Pecker

Ever since the gross-out of "Pink Flamingos" and the Smell-o-Rama of "Polyester," John Waters has been the hazardous gas truck wreck of cinema; you just can't turn away. Though "Pecker" may be his most honest stab at a film with real characters, it's still vintage Waters, replete with lots of gay strippers, reactionary dorks and the silliest visual jokes this side of "The Electric Company."

Edward Furlong stars as Pecker, a decent young fella who just happens to take brilliant photographs without knowing it. This "Rain Man" with a lens is discovered by New York Art Dork Lili Taylor, given very little to work with as the agent who makes him the most famous photographer since Cindy Sherman (who also appears in the film). Add Christina Ricci in her most annoying role yet, and a grandmother who has a talking Catholic Mary doll, and yep, you've got a recipe for zaniness.

It almost works, too, except that Waters' train of spastic thought derails about halfway through; you start to wonder what his point is. Sure, the best artists are usually the ones untainted by being aware of their own genius, but Waters seems to long for an age without irony, while being one of the reasons we live in one. By the end, you want to have enjoyed yourself, but you're more likely exhausted.

—Ian Williams

Return to Ian's movie reviews.