Blyss's Movie Review for:
Main Cast of Characters:
Johnny Depp.........Wade "Crybaby" Walker
Amy Locane..........Allison Vernon-Williams
Susan Tyrrell.........Ramona Rickets
Polly Bergen..........Mrs. Vernon-Williams
Iggy Pop...........Uncle Belvedere
Ricki Lake..........Pepper Walker
Traci Lords...........Wanda
Kim McGuire...........Mona "Hatchetface" Malnurowski
Darren E. Burrows...........Milton
Kim Webb...........Lenora
Stephen Mailer...........Baldwin
Robert Marbury...........Pepper's Boyfriend
1990. Rated: PG-13; Genre: Comedy; /85 minutes
Why are the cool guys so bad?
The movie Crybaby is a tale of love and social groups set in the 1950's. In this time, you are either one of two social groups: a Drape or a Square. Crybaby and his gang, Pepper, Wanda, Milton, and Hatchetface are a gang of "Drapes" who smoke, drink, and hang out at the "redneck riviera" Turkey Point. They have questionable backgrounds and are often involved in juvenile delinquent activities. Alison Vernon-Williams, her boyfriend, Baldwin, and many others are considered "Squares" who are rich upper crust kids who seem to have a snobbish air about them. Allison is the one exception. Crybaby catches Allison's eye when she is getting her shot at school. She watches him the rest of the day and decides that "she is tired of being good". She tries to make friends with the Crybaby gang but her grandmother and boyfriend will not allow it and cart her away from them. Crybaby and his gang go after them because Allison said that she would love to hear him sing and he does while a car is coming straight for them. Crybaby later shows up at Allison's Grandmother's home and asks to see Allison. The grandmother doesn't want to and Baldwin blindsides Crybaby. Allison is enraged and goes with Crybaby anyway. When Baldwin comes to his senses, he is furious and goes after the Drapes. That night, Allison turns from her Square ways and the Crybaby girls show her what it is like to be part of their group. Allison also gets to sing with Crybaby on stage and she decides that he is the one that she wants to be with. She has two main obstacles stopping her from being with Crybaby: her grandmother, who later relents, and Lenora, a trampy girl who attaches herself to crowds just so she can feel like she is a part of something and who is in love with Crybaby. What will happen to Allison and Crybaby that night when they are arrested for something they didn't do and when Lenora tells Allison the ultimate lie? Is their love strong enough to withstand all of that?
I remember going to the Silver Screen on the beach and seeing this movie with my cousin and my sister. My sister and I thought it was pretty cool (we were teens) but my grown cousin complained the whole time about how stupid it was. It was comical. But unfortunately, we had 2 groups of socialites and the school where I was attending at the time. The Preps were equal to the Squares and the Headbangers were equal to the Drapes. I was a Headbanger. So I could totally relate to this movie! My favorite part is when the parents are all in the courtroom after the gang and Allison are arrested. The parents behaviors reflect what is wrong with their children for sure! I think my favorite character was Hatchetface. She was strong and tough and did not seem to care what anyone thought or said to her...as long as Milton loved her. That is a great character! I would also like to see a pic of the actress portraying her without all of the Hatchetface stuff going on.
Overall, I know most people find this movie very silly, but I feel like it says something about youth. Youth is often trivial and concentrated on things such as how much money one's parents has or a family reputation. Young people should be focusing on what they know from their own personal experiences with certain people instead of always listening to gossip and then forming opinions and judgments that have nothing to do with them. Sadly, I know some adults that should follow that rule also. If you are a Johnny Depp or Amy Locane fan, this is a great movie to rent. It is a great comedy with an excellent message for any generation.
I rate this movie: 8
Blyss