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Filthy: The Weird World of John Waters

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While "Filthy: The Weird World of John Waters" is servicable as a brief overview of John Waters' career, it really doesn't offer anything one couldn't learn by reading Waters' "Shock Value" and "Crackpot: The Obsessions of John Waters", Frances Milstead's "My Son Divine", or even by watching Steve Yeager's great documentary Divine Trash, all of which are vastly superior to this book. In fact, most of the quotes in "Filthy" are taken from those other works, implying that the author hasn't actually come into contact with any of the people involved with John Waters' films (or as fans like to call them, Dreamlanders). The book begins with a concise look at Waters' childhood and travels through the making of his films, all but skipping over his latter period works like Serial Mom and Cecil B. Demented. Unfortunately, the chapters aren't laid out very well and the film anecdotes are interrupted by idiotic stories like an unnecessary and disrespectful segment where the author supposedly channels Divine through a psychic, or mean-spirited descriptions of a few Waters fans told through the eyes of a man who clearly isn't as big of a fan as he makes himself out to be.

Another unpropitious aspect of "Filthy" is that the author makes one too many mistakes throughout the text, either with facts or with plot descriptions. These errors may be considered minor to the casual Waters fan, but will absolutely ruin the reading experience for John Waters fanatics by prompting them to take what the author says with a grain of salt. For example, Pela states that Jean Hill has no lines in Polyester. Anyone who has seen the film, and enjoys it as much as I do, knows that this is not true. Her scene is one of the funniest moments in the film, as she spews out insults a mile a minute to a passing car full of teenagers.

In addition, one can easily tell which films Pela doesn't care much for because he nearly eschews them completely. The passage about Serial Mom is less than a page, which is disappointing because it is the best film from Waters' post-Polyester days. It's also sad when what seems like half of the book is comprised of a filmography with cast and crew lists, plot synopses, dialogue, and other assorted facts that are either repeated from earlier chapters or could (and should) have been placed elsewhere in the book.

What is good about "Filthy"? It is well-written and is pretty comprehensive in outlining how these films were made, in a cramped sort of way. The chapters on Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, and Polyester were thorough and the chapter about the author's visit to Baltimore was mildly amusing. There were a few quotes from Waters, Divine, Mink Stole, and others, that I had never read before and a couple of facts here and there that enlightened me to a point. I suppose "Filthy" would be a good guide for people who know little or nothing about John Waters and his films, but it is obvious that Pela has no first-hand experience speaking with the people behind these films. The chapters about the fans and about Pela contacting Divine beyond the grave--not to mention the bloated filmography at the end of the book--are simply filler. The author has taken all of this information from other works of reference and condensed it into one compact resource, which may be fine for some, but leave others like me begging for more substance.

This book is ultimately just kind of stupid. The author, Robrt Pela writes decently enough, but seems to be extremely judgemental in his descriptions of people he obviously doesn't know (because many are dead)...and furthermore...if some of the Dreamlander's he writes about are his friends, then well, I don't think they will be very happy with his descriptions of them.
I frankly don't think that Mr. Pela actually "gets" John Waters and has written this book simply because he is getting a paycheck. His "Low Points" of the films are just stupid. And he offers no reasons as to why they are low points. I actually love most of the scenes that he refered to as "Low Points"
Mr. Pela refers to several dreamlanders derogatorily, for example he refers to Susan Lowe at one point as, "..a slutty artists model" which is just unneccesary. He's not quoting anyone, he's offering a totally unfounded opinion because he wasn't there and I doubt if he knows Susan Lowe or has ever talked to her.
Mr. Pela writes about these people as if they are abberations and characters in a made up book. His attitude is one of wierd disdain and prudish snobbery. I don't understand how John Water's is his favorite director.
He completely gets it all wrong when he says that Jean Hill has no lines in POLYESTER. I mean did he watch the film? She has several lines. I remember them very well as they are some of the films funniest dialogue.
Robrt Pela seems to me like a typical modern gay man (and I am a queer so I can say this) who embraces the gay politcal agenda and establishment as the only right way to live, and to be gay. His reactions to many things Watersian is very stereotypical and myopic. Robrt Pela seems to feel that because he IS gay that somehow this gives him an insight into what John Waters and the Dreamlander's were, and are, all about.
This book is well written, but offers nothing new about John Waters. It is at best, tolerable subway reading.
Mr. Pela seems to me, to live in a very small and safe world where nothing ICKY ever happens. He is a voyeur. He is watching John Waters and his crew from the safety of his television. He thinks he should like it and appreciate because he is gay. I think this is just not true. I think if he looked at himself beyond his sexuality he would discover that he does not like John Waters at all and would instead write a book about the films of George Cukor.

