The winning 10th feature from John Waters straddles a fine line between the eager vulgarity of his earlier works and the sloppy sweetness of HAIRSPRAY and CRY-BABY. Set, as usual, in Baltimore, the film stars Edward Furlong as Pecker, a sweet-natured young fellow who happily passes the days photographing his surroundings with a cheap secondhand camera. Egging him on are his Virgin Mary-obsessed grandmother (Jean Schertler), his sugar-addicted younger sister (Lauren Hulsey), his kleptomaniac best friend (Brendan Sexton III), and his girlfriend (Christina Ricci), who runs a Laundromat with an iron fist. When Pecker's works are "discovered" by a slumming NYC art dealer (Lili Taylor), his simple life is turned upside down, and he quickly realizes that he was happier as an unknown.
A valentine to--and satire of--the art world, PECKER makes strangely poignant statements about the nature of art and the value of fame. As someone with a foot in both the New York art scene and the earthiness of Baltimore, the title character obviously has more than a touch of the director in him. As with all other Waters films, those who are familiar with Baltimore culture will be even more richly rewarded.
Excerpt: "Teabagging is forbidden here at the Fudge Palace!"--Tina (Martha Plimpton) to an unruly customer
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Letterboxed - 1.85
Single Side - Single Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Surround - English
Additional Release Material:
Audio commentary - 1. John Waters - Director
Production Interview - 1. Chuck Shacochis - Photographer
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Text/Photo Galleries:
Stills/Photos - 1. Snapshot Gallery
Cameo
Cindy Sherman:
Costume Designer
Van Smith: COSTUMES
Director of Photography
Robert M. Stevens:
Production Designer
Vincent Peranio: ART DIRECTOR
Art Department Coordinator
Randall Bobbitt: Art Department Coordinator/Michael Tully's Friend
Review 1:
"...The characters are vivid, and you'll be pleased to know that Waters hasn't lost his taste for outrageous sexual humor..."
Source: Movieline's Hollywood Life
p.48 09/1998
Review 2:
"...PECKER remains a refreshing reminder of Waters' spunky talents, and offers continued proof that there really is a very thin line between treasure and trash..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.50-1 02/1999
Review 3:
"...Beguiling fun..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.134 10/15/1998
Review 4:
"...A broad yet loving satire....Turns your home into a kitschy wingding..." -- Rating: A-
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.70 03/05/1999
Review 5:
"...Ebulliently trashy fun..."
Source: New York Times
p.E15 09/25/1998
Review 6:
"...A wickedly funny sensibility....PECKER is a fun flick..."
Source: Box Office
p.61 09/01/1998
Review 7:
"...The proceedings are surprisingly sweet and cheerful..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.C2 09/25/1998
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