Johnny Depp's first starring role, "Cry-Baby," depicts the other side of preconceptions and stereotypes.

We were able to achieve this because we were a group of huggers.

There is another anecdote about the cast of this work. Tracy Rhodes, a young actress who appears in this film, is famous for appearing in pornographic works even though she was under the legal age, and when it came to light, it shocked the entire industry. At the time, many of the people who had been involved with her were the subject of investigations, and she also faced intense public scrutiny. However, Waters dared to use her despite such adversity.

The FBI frequently appeared on the set of ``Cry-Baby'' and interrogated Rose relentlessly, leaving her isolated and suffering at first.

However, it was at this time that the cast and staff of this movie stood up. He supported and encouraged her greatly. In the end, it turns out that there are a lot of people at this crime scene who have pasts that they can't reveal openly (meaning they have criminal records). It is said that they naturally formed a group of close friends and strengthened their cohesion.

"Cry-Baby" preview

That's why there were people on the scene who had made mistakes in the past, people with special backgrounds like Rose, and men like Depp who had strayed from the idol path. And above all, at the top of this distorted mountain is John Waters, who has been described as ``bad taste, vulgarity, and perversion.'' In other words, they were like a division, made up mostly of Hagleys, from generals to privates.

This sense of unity naturally increases the intensity of the scene, creates an atmosphere that transcends acting and directing, and immediately oozes into the images. The sense of realism in the dance and performance scenes, as well as the exhilarating feeling of increasing speed at the climax, can be said to be the result of this. I think it's because they worked together and poured their passion into making Cry-Baby that it's such an incredibly enjoyable, lively work that transcends preconceived notions and stereotypes.

When this film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival, the audience was so moved that they stood up and applauded. This year marks the 30th anniversary of its release, and even when I look back at it, the rhythm and tempo haven't aged at all, and the parts that break through leave a strong impression. As usual, this is a very courageous work that is not bound by the superficial concepts of "delinquents" and "bad guys."

Unfortunately, Johnny Depp, who is full of charisma in this movie, has recently been receiving more and more attention for projects other than acting. I hope he can somehow break out of his shell and escape his current predicament by encountering a work like his old ``Cry-Baby'' that can be called a destiny.

Will it need more time?

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“ Cry-Baby ” DVD footage/audio commentary

“ Edward Scissorhands ” DVD audio commentary

Text: USHIZU ATSUNOBU

Born in Nagasaki in 1977. When he was 3 years old, he saw ``Superman II'' with his father and became fascinated with movies. After The Graduate from Meiji University, he worked for a movie broadcasting channel and then became a movie writer. Currently, in addition to writing for Eiga.com, EYESCREAM, Real Sound Movie Club, etc., he also contributes to media press and theater programs.

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"Cry-Baby"

Blu-ray: 1,886 yen + tax / DVD: 1,429 yen + tax

Publisher: NBCUniversal Entertainment

(C) 1989 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

*Information as of August 2020.

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