kitrable

I saw this at the Reel Pride festival last November (2001), and couldn't stop thinking about it for days afterward. While it's been called a "wake-up call" to some members of the gay community it doesn't come off as didactic as it could. Instead you find yourself caring about the characters and wondering what will happen to them after the movie ends.

The only thing wrong with the film is the intended main character, i.e., the cop who leaves the repressive and hostile smalltown life for the wildlife of West Hollywood. While his character is not a static one, the changes that take place in his life seem to come as a result of his passivity rather than any active move on his part. This isn't helped by the bland and vanilla acting of Jonathan Wade-Drahos. Andre Khabbazi as the jaded Hector on the other hand brings much to his character, and so Hector becomes the one your heart goes out to. Wade-Drahos acting aside, this is a well-told story, and one that merits a wide release. Check it out as soon as you can. As for me, I can't wait for the video.

One of the things John Waters likes to do with his films is to shock and offend his audience, and this film is one of his more successful attempts. First off he pokes fun at our society's fascination with and disgust of the counter-culture (gay culture, pornographers, etc.). But in Multiple Maniacs, John Waters prime target is the Catholic Church. I won't go into details but suffice it to say there is a very naughty scene between Mink Stole and Divine in a church, and that is my favorite scene in the whole movie. While some people are highly offended by it, I, on the other hand get a kick out of it. I can just see John Waters as a mischievous young man filming the scene with a gleam in his eye, knowing the kind of reaction it will evoke.