I really can't think of a film I hate more than this. It seems like a lot of people praise it and say it is one of the funniest films they have ever seen. This confuses me deeply.

Pink Flamingos is one of the films that made me feel horrible after watching it. I can't believe John Waters actually killed a real chicken on screen for entertainment purposes. Divine is so unfunny and is most likely the worst film character of all time. If I had to make a worst films of all time list, this would be my #1. But my hate goes to John Waters. Every film he has ever done (well almost every film) is just meant to shock for no reason. I don't mind being shocked, but if you are going to shock me then do it for a reason.

What does everyone else think of this so-called "film?"

Bloody hell Usaking. I got the impression you took a dislike to it.

I can't agree that Divine was the worst chartacter of all time. That's long painful list and worthy maybe of another thread. Divine is certainly one of the strangest, but I think there's a place for characters like that. He was fairly unique, certainly back in the early seventies at least. From what I can remember he was the only one in this who could act at all. The rest of the actors were shockingly bad. I was laughing my arse off at just how bad they were.

Waters has always gone for controversy, and he succeeded with this. I remember hearing about this film in the late seventies. It was often mentioned in the same sentence as A Clockwork Orange, in my book, that's fine company. Completely stupid, but that's what people said.

The version I saw a long time ago was probably a censored version. It was still pretty shocking at the time though. I really don't like seeing shit on the screen, especially real literal shit. I'm not too fond of looking at my own, let alone anyone else's.

I can't recommend the film, but I can't dismiss it either. It's way more shocking and inventive than a lot of stuff that miserably tries to shock and fails with high production and big budgets.

I love controversial films as much as the next guy. Most of my favorite films are controversial, but again,  I don't want to be shocked just for the fun of it. I have to be shocked for a reason. Unlike A Clockwork Orange (one of my favorite films), Pink Flamingos shocks because that is the main and ONLY plot. The plot is to shock people. There is no climax, resolution, beginning or anything at all.

I agree that Pink Flamingos is more shocking and inventive than a lot of stuff with big budgets these days, but as I said before, don't shock me for no reason. It is just mean and very cruel.

You're missing the point usaking.  The reason for the film is to shock you. That's what the film is about - shock value.

I think John Waters is very hit or miss.  I still have yet to see Pink Flamingos, but I can say that I look forward to his films (even if they ultimately disappoint) because they're always original and unique.

There's a couple of nails being hit right on the head.

You don't watch a car crash to see something nice. Yet the vast majority of us will have a good look.

Quoted from mcornetto You're missing the point usaking.  The reason for the film is to shock you. That's what the film is about - shock value.

But why am I getting shocked? There is no reason. Why would anyone waste there time getting shocked? I highly doubt that people who own Pink Flamingos re-watch it just to get shocked over and over again.

You'd be surprised. I think the film was released about '73. It's well over 35 years old and we're still talking about it. I think Divine's 'lunch' is one of the most famous bits in Water's films.

The whole reason Horror is so big is because people love to be shocked.

Quoted from usaking But why am I getting shocked? There is no reason. Why would anyone waste there time getting shocked? I highly doubt that people who own Pink Flamingos re-watch it just to get shocked over and over again.

I own the film Pink Flamingoes.  And while I don't watch it on my own, I do show it to friends to watch the expression on their faces when they watch it.  Your expression must have been precious.  

I do, of course, warn them before hand that this film is shocking.

John Waters was raised in Baltimore at a time when Baltimore was not quite out of the 50s even though it was the 70s.  His films were meant to completely shock and obliterate that conservative shell around the town.  Originally they were only shown in Baltimore or nearby.

His films are as much an artistic statement as anything else and apparently they work on that "art" level for you because you seem to be deeply affected by it.

It's possible that this is an exaggeration, but I read that in this film an actual chicken is raped and killed on screen.  

I think it'd be pretty hard to justify that.

Quoted from dresseme It's possible that this is an exaggeration, but I read that in this film an actual chicken is raped and killed on screen.   I think it'd be pretty hard to justify that.

The chicken wasn't raped but it was killed during the making of the film.  That, funnily enough, was not taboo at the time.

rendevous, I disagree with you about horror. Horror is big because people like to get scared. The gore factor helps some horror movies get the scares done right.

I haven't and never will consider Pink Flamingos "art" due to how much I despise the film and the people involved in it. I feel like it is a film for people to see if they want to throw up. Throwing up isn't art, it is just weird. I have watched other John Waters films and they also are not "art" IMO. They are just something to watch if you want to feel what it is like to throw up.

Dressel, an actual chicken was raped and killed on screen. That is one of the big reasons why I hate Pink Flamingos. I am not a member of PETA, nor do I care about them. It is just wrong to kill animals on screen for entertainment. That is the HUGE reason why Cannibal Holocaust is my choice for the 2nd worst film of all time. That's a different story though.

Quoted from usaking I haven't and never will consider Pink Flamingos "art" due to how much I despise the film and the people involved in it. I feel like it is a film for people to see if they want to throw up. Throwing up isn't art, it is just weird. I have watched other John Waters films and they also are not "art" IMO. They are just something to watch if you want to feel what it is like to throw up.

You don't need to think it's "art" for it to be "art".  Actually Pink Flamingos is a masterpiece of sorts.  John Waters filmmaking goes downhill after this film. It's only recently that he's starting to pick up that spark again.

Quoted from usaking Dressel, an actual chicken was raped and killed on screen. That is one of the big reasons why I hate Pink Flamingos. I am not a member of PETA, nor do I care about them. It is just wrong to kill animals on screen for entertainment.

First off, the people in that scene with the chicken are only simulating sex.  It is unfortunate that they chose to kill a chicken during it.  However, and I remind you of this, it was not illegal or even considered wrong to do that back then (the killing of the chicken, not sex with it - and they probably ate it afterward).  It's amazing that people today choose to pick on this one scene to condemn the film and that wasn't even the most shocking part of the film back when it was made.  

Disagree? With me? I don't know WHAT to say. Oh yeah I do, fair enough.  :P

For each their own and all that. Scared and shocked are pretty close though, where do you draw the line on that one? The gore factor is supposed to shock, is it not? Just to scare? Shurely shome mishtake.

I think despising the people who made it is pretty strong. At the time they weren't doing anything illegal or harmful, at least not to people. Worse things happen to chickens every single day. Go round an abbatoir or spend a few days on a working farm to livestock if you want to get truly shocked about animal cruelty. Oh, it's alright for food? Watch a documentary on farmed pigs. Not bothered?
Don't quite understand how this is so offensive to someone.

I hasten to add I'm not a big fan of PETA or any of those types. But, I'd save my wrath for those types who commit needless harm on animals and such. I can understand people who despise them.

These guys were just making a movie. I am not a fan of Eli Roth or Uwe Boll(ocks), far from it my friend. But I can't I despise them because of their 'work' (I use that word it its widest possible sense - shite was my original choice). At best I find them incompetent and vaguely annoying.

Oh dear. I feel I'm ranting. By the usaking, I'm not trying to wind you up or annoy. If I have I apologise now. I'm just trying to understand how you can feel that way about this. I find a lot of movies way more offensive by being merely utter rubbish.

I won't touch the art / film debate with a proverbial bargepole.
And I daren't even start on Cannibal Holocaust.

Is it in that film Divine eats dog sh