A unique biography/filmography for a unique individual. Tackling the complex life of an icon such as John Waters would be anything but simple, yet this author has done just that. Pela reveals all we want to know about Waters early relationships, his film career, and more. It was a great read filled with quirky facts and hilarious recollections from Walters.

Before reading this book, I knew little to nothing about John Waters. I'd only seen two of his films, Pecker and Cry-Baby, and I enjoyed both. One day I was shopping at my local bookstore when I noticed a announcement for a reading of this book by its author. I decided to attend. I'm glad I did. Not only did I get a couple of autographed copies, but I became introduced to a whole new world of trashy films.

I am a person of patterns. I like order. The way this book is set up chronologically really appeals to me. Robrt Pela did a great job setting up a description of each Waters project, along with a background on each of the players and Mr. Waters himself. I had no idea how disgusting John Waters really was (and continues to be). And how willing he was to put it all on film. In a trashy way, that appeals to me. Can't be perfect all the time.

The interviews with the bizarre Waters fans were well done. One would have to be pretty brave to converse with some of these folks. I liked how these interviews were set in-between the rest of the back story on Waters and his camp. I enjoy Robrt's sassy approach to his over anticipated introduction to Baltimore, and how at every turn he was disappointed that it wasn't more trashy.

My two favorite chapters are six and ten. I like six because it is nothing but quotes about one tiny scene. And ten because its the, "guide to recurring imagery and motifs in Johns Waters film." In this chapter, all the work has been done for the viewer. What could be better?

The filmography at the end is one of the best I have ever seen. I am constantly seeing and reading about movies. So to be able to read one as thorough as this one was, was a pleasant surprise. It was the perfect introduction to Waters world.

Well done Mr. Pela :)

There are things about Robrt Pela's book that I really like. For instance, I enjoyed his accounting of his first and aparently only trip to Baltimore. Without knowing it, Pela steps on the toes of nearly every fan who has fun in John's world. Pela missed out on the fun. It took John Waters a lifetime to fall in love with Charm City's characters, so much so that he escaped the suburbs to join them, film them, and present them to the rest of us as a loving parent, showing off his children. As a man who makes his living reviewing theater, Pela's approach is understandable. I guess I like the book because John liked it and who am I to argue with that? I recommend reading it as a guide for the novice, the curious, the uninitiated.

In Filthy, Robrt Pela brings many things to life for the John Waters fan including some outrageously funny and far out fans! Baltimore itself comes to life throughout the book as Pela spins the tales of movie making history. But the most brilliant and hilarious resurrection Pela manages to pull off is that of Divine in Chapter Three.

The themes and motifs chapter and the filmography chapter were packed full of odd bits of trivia that were entertaining and fascinating. The book is informative yes, but incredibly funny! And how else could you, SHOULD you write about John Waters and his movies?

Waters himself said, "I pride myself on the fact that my work has no socially redeeming value." Maybe he's right, but he's become a movie icon and pop culture hero to many people nonetheless and Robrt Pela does a good job of explaining why that is in Filthy: The Weird World of John Waters.