🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: John Waters
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Satire
- Release year: 1998
- Runtime (length): 1h 27min
- IMDb rating: 6.3/10 (16K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 53%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A charmingly eccentric Baltimore teen snaps photos of his bizarre family and even stranger neighbors, accidentally becoming a New York art darling, much to his hometown’s mortified delight (and discomfort).
🍿 Pecker: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Pecker’s Baltimore Life and Unusual Art
Pecker, a young man working at a sandwich shop in Baltimore, is an aspiring photographer with a unique subject matter: his eccentric family and the quirky residents and scenes of his neighborhood. He captures candid moments, from his sugar-addicted younger sister Chrissy and his religious grandmother Memama (who believes her Virgin Mary statue talks) to the everyday oddities of his community and even intimate moments like rats mating. These raw, unfiltered snapshots are his passion and define his artistic vision.
From Local Exhibit to New York Art Sensation
Pecker’s local art show, held at his workplace, catches the eye of Rorey Wheeler, a prominent New York art dealer. Impressed by the authenticity and ‘bad taste’ she perceives in his work, Rorey buys all of his photographs and invites Pecker, along with his girlfriend Shelley (a laundromat worker) and best friend Matt (a friendly kleptomaniac), to an exhibition in New York City. The show is an overnight sensation, catapulting Pecker into unexpected fame within the pretentious art world.
The Price of Fame and Hometown Backlash
Pecker’s newfound celebrity, however, comes at a cost. His photographs, once innocent observations of his everyday life, are now seen as exploitative by his family and neighbors, who become embarrassed and feel their private lives have been exposed for public consumption. This causes significant tension in his relationships, particularly with Shelley, and disrupts the comfortable, unpretentious life he cherished in Baltimore. His fame also attracts unwelcome attention, further alienating him from his roots.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Pecker (Edward Furlong): A talented young photographer who unexpectedly finds fame by capturing the eccentric lives of his Baltimore neighborhood and dysfunctional family.
- Shelley (Christina Ricci): Pecker’s pragmatic girlfriend and laundromat worker who becomes increasingly frustrated by his newfound fame and the invasion of their private lives.
- Rorey Wheeler (Lili Taylor): A sophisticated New York art dealer who discovers Pecker’s raw photographic talent and introduces his work to the commercial art world.
- Matt (Brendan Sexton III): Pecker’s loyal best friend who is a go-go-dancing kleptomaniac and often appears as a subject in Pecker’s unconventional photographs.
- Memama (Jean Schertler): Pecker’s devout Catholic grandmother who carries around a talking Virgin Mary statue, providing unique and often humorous photographic subjects.
- Little Chrissy (Lauren Hulsey): Pecker’s sugar-addicted younger sister, whose constant craving for sweets makes her a bizarre yet endearing fixture in his family photos.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Pecker: “I love you Shelley! I love you more than Kodak!” – Pecker passionately declares his love for Shelley, equating it with his intense devotion to photography and his art.
- Shelley: “I’m sick of all this art! Art ruined my life!” – Shelley expresses her frustration and exasperation as Pecker’s newfound fame and the art world’s intrusion disrupt their lives and relationship.
- Pecker: “I’m not a pervert. I’m a photographer.” – Pecker defends his artistic integrity and intentions when his intimate and often provocative photographs are misconstrued by others.
- Memama: “Full of grace!” – Memama frequently exclaims this while holding and interacting with her talking Virgin Mary statue, which she believes speaks to her.
- Crowd: “We want bush!” – A memorable chant from the crowd at the gay strip club, highlighting the film’s embrace of outrageous and uninhibited Baltimore culture.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $6,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $2,281,761
- Worldwide Gross: $2,281,761
💥 Pecker Reviews
Personal Review
Stepping into John Waters’ Baltimore is always an experience, and Pecker didn’t disappoint! I loved how he turned everyday weirdness into high art, poking fun at the snobby New York scene. The scene with Pecker’s grandma and her talking Virgin Mary statue had me in stitches every time; it’s just so perfectly absurd and endearing. This movie made me feel like embracing all the quirky, beautiful oddities in my own life. It’s a hilarious, warm-hearted flick about staying true to your roots, even when fame comes knocking.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of John Waters’ unique cinematic style”
- “Viewers who appreciate dark comedies and social satires”
- “Anyone interested in films about the art world and the nature of fame”
- “Those who enjoy eccentric characters and quirky humor”
- “Individuals looking for independent and cult films”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Nudity (including brief frontal nudity)”
- “Sexual references and innuendo”
- “Crude humor and language”
- “LGBTQ+ themes and settings (gay strip club, lesbian strippers)”
- “Depiction of a sugar addiction”
- “Satirical portrayal of social classes and art culture”
Professional Reviews
- FilmCritters Daily: “John Waters delivers an accessible, yet delightfully quirky, film that gently satirizes the art world while celebrating everyday eccentricity. Edward Furlong shines as the naive Pecker, whose lens captures the bizarre charm of his Baltimore home. The humor is lighthearted, proving Waters can entertain without extreme vulgarity, making it one of his more endearing works.
- Cinema Disruption: “While attempting to shock with its ‘bad taste,’ Pecker largely falls flat, feeling more like a meandering student film than a cohesive narrative. The characters, though outlandish, often bore, and the film’s attempts at humor frequently miss the mark. Despite a few quirky moments, it ultimately devolves into a pointless exercise in forced eccentricity.
