I am in love with this movie. Yes, you heard me correctly. I do not love this movie, but I am IN love with this movie. If this movie was a heterosexual man...*clears throat*...sorry...I couldn't restrain myself. While it is truly hard for me to name one John Waters movie I like better than all, this is a top contender. In fact, Serial Mom and Polyester seem to have a constant battle for my number one spot. However, I truly believe if Divine was in this movie, it would surely always be the victor.
Serial Mom is basically a parody of the glamorization of serial killers. John Waters himself calls it a sequel to Female Trouble. Kathleen Turner stars as June Cleaver-like Beverly by day and a serial killer by night. However, what is most amusing is the reasons she has for killing people (wearing white after Labor Day is my favorite). Beverly feels she is doing good by ridding the world of people with poor etiquette. Hey, this is a John Waters movie. This ridiculous premise works, and hilariously so.
Kathleen Turner has always been a favorite of mine, and she is really in top form in this movie. Sam Waterson (you read that right. Sam Waterson in a John Waters movie) was great as the father. Not to mention a lot of the old Dreamlanders were back (those that weren't deceased). The cast was incredible, and the chemistry was top notch. Two thumbs way up for good casting.
John Waters once called this the best movie he ever made. That could possibly be due to the fact that it had the largest budget of all his pictures. Trust me, the money shows. This film looks very stylish and "professional", and it really showcases John Waters directing ability. Not to mention that this is one of the more original scripts he's done. From a cinematographer's point of view, this is truly Waters' highest
point. This movie didn't look like he's videotaping a stage play. The camera moves (and often), and he actually uses camera movement to invoke humor. Again, two thumbs up.
This has been called the film for people who love wholesome family films hardboiled. While that's true about any of John Waters' fans, it's especially true here. This film is basically a spoof of "Leave it to Beaver" and it's positively hysterical. Slasher fans will fall in love with this film. Most early-Waters fans seem indifferent to it, but many of them won't be satisfied until he finally breaks down and makes Pink
Flamingos 2: Flamingos Forever. If you're not a early Waters purist, a Bible thumper, or have any particular aversion to John's work, give this one a shot. It just might become one of your favorites.
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