I was lucky enough to see this for the first time tonight at my city's independent cinema in Edmonton Alberta Canada called Metro Cinema formerly known as The Garneau Theater. This month and through into October's spotlight director is of course John Waters. We're lucky enough to be getting 7 of his films screened here along with Serial Mom, Female Trouble, Polyester, Cry Baby, Hairspray and Multiple Maniacs. I wouldn't say Waters has ever been one of my top 10 directors after just seeing Serial Mom, Cry Baby and firstly A Dirty Shame in the past even though, I love those, A Dirty Shame the least I would say. That being said, seeing Pink Flamingos tonight has John Waters in at least the top 5 most edgiest directors out there, and I can't believe anyone would disagree after seeing this near masterpiece of filth. This is one that would get you fired at a regular job nowadays for talking about what it contains. It's also hilarious at times and some parts had me disgusted but I couldn't look away. I can't say anything in this movie is likely to turn very much people on but I believe there are some out there. I can say with a thankful heart that nothing turned me on here but I did find it fascinating to watch. There are some trigger warnings that some should be aware of in the case of topics displayed such as cannibalism, murder, rape, incest, and a few others that almost had me walk out but I didn't such as a scene involving one character that commits a sexual crime to 2 seemingly underage school girls (not for real cause that would literally have Waters in jail but no one wanted to see this and it didn't need to be apart of this) , scat of an animal partially eaten (for real) and beastialty (apparently partially real and there is animal abuse here which makes me question how this was ever released in theaters). Other than that, I had a great time with this movie and it was a very entertaining watch with the big crowd there all reacting in different ways of being shocked and repulsed. I am all for shock value as well as a lot of edgy movies but this is one of very few that I don't yet, as of 2 hours ago, have any desire to see again, but I do mostly admire what Waters has created here and I'm looking forward to seeing some of the others coming up even though I will have missed at least 2 of these. This is the kind of film I would only recommend or talk about outside of work with people you know are possibly more messed in the head than you or at least willing to watch something vile for shock value and some great laughs. The theater experience with crowd reactions is a 10/10 if you have a packed house like I did, but the film itself I'd give an 8/10, losing a few stars for the scenes no one wanted to see.
Review of Pink Flamingos