Audience Reactions
Viewers loved the outlandish characters, especially Pecker’s sugar-addicted sister and the grandmother’s talking Virgin Mary statue.: Many appreciated the film’s unique blend of humor and social commentary, satirizing the art world while championing the charm of the ‘common’ and bizarre.
Overall Consensus: A divisive but ultimately charming John Waters film, praised for its quirky characters and satirical take on the art world, though some found its plot lacking and its humor hit-or-miss.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The number on the bus in the opening scene, 7734, is an old Catholic school joke, as it spells ‘hell’ upside-down, a subtle nod to director John Waters’ signature subversive humor.”
- “During the darkroom scenes, Pecker’s photographic prints are shown being handled improperly (taken out of fixer too quickly, not rinsed), which is a deliberate goof that would horrify real photographers.”
- “Director John Waters specifically cast Patricia Hearst in a small role as an art admirer, continuing his tradition of featuring real-life controversial figures in his films.”
- “The character’s nickname ‘Pecker’ is explained in the film as a childhood habit of ‘pecking’ at his food, not a crude innuendo, though Waters enjoys the double entendre.”
- “The film serves as a satirical commentary on the pretentious New York art world and the exploitation of artists and their subjects once they gain mainstream attention.”
🖥️ How to Watch Pecker?
John Waters’ ‘Pecker’ is available for streaming or digital purchase on various platforms. You can typically find it for rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, and YouTube. Check your preferred digital storefront for the latest availability and pricing options to enjoy this quirky comedy.
🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Pecker, you might like these similar films:
- Hairspray (1988): Both directed by John Waters, sharing his distinctive Baltimore-centric, quirky humor, and focus on societal outsiders finding their place and challenging norms.
- Amelie (2001): Explores finding beauty and art in the mundane and quirky aspects of everyday life, similar to Pecker’s artistic vision, but with a different, more whimsical tone.
- The Opposite of Sex (1998): Also stars Christina Ricci and was released the same year, sharing a similar late-90s indie aesthetic and focus on unconventional, darkly comedic characters.
- Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021): Features a documentary filmmaker discovering and bringing attention to a unique, tiny, hidden community, echoing Pecker’s discovery and the subsequent clash with a larger, more commercial world.
- Pink Flamingos (1972): A quintessential John Waters cult classic that embodies his extreme, transgressive, and celebratory ‘bad taste’ humor, appealing to fans of his unique vision and directorial style.
🛒 Pecker Related Products
- John Waters: Filthy Fables Collection (DVD/Blu-ray): Dive deeper into the world of the Pope of Trash with a collection of John Waters’ most iconic films, including ‘Pink Flamingos,’ ‘Female Trouble,’ and ‘Serial Mom.’ Experience his signature blend of transgressive humor and heartfelt eccentricity.
- Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera: Capture life’s candid, unpretentious moments with this easy-to-use instant camera. Perfect for creating spontaneous, tangible memories just like Pecker’s authentic snapshots.
- Role Models: A Book by John Waters: In this hilarious and insightful memoir, John Waters profiles the unconventional people who have inspired him, offering a glimpse into the mind of the legendary filmmaker and cultural icon.
- Baltimore Hon Character Art Print: A vibrant art print celebrating the iconic ‘Baltimore Hon’ aesthetic, capturing the quirky, flamboyant spirit of the city that serves as the backdrop for ‘Pecker.’
🎧 Soundtrack
Pecker features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Happy-Go-Lucky-Me” – performed by Paul Evans
- “The Wanderer” – performed by Dion
- “The Loco-Motion” – performed by Little Eva
- “Pecker’s Theme” – performed by Stewart Copeland
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Pecker’ is a satirical comedy about a young, unassuming photographer from Baltimore whose candid snapshots of his eccentric family and neighborhood gain unexpected fame in the New York art world, leading to a clash between his humble origins and the pretentious high art scene.
The main character, played by Edward Furlong, is nicknamed ‘Pecker’ because of his childhood habit of pecking at his food. True to John Waters’ style, the title also serves as a double entendre, hinting at the film’s playful and often crude humor.
While ‘Pecker’ is not a true story, it draws heavily on director John Waters’ own experiences as an artist from Baltimore who gained recognition in the art world while maintaining his unique, often controversial, perspective. It can be seen as a semi-autobiographical commentary on fame and artistic integrity.
‘Pecker’ was directed by the acclaimed cult filmmaker John Waters, known for his unique brand of transgressive, campy, and often Baltimore-centric comedies like ‘Pink Flamingos,’ ‘Hairspray,’ and ‘Serial Mom.’
Pecker’s grandmother, Memama, carries a small statue of the Virgin Mary everywhere, believing it can speak to her and offers advice, often with humorous and absurd results. This running gag adds to the film’s quirky charm and satirizes religious kitsch in John Waters’ signature style.
🔥 Bonus Content
John Waters on Pecker, Art, Politics, and Career Retrospectives
Ever wonder what was going through John Waters’ mind when he made ‘Pecker’? This interview with the legendary director himself is a fantastic watch, offering unique insights into the film and his broader career. It really makes you appreciate his distinctive vision even more!
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