people that like them.

So I’m going to be generous and I’ve decided to pick out ten reasons why it should be a film that everyone has seen.

1. Hatchet-Face

Kim McGuire’s grotesque portrayal of the loyal gang member who fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down transcends the cardboard cut-out characters with strong visual impact and few lines usually are. She teaches us that looks don’t matter without making us feel patronised . 

how could anyone resist this beauty?

2. Johnny Depp in 1990

Hot

3. The Frenching Scene

It’s somewhat stomach-churning in its graphicness but then poignant when I think that my first French totally looked like that. It reminds me of being innocent and six years old but also with the music and it being a bit like an orgy-  it’s kind of sexy.

4. The Music

I love all the songs but especially this one, its like a call and response and so beautifully bluesy plus Allison is a total diva in it.

N.B. I’ve always wanted someone to kiss me like how they do at the end.

5. Style

Everyone is so beautifully dressed in this film, square or drape. Both the clean-cut pastelness of the Whiffles and the leather and wiggle skirts of the kids at Turkey Point are right up my street. Traci Lords is a personal favourite of mine, teenage porn star or not; she knows how to look good.

6. Campy Comedy

‘nuff said

7. Storyline

It’s a classic story of star-crossed lovers and teenage rebellion- Waters knew it’s a tried and tested formula, which left him enough room to add in all the little extras that make it the multi-faceted masterpiece we’re left with today.

8. The Kids

Usually I hate kids but these seem to be pretty cool, they look sharp, don’t talk too much and they help save the day.

Hmm, well, I reckon I can only give you eight without totally ruining the magic when you watch it..

 Sayonara!