Pecker (1998)

Pecker (so named, at least according to his grandmother, because he always pecks at his food) loves to use the camera to capture his fellow Baltimore residents living their daily lives. Of course, since this is a John Waters movie, those daily lives include visits to strip bars, shoplifting, and various other quirky, and frequently hilarious, human activities. When Pecker's makeshift photo exhibit comes to the attention of a New York art agent (Lili Taylor), Pecker becomes the latest sensation. Unlike the hero in most sudden-fame stories, however, Pecker, as played by Edward Furlong, isn't exactly an innocent; rather, he takes in the world with his eyes, and his mind, wide open. So instead of suffering a precipitous fall, Pecker eventually turns the tables on his more worldly New York peers.

While not as outrageous as early Waters features such as Female Trouble and Pink Flamingos, Pecker still has something to offend just about everyone. But those who take the offenses to heart would be missing out on what amounts to a sweet-natured farce. The movie is not so much a pointed satire as a gentle teasing of the art world and its pretensions. The all-embracing world of John Waters allows for lovable freaks from the big city, too.

The movie sags a bit when it settles into its plot; it can't sustain the comic inspiration reached in the opening scenes of Pecker's encounters with Baltimore's misfits. But running gags about a sugar-addicted child and a ventriloquist-doll Virgin Mary are hilarious. What ultimately makes the movie such a pleasure, though, is Waters's genuine fondness for all of his characters. Aided by a charming cast, including Christina Ricci and Waters regulars Mink Stole and Patty Hearst, Waters has created a surprisingly touching ode to human eccentricity. --Chris Neman Amazon.com

John waters down his earlier work in a futile attempt to make it more palatable

Pecker (Edward Furlong) is a naive artist who likes to take pictures of his family and friends in Baltimore. His name is derived from the fact that as a child he pecked at his food. He works at a sandwich shop, and is excited about having his first exhibition. It is a very amateur affair, but through some fluke he is discovered. Pecker's out-of-focus snapshots are being compared to Diane Arbus, but with empathy, and his work is sought by the New York Art Elite. Gallery owner Rorey Wheeler (Lili Taylor) is especially taken with the new artiste on the block, and attempts to lure him from his girlfriend, Shelley (Christina Ricci), who is too busy enforcing nazi-like rules at her laundrymat to notice at first.

Film maker John Waters (Pink Flamingoes, Hairspray, Polyester, Cry Baby, etc.) takes aim at New York elitists (he is from Baltimore), art snobs, censorship, and the unintended consequences of fame on an artist and their friends and relations (who might serve as raw material or inspiration); but unfortunately, nothing sticks. Best moment was at Pecker's 2nd exhibition when he temporarity turns the tables on the art snobs, who cry out "Here's to the end of Irony!" before realising the show is mocking them. Or did I dream that? I borrowed Pecker from the local library and had to return it before I could watch a second time to verify. Waters' film, Pecker is really just a gallery of grotesques, but without the empathy of a Diane Arbus.

Furlong and Ricci are two prime examples of child actors who met with early success, but while Furlong may have been jinxed, possibly by Pecker, Ricci seems able to bounce freely between family fare (Casper, That Darn Cat, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Speed Racer) and edgier fare (The Opposite of Sex, The Ice Storm, Black Snake Moan, Prozac Nation, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas)--sometimes even within the same film (Little Red Riding Hood, The Addams Family, Addams Family Values).

Films of Edward Furlong

Detroit Rock City (New Line Platinum Series) (1999) .... Hawk is trying to scam his way into a KISS concert. All that street cred down the tubes.
American History X (1998) .... Danny Vinyard is the younger brother of Edward Norton's white supremist--who tries to stop him from following his racist ways.
The Grass Harp (1995) .... Furlong plays Collin Fenwick in this movie based on a novel by Truman Capote.
American Heart (1992) .... Nick Kelson is the son of an alchoholic drug addict who is trying to straighten out. Jeff Bridges plays the father, so Furlong is now officially Dude, Jr.
Terminator 2 - Judgment Day (The Ultimate Edition DVD) (1991) .... John Connor is the whole pivot on which the plot turns. Quite an auspicious debut, and it can't hurt to know the Governator.

Films of Christina Ricci

Black Snake Moan (2006) .... Rae is played by Ricci in the other movie about snakes starring Samuel L. Jackson besides Snakes on a Plane.
The Opposite of Sex (1998) .... Ricci is at it again as Dede Truitt, stirring up more trouble.
The Ice Storm (1997) .... As Wendy Hood Ricci seduces not one but two brothers, but it is the Nixon mask that still gives me nightmares.
The Addams Family / Addams Family Values (1991) .... Wednesday Addams
Mermaids (1990) .... Ricci's Kate Flax is the little sister of Winona Ryder and the daughter of Cher. Quite an auspicious debut. Call Jean Keane to paint her portrait. Ooops, she already did.

Memama: Sometimes there's things more important than pit beef.

July 4, 2008

WITH A NAME LIKE PECKER..........................!

I don't know why I like these types of film so much, maybe because the stories are not stamped out of a production assembly line. 'Pecker' is a smart and funny film with a good cast and lots of quirky characters. I did think it strange that they portrayed Baltimore locals as a bunch of whackos but, the film is very good and carries a good message. I caught this on cable so, if you see it on TV....check it out. I rate it 3 3/4 stars. February 27, 2008

This is a Very Funny DVD

We love it. Great cast, nice story. Wish more movies were as good as this one. September 14, 2007

Interesting profile and perspective on Baltimore and the NYC art scene

John Waters portrays the absurd elements of everyday life in his beloved hometown of Baltimore with such relish that it actually makes me want to visit. The highlight of the film is Pecker's grandmother who has a "speaking" Virgin Mary and his older sister who works in a gay stripclub. The NYC art scene is portrayed as cold, calculating and a bit of a leech to Pecker's fresh-faced and unassuming talent, though Christina Ricci's girlfriend character was a bit annoying in her constant complaints against the latter city while extolling the virtue of Baltimore. This is not one of John Waters' best (those would be primarily in the 1970s) but is recommended for anyone interested in Baltimore and an outsider's view of the art scene. January 18, 2007

Outrageous, but full of good will

This is the movie that redeemed John Waters for me. It's laugh-out-loud funny, totally outrageous, but full of good will and human kindness. It skewers the New York art establishmant most delightfully and casts an affectionate eye on Baltimore and its denizens. An absolute delight! January 9, 2007

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