Review of This Filthy World (2006) by Andrew M — 28 Dec 2007

Much less a documentary and more a stand-up concert show from legenday "shock" director, and sometime gay icon, John Waters.

For over forty years, Water's has been trying to make people sick, argue and despair at the truly strange and disgusting things he could - and would - put into his movies. Divine eating dog shit in Pink Flamingos, Mink Stole calling Kathleen Turner a "cocksucker" and Selma Blair's boob sizes from state-to-state are all fair game for Waters affable onstage patois.

To rate the movie out of five, or even truly critique it, is damn near impossible. I mean, you don't see me reviewing Jimmy Carr's last DVD here, do you?

That said, if you're a fan of Water's work (which I most definitely am, mostly) then you'll know if this is up your street.

If you're finding yourself saying "Who's John Waters, then?" then you're barking up the wrong tree here. But if you give two sloppy shits, you should check him out. Afterall, you've definitely heard of his very famous movie "Hairspray" which made a star out of the very famous "Ricki Lake".

For those of you who are curious, This Filthy World is worthy of a rental. I can't see myself watching this again (my already well-researched knowledge of John Waters precursored a lot of the punchlines here) but if you only possess even a fleeting knowledge of the man, you should find his banter and stories a good laugh. Particularly when you find out what the sexual practise named "Extreme Nudism" actually is.