Customer Reviews

Multiple Maniacs [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Multiple Maniacs is an experience of its own. There's no category for this movie. You'll be shocked, which John Waters is famous for. And don't worry, the shock in Multiple Maniacs is not, and will never be, dated. There can never be another more shocking movie than Multiple Maniacs, unless you're talking about another movie done by the amazingly talented Mr. Waters.

The movie is, well, funny. There's no other way to put it. It's a hilarious voyage through the trash that is, get this, circus freaks. Mr. Waters takes you through the adventures of Lady Divine, a huge, un-humble, and strangely attractive 300 pound transvestite. You can see lesbians, you can see the infamous puke-eater, and the most notorious actual queers! They kiss on the lips, like lovers!

But, of all the excellent qualities of Multiple Maniacs, there's nothing like a 90 minute dose of Divinity. Seeing her (him?) parade around in seemingly skin-tight and sexy, flamboyant dresses, talking about the murder of Sharon Tate, and smearing the fabulous Mink Stole's face with black lipstick is simply a miracle. The rosary job is, well, amazing. Shocking! Horrific! Revolting! Hilarious! Great!

It comes down to this: Multiple Maniacs is a must see. A must see for all. Whether you love it or you hate it, (there is no inbetween,) you've got to see it. There's no other movie quite like Multiple Maniacs. And, rest assured, you'll get quite the kick out of seeing Divine, especially if this is your first 'divine' experience. So, stop reading this, you won't hear anything new, and see it.

Multiple Maniacs is on par with John Waters' Pink Flamingos when it comes to sleaziness and filth, though not quite as polished. The black-and-white cinematography gives the film a certain raw and crude quality, but that outrageous, hilarious Waters' dialogue, though in its infancy stages here, is already wielding an undeniable power over those of us who love trash cinema. Some scenes drag on a little longer than necessary, such as David and Bonnie lounging around in bed, or Cookie and Steve talking about riots but there are others, such as the opening in the circus tent, and the "rosary job" that more than make up for it. Be sure to look and listen for Divine and Cookie flubbing their lines, Divine's wig almost falling off as he is being violated by Lobstora, and Mink Stole trying not to laugh as a male pedestrian walks by when she and Divine are discussing the murder of Mr. David and Bonnie. All in all, I recommend watching this only AFTER you have seen Hairspray, Polyester, Female Trouble, Pink Flamingos, and Desperate Living, in THAT order. By that time you will have decided if you are a true John Waters fan or not.

You will never look at seafood or a Rosary the same again! Other recovering-Catholics will either be amused or terrified! No more side shows for me, that's for sure (unless they would let me join) :-)

One of the greatest movies ever made

This movie is good. It's interesting, vile, and gets a serious point through at the very end. This is one John Waters film that can really be appreciated. The bad cinematography and bad film quality make it all the more enjoyable. However, it's lack of good old John Waters humor made it somewhat less enjoyable, to me at least. Don't worry though, this is one helluva good movie.

Any one who thinks this is a horrible film has a horrible sense of humor. Multiple Maniacs is probably the most ground-breaking independent anti-art film ever. It's jet black humor surpasses any movie that was made before or since. John Waters at his best!!!!!!!!!!!!

Multiple Maniacs is Waters' first "talky" and it seems that he was a little inexperienced at writing dialogue at this point. Some of the lines are just way too silly or practically imcomprehendable (even for him !). While the acting has always been intentionally corny (in his early films)it goes beyond that in this one. Divine doesn't even seem as confident here either.It's predecesor, Mondo Trasho (1969) is miles above this, even though it's mainly like a silent film (occasionally a line or two is dubbed in)with a soundtrack, mainly of rock n'roll oldies, pre- rock n'roll pop, and trashy Catholic religous recordings. Maybe even the larger downfall is the thin plot of Multiple Maniacs. Some scenes like "the rosary job" (w/ the stations of the cross) go on a little long and may be time wasters.The Lobstora attack just comes out of nowhere is out of place. Maybe Waters was torn between Warhol's art world and making true comic trash at this point. You still need to see it if you're a fan.

This is John Waters' first "Talkie," and God, does Divine talk!
A lot of freaks think this one is Waters' best. It brings out the unlimited talent of Divine, Mink Stole, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pierce, and introduces us to the deliciously ugly Edith Massey!

When these clowns spout out all the totally absurd lines that were stillborn in the Pope of Trash- John Waters' fertile imagination, no jaw is left shut, and no lunch is left unlaunched! John's Catholic upbringing is left not to the imagination when you see the infamous "Rosary Job" scene, replete with endless dialogue about the Stations of the Cross! To complete the blasphemy, at the end of the "Blessed Sexual Encounter," John shoots a scene of a heroin junkie "shooting up" on the churchs' alter!

As the twisted plot evolves, Divine goes crazy after SHe gets raped by 9 foot Lobstora, then SHe does the ultimate blasphemy: using a sledgehammer to bash out all the windows of a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere! Oh, where is "Christine" when you need her?:)

My favorite scene is after Divine gets raped by that transvestite on the street! The look on HIr face, the JOY in HIr eyes, and that hideous SMILE on HIr proves that SHe really GOT OFF on it!

I wish that Waters would release this film and also Mondo Trasho on DVD!

And I mean it. Desperate living is perhaps the only other film Waters has done that stands along side Multiple Maniacs in terms of sheer entertainment, originality and creativity. Female Trouble and Pink Flamingos are also good, but Pink Flamingos is a bit overrated, sense most people only seem to want to see it for the shock value. Polyester was really the end for true John Waters as he started working with higher budgets and more mainstream cast members, and anything Hairspray and beyond is just terrible.

The great things about these early John Waters movies, is that they are the personification of the man's genius and creative humor. His complete disregard for political correctness and totally unconventional approach in the technical aspect of filmmaking were his shinning trademarks that seemed to embellish his charms. Multiple Maniacs is the personification of what was Waters' aesthetic. Yes, the editing is rough, the audio is ear bleeding, there is over/under exposure, but... it simply works. The acting is hard to put a finger on, most people would say its terrible, but I tend to disagree. There's just something special about actors and actresses who can memorize long monologues for seven minute continuous takes. Certainly they're not bad, just different. Awkward. But again, it works.

I would like to take the time now to discredit all past reviewers who have said that there is nothing shocking or offensive in this movie. Sure, it's not as visually graphic as Pink Flamingos, but to suggest there is nothing offensive in this film is ludicrous. How could anyone sit through the infamous rosary job, and not marvel at the fact Waters was not assassinated by religious zealots? In terms of idea, this is possibly Waters' most offensive and sinister film ever.

All I can say is that it's a shame Waters has abandoned his true talent. His talent being of course, "Trash art." Trashy art is what makes this film, and all of water's pre Polyester films so great. His crude and course combo of hit and run film making, interesting non-actors, along with his twisted thoughts and ideas, are what really works for him. His current use of "professional" big names in fiascos like Serial Mom, Pecker, and his worst to date, Cecil B.Demented, along with significantly better production value, just don't mix with what he wants to portray on screen.

So if you want to see a real J.W treasure, check this one out at all costs. I find it kind of funny how this has yet to see a DVD release, yet Waters claims it to be his favorite out of all his films. but then again, that was before Hairspray.

for those of you who have only seen Post Devine Movies - YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE MISSING!! Devine was (I cant say it...well- ok ) DEVINE!! One of waters earlier films, it grosses you out, and keeps you intrigued! Not for someone with high moral standards or no sense of humor. It is irony at its best!!!! I HIGHLY recommend it!