Cry-Baby (1990)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

John Waters

Writer (WGA):

John Waters (written by)

Release Date:

6 April 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

Too young to be square... Too tough to be shocked... Too late to be saved

Plot:

"Drape" (or Greaser) Wade Walker, also known as Cry-Baby for his ability to shed a single tear, falls...

Plot Keywords:

Juvenile | Reference To Elvis Presley | Thunderstorm | Courtroom | Judge

Cast

Johnny Depp	...	Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker
Amy Locane	...	Allison Vernon-Williams
Susan Tyrrell	...	Ramona Rickettes
Polly Bergen	...	Mrs. Vernon-Williams
Iggy Pop	...	Uncle Belvedere Rickettes
Ricki Lake	...	Pepper Walker
Traci Lords	...	Wanda Woodward
Kim McGuire	...	Hatchet-Face
Darren E. Burrows	...	Milton Hackett
Stephen Mailer	...	Baldwin - Allison's Boyfriend
Kim Webb	...	Lenora Frigid
Alan J. Wendl	...	Toe-Joe Jackson
Troy Donahue	...	Hatchet's Father
Mink Stole	...	Hatchet's Mother
Joe Dallesandro	...	Milton's Father

Runtime:

85 min | USA:91 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:L | Spain:13 | Peru:14 | Chile:14 | Sweden:15 | Puerto Rico:PG-13 | Venezuela:PG-13 | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | Finland:S | Netherlands:AL | USA:PG-13 | UK:12 (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating) (1990) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (2005) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

To find a young actor for the role of Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker, director John Waters bought $30 worth of teen magazines, all of which showed Johnny Depp of "21 Jump Street" (1987) on the cover. Depp thought the script was funny and strange, and took the offbeat role to avoid being typecast as a TV teen idol.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The prisoners are wearing 3D glasses while watching "Creature From the Black Lagoon", but the print they're viewing is normal black-and-white.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Wanda's mother: Hi Kids. Remember, always look both ways before crossing.
Wanda: [embarassed] Mother!

Movie Connections:

References Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Soundtrack:

DOIN' TIME FOR BEIN' YOUNG

"Grease" goes kinky!

John Waters' movies are perhaps acquired taste (read: first class TRASH!), but "Cry-Baby" is a fairly accessible and comical romp, complete with great music, very likable performances and a moody 50's atmosphere. Obviously mocking "Grease", the story is set in a Baltimore high school where teen idol Johnny Depp leads the "Drapes" thug gang versus the chic and fancy "Squares". The hormones work at maximum power and Depp's character inevitably falls for the most popular square-girl in school. Arguments like these can only be settled with rough fights and…dance contests! Johnny Depp and Amy Locane are both great in their lead roles, but it's the supportive cast that impresses the most. More particularly ex-porn star Traci Lords, Kim McGuire as Hatchet-Face (you can't but stare at her grimaces), Iggy Pop and Ricky Lake (as Depp's wild sister in a constant state of pregnancy). The gags are more tasteful than usual but all John Waters' trademarks are still present. "Cry-Baby" is a strangely sexy film that'll definitely bring a smile on your face. Recommended!