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Pecker [DVD] [Special Edition]

1 disc
Region 1 USA/CA (info)

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.
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Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): N4731
Credits

Edward Furlong, Christina Ricci, Lili Taylor, Martha Plimpton, Brendan Sexton, Mary Kay Place, Lauren Hulsey, Mink Stole, Patricia Campbell Hearst, Patty Hearst, Mark Joy, Jean Schertler
Critic Reviews

"...The characters are vivid, and you'll be pleased to know that Waters hasn't lost his taste for outrageous sexual humor..."
Movieline's Hollywood Life
"...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..."
Sight and Sound
"...Beguiling fun..."
Rolling Stone
"...A broad yet loving satire....Turns your home into a kitschy wingding..." -- Rating: A-
Entertainment Weekly
"...Ebulliently trashy fun..."
New York Times
"...A wickedly funny sensibility....PECKER is a fun flick..."
Box Office
"...The proceedings are surprisingly sweet and cheerful..."
Los Angeles Times