Review of Pecker (1998) by Chucho E. Q — 04 Mar 2008

Take a moment to think about all the things that the name "John Waters" brings to your mind.

Was it disgusting and outrageous?

Well, then you proved my point. I adore Waters' movies and I think he is a genius, but let's face it: the man has some wicked, crazy shit in his mind. That's part of his charm. So when I caught "Pecker" on TV last night, I had no idea what to expect. I didn't know I was face to face with Waters' most mature, focused, yet wicked movie ever. There's nothing gratuitous here, nothing shocking but the story of a young guy (Edward Furlong playing a nice kid, for a change) who lives in Baltimore (you saw that coming) and LOVES to take pictures. The variety of characters surrounding him inspire him every day to keep on taking pictures until one day at an art show in his sandwich store, an art dealer meets him and gets him to New York, where he becomes famous and ruins his entire life as soon as he gets back to Baltimore and the news of him becoming a successful photographer spread like a plague.

The cast is simply fantastic, no freaks here, but normal people from Waters' memories in Baltimore. For the first time in his filmography, it seems to me that he didn't just look at the people around him growing up for inspiration but at himself and the character seems John Waters' inspired, without, of course, making this an autobiography. The cinematography, by the way, it's wonderful and I think Baltimore never looked THIS good. The movie is compelling, cute, endearing and entertaining from start to finish (Am I really using THESE words to describe John Waters?!) and it shouldn't be missed for anything in the world.

Believe or not, John Waters is all about finding beauty and art in everyday life, in common people doing their own business. And Pecker (one of the most beautiful characters I've seen on film) is all about that too. His photographs may look depressing, marginal or shocking but he took them to remember the people around him and how they live every single day being obsessed with what they love and adore: sugar, gay men, fashion or laundry rules. And, once again, that's what John Waters is all about!! For the first time, I think his soul and heart, more than just his wicked mind, is everywhere in the picture.

"Pink Flamingos" may be for every John Waters fan his best movie but, for me, this one is his masterpiece. Focus and maturity, plus his usual wickedness create an splendid example of a great movie from a great filmmaker.