John Waters

I enjoy senseless acts of violence. I enjoy things that are counter-culture. I even think cross dressers are funny. But yet I don't like John Waters. This whole article came about while I was watching the Independent Film Channel not too long ago and came upon a docmentary on John Waters. Not knowing very much about this director or any of his films, I decided to watch.

As I soon learned from the IFC documentary, Waters has directed such cult classics as Pink Flamingos, Hairspray and Pecker. He's worked with great actors and actresses such as Johnny Depp, Kathleen Turner and even porn star Traci Lords. Once again, I should be a fan of Waters and his films. Yet, there was something that I just didn't like about them, and I think I figured it out.

It is the goal by Waters to gross out the audience and alienate himself by society. That's cool. I have seen only three Waters films, Cry Baby, starring Johnny Depp, Traci Lords and Iggy Pop in a campy story about guy who cries alot; Serial Mom, starring Kathleen Turner, who is, of all things a mother/serial killer; and Pink Flamingos, which I'm really not sure what it was about but it starred a 300 pound cross dresser named Divine who tipped over a Christmas tree on "her" parents and ate dog shit.

So where is Waters' place in film society ? He's the Pope of Trash who's directly influenced Tom Green and other performers who are out there. I admire Waters much like I admire Larry Flynt and Moby. I really don't like their work but at least it gives other films and artists someone to look down on.