First
of all I must confess. I've always been a big fan of John Waters. As disgusting
as Pink Flamingos was, it's an infectious film that I've seen quite a few times.
My personal favorite of the Waters catalog has to be the rambunctious and over
the top Desperate Living. The the last decade or so has seen Waters mellow a bit,
and he's even worked within the big studio system turning out films like Hairspray
and Cry Baby.
With
his new film Cecil B. Demented, Waters has created a scathing satire about the
Hollywood system and the Independent film world. CBD is definitely the looniest
film he's made for years.
Stephen
Dorf plays a highly driven independent film maker who plots, with his band of
crazy film makers, to kidnap a true Hollywood star (a terrific Melanie Griffith)
and force her to be in his movie.
There
is actually quite a bit going on in Cecil B. Demented. Much more so than in some
of Waters' past films. It also seems like more of a personal effort, given the
subject matter and the director's battles with the MPAA.
Stephen
Dorf has tremendous energy and adds a lot of spark in the title role. Griffith
has taken a big risk making fun of herself and the business of being an actress.
The rest of the eccentric cast makes the best of this zany and strikingly original
story.
Although
Cecil B. Demented is disjointed at times and some of the jokes don't quite hit
their mark, I really loved this film's sense of humor. Many of the gags are very
inside, but it's a film with a lot to say. As absurd as some of these people and
storylines are, you always get the feeling that Waters loves these characters.
This
is a fun film and a far better effort than Waters' last effort Pecker. And although
this is not a movie for everyone (I'm sure many will complain about it's sexual
subject matter) it worked for me. I like that Waters is not afraid to throw into
this picture, whatever comes into his warped mind. You have to acquire a taste
for Waters, but it's one that I've come to love.
