I have been trying to find a way to
describe John Waters' Multiple Maniacs. It is true to its tagline 'a celluloid
atrocity' but what I've struggled with is whether it is a good thing or not. I
have only seen a few of Waters' films (Serial Mom, A Dirty Shame, bits of
Hairspray) and I found them bizarre and some scenes unwatchable but I
appreciated that Waters' cult status was because of his style, vision and
writing, it just wasn't something I could watch repeatedly. But I went to see
Multiple Maniacs with an open mind and oh my did I need an open mind for this
one.
Shot on a micro budget and filmed in
exotic locations such as Baltimore and Waters’ parents garden, the film has a
down and dirt quality from the start. From the, what looked like, hand scrolled
credits to the fantastically over the top, underplayed acting, the introduction
to Lady Divine’s Cavalcade of Perversions is enticing as well as disgusting.
Offering such attractions as ‘the puke eater’ and ‘a heroin addict going cold
turkey’ and two people licking someone else’s hairy armpits. But as Mr David
(David Lochary), coaxes a small crowd into the free exhibition with an amusing
list of what is to be found inside the tents, there is a feeling that something
else is going to happen. Enter Lady Divine (Divine) lounging naked looking into
a mirror (what a screen introduction) and barking orders at the troupe. Things aren’t great between her and her
boyfriend, Mr David hinting at unrest in the ‘family’. This is the real ‘story’
with the free show being a front for a robbery/murder. The plot shifts to Mr
David having an affair with Bonnie (Mary Vivian Pearce) and plotting Lady
Divine’s murder, while she is set on revenge for Mr David’s betrayal.
In between in all the blood, drugs,
mayhem, the film has an odd interlude where Divine seeks solace in a church
after being attacked. She tried to pray but instead succumbs to the allure of a
woman (Mink Stole) who sleeps in confessionals and gives people ‘Rosary Jobs’.
She and Divine have a weird and bizarre sexual encounter in the church, which
is intercut with each of them going through the Stations of the Cross in
voiceover as well as the a scene with the rest of the cast re-enacting the
story. It was strangely in-depth with detail of what happened at each stage.
But, this isn’t the strangest thing to happen in the film that is saved for
near the ending. This section of the film could be seen as an attempt from Lady
Divine to find answers her behavior and her murderous glee but she is corrupted
and seduced by the strange and depraved.
Despite the scene in the church and
brutal murders that happen, Divine’s rampage through the streets of the city is
a terrifying thing to behold. Covered in blood and god knows what else in a one
piece swimming costume and a fur coat. She embraces the maniac inside and just
lets loose. It could be described as a revenge film or a crime story but for me
I see it as film about being able to let your crazy side out.
There are some fantastic moments in
this film, the lobster especially as it is unexpected and literally for no
reason, with comedic and horror elements too, its hybrid that once you start
watching you can’t stop as sometimes, its hard to believe what you’re watching
is happening, which could be great cinema. Overall, I think it’s a film you
need to see for yourself as I am actually not doing it justice.