John Waters' Multiple Maniacs

A revolutionary cinematic act for 1970, John Waters' "Multiple Maniacs" doesn't hide its horrible taste, but rather flaunts it. Stamped on the box is a claim, "A Celluloid Atrocity," and it's a testament that the film is consistently one-upping itself on.

This is a movie that could genuinely give your prude, Catholic aunt a heart attack if she were to watch it. It's a film where juxtaposing the story of the Stations of the Cross with a gratuitous sex act involving rosary beads is topped only by the film's main character being raped by a giant lobster. You'll find yourself swapping between guilty laughter, mouth agape in shock and sheer disbelief at what is being shown. Or, depending on who you are, you may just shut the movie off and deem it the devil's work.

To say "Multiple Maniacs" is acquired taste is an understatement. This movie is pure, self-aware trash completely controlled by the singular vision of John Waters, a vulgar auteur of epic proportions.

The Criterion Collection helps bring this whacko fever nightmare back to life with a stunning 4K transfer that remedies much of the film's technical pitfalls. In the release's accompanying essay by Linda Yablonsky, readers learn that Waters recorded sound directly on to the film stock and ordered his actors to yell in fear that their voices wouldn't pick up on the audio. The result, in the film's initial release, was a product that felt choppy and cacophonous in its visual and aural qualities. Through its restoration, however, the film is saved in remarkable ways. The grittiness remains, but it's a wonder to behold rather than a chore.

The new and improved sound/image is the best part about Criterion's Blu-ray restoration, which also includes an audio commentary from Waters and video interviews with members of the eclectic cast. Just be forewarned, this movie excels in garbage taste. Debauchery, murder, sex, language, drugs and more are just the beginning. This is unlike anything you've seen before, even when you're watching it 47 years after its inception.

John Waters' "Multiple Maniacs"
Criterion Collection Blu-Ray
$31.96
https://www.criterion.com/films/28954-multiple-maniacs