Multiple Maniacs (1970)

Multiple Maniacs: Directed by John Waters. With Divine, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Mink Stole. Three determined women, Divine, Cookie and Mink Stole, set out to solve the Sharon Tate murders.

“Of all of John Waters films, this is the only one that offended me in some way. But more on that later. I was surprised to see that this early John Waters movie was available on video, presuming it would be long out of print (like u0026quot;Mondo Trashou0026quot; and u0026quot;Female Troubleu0026quot;)! It can usually be found for sale dirt cheap or for rent easily.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDivine stars as a brunette for the first time in Watersu0026#39; first sound film. The sound, cinematography, and editing is real rough, but it gives u0026quot;Multiple Maniacsu0026quot; a priceless documentary-like quality that is enhanced by the near flawless delivery of Watersu0026#39; hilarious dialogue! Watersu0026#39; early cast is here and two new additions (Cookie Mueller and Edith Massey) liven things up a bit. Great performances worth catching are given by Divine, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Cookie Mueller, and Rick Morrow. Mink Stole gives one of only two mediocre roles in Watersu0026#39; films (the other is u0026quot;Mondo Trashou0026quot;) and Edith Massey is not as great as she would be in her subsequent appearances in u0026quot;Pink Flamingosu0026quot;, u0026quot;Female Troubleu0026quot;, u0026quot;Desperate Livingu0026quot; and u0026quot;Polyesteru0026quot;! Watch close for Cookie Mueller and Mink Stole in cameos as two of the snobby patrons of the Cavalcade of Perversions! The music is fantastic, more copyright-infringing oldies that are great listening (including Elvis Presleyu0026#39;s u0026quot;Just Becauseu0026quot; and a bunch of unidentified but classic instrumentals).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNow why this movie offended me: the rosary job and the crucifixion. I just thought these scenes are the sickest things Iu0026#39;ve ever seen done in a Waters film (topping even the dog sh*t-eating in u0026quot;Pink Flamingosu0026quot;)! The crucifixion is very well done, but just seems in VERY bad taste and the rosary job just defies any description. Itu0026#39;s not even fun for me to watch! But everything else about u0026quot;Multiple Maniacsu0026quot; is classic Waters. The film does get a bit boring after Divineu0026#39;s rape by Lobstora, but the ending shows the lust for violence found in Vietnam Era America, juxtaposed with Kate Smithu0026#39;s u0026quot;God Bless Americau0026quot; playing in the background. Not for a Waters fan who has only seen u0026quot;Hairsprayu0026quot;, thatu0026#39;s for damn sure! Underground film fans will find lots of great techniques to use and psychotronic film fans will eat it up!”