Cry-Baby Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A teen with immaculate hair can cry on command, so a preppy girl dumps her boring boyfriend for him, causing a lot of 50s-style chaos.

🍿 Cry-Baby: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Setting the Scene: Baltimore, 1954

The film opens in 1954 Baltimore, where social life is sharply divided between ‘Squares’ and ‘Drapes’. Wade ‘Cry-Baby’ Walker, played by Johnny Depp, leads a gang of Drapes, known for their rebellious attitude and rockabilly style. Cry-Baby is famous for his ability to shed a single, captivating tear.

A Forbidden Romance Blossoms

Allison Vernon-Williams, a beautiful and well-mannered Square, becomes intrigued by Cry-Baby and his unconventional lifestyle. She yearns to break free from her restrictive social circle and explore the excitement of the Drape subculture. Their instant connection sparks a forbidden romance that challenges the norms of their segregated society.

Conflict and Confrontation

Allison’s decision to embrace the Drapes draws the ire of her grandmother and her jealous boyfriend, Baldwin. This conflict escalates into a series of confrontations between the Squares and the Drapes, leading to vandalism, brawls, and ultimately, Cry-Baby’s wrongful arrest. The squares vandalize Turkey Point, the local hangout.

Incarceration and a Test of Love

Cry-Baby is sentenced to a juvenile detention center, separating him from Allison and testing the strength of their bond. While incarcerated, he gets a teardrop tattoo as a symbol of his enduring love for Allison. Meanwhile, the Drapes and even Allison’s grandmother, who comes to respect Cry-Baby’s devotion, rally to support him.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Cry-Baby (Johnny Depp): A greaser with the ability to shed a single tear, Cry-Baby is the leader of the Drapes and falls in love with Allison, a Square.
• Allison Vernon-Williams (Amy Locane): A good girl tired of being a Square, Allison seeks adventure and finds herself falling for the rebellious Cry-Baby.
• Baldwin (Stephen Mailer): Allison’s jealous ex-boyfriend and leader of the Squares, Baldwin tries to sabotage Cry-Baby and Allison’s relationship.
• Pepper Walker (Ricki Lake): Cry-Baby’s pregnant sister who supports his relationship with Allison and is a loyal member of the Drapes.
• Mrs. Vernon-Williams (Polly Bergen): Allison’s conservative grandmother who disapproves of Cry-Baby and initially tries to keep Allison away from the Drapes.
• Mona ‘Hatchet-Face’ Malnorowski (Kim McGuire): A tough, facially disfigured member of Cry-Baby’s gang who is fiercely loyal and protective.
• Belvedere Rickettes (Iggy Pop): Cry-Baby’s supportive uncle who helps him and his friends and is a member of the Drapes’ extended family.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cry-Baby: “That’s right, Allison. My father was the “Alphabet Bomber.”” – Cry-Baby explains his family’s infamous history to Allison, revealing his connection to a notorious criminal.
• Cry-Baby: “He may have been crazy, but he was my pop. Only one I ever had.” – Cry-Baby defends his father’s memory, emphasizing their bond despite his father’s actions.
• Cry-Baby: “I used to lay in my crib and hear him scream in his sleep…”A,B,C,D,E,F,G… BOOM! BOOM!”” – Cry-Baby recalls the disturbing memories of his father’s nightmares.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $11,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $8,266,343
• Worldwide Gross: $8,266,655

💥 Cry-Baby Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adore ‘Cry-Baby’! It’s pure, unadulterated John Waters. The over-the-top characters, the ridiculously catchy music, and the sheer absurdity of it all make it a total blast. Johnny Depp is fantastic, and the supporting cast is amazing. The Turkey Point scene is iconic, and I still laugh every time I see Hatchet-Face. It’s a movie that never fails to put a smile on my face.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Johnny Depp”
  • “Lovers of 1950s nostalgia and rockabilly music”
  • “Viewers who appreciate campy and satirical films”
  • “Fans of John Waters’ other works like Hairspray”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence and gang fights”
  • “Suggestive themes and innuendo”
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Brief language”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “John Waters’ satire of 1950s teen movies is undeniably campy and over-the-top. The music is great, and the cast has fun, making it a uniquely weird and enjoyable experience.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “While not as impactful as ‘Hairspray,’ ‘Cry-Baby’ delivers plenty of laughs and catchy tunes, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre and Johnny Depp.

Audience Reactions

The music and dance numbers are a blast from start to finish.: Viewers love the 50s vibe and catchy tunes.

Johnny Depp’s performance is iconic and memorable.: Fans enjoy Depp’s role as the charming rebel.

Overall Consensus: A campy and fun parody of 1950s teen films, with a great soundtrack and memorable performances.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “To find an actor for the role of Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker, director John Waters bought teen magazines, all of which showed Johnny Depp of 21 Jump Street on the cover.”
• “Johnny Depp took the offbeat role to avoid being typecast as a television teen idol.”
• “The USA cable network version has extra scenes and two extra songs, “Chicken” and “The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane.””

🖥️ How to Watch Cry-Baby?

Cry-Baby is available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable or satellite on-demand services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Cry-Baby, you might like these similar films:

• Grease (1978): Shares the theme of 1950s teen romance and musical numbers, but with a more mainstream approach.
• Hairspray (1988): Another John Waters film set in Baltimore, dealing with teen rebellion and social issues through comedy and music.
• Rebel Without a Cause (1955): Explores themes of teenage angst and rebellion in the 1950s, though in a more dramatic fashion.
• Little Shop of Horrors (1986): Features dark humor, musical elements, and an offbeat sensibility.

🛒 Cry-Baby Related Products

• Cry-Baby (Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]: A must-have for die-hard fans. This edition includes extra scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and director’s commentary.
• Cry-Baby: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording): Relive the Broadway adaptation of the movie with this lively cast album.
• Cry-Baby Movie Poster (Vintage Style): This vintage-style poster captures the rebellious spirit of the 1950s and the movie’s iconic imagery.
• Cry-Baby T-Shirt – ‘Drape’ Logo: Show your allegiance to the Drapes with this cool t-shirt featuring their logo.

🎧 Soundtrack

Cry-Baby features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “King Cry Baby” – performed by James Intveld
• “Doin’ Time for Bein’ Young” – performed by James Intveld
• “Please, Mr. Jailer” – performed by Rachel Sweet
• “Teardrops Are Falling” – performed by James Intveld and Rachel Sweet

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The funniest Johnny Depp movie ever😂: #shorts #johnnydepp #crybaby #deppvsheard #amberheard #parody

Ever wondered what Johnny Depp’s funniest movie is? This short clip hilariously argues it’s *Cry-Baby*! I have to admit, they make a pretty convincing case.

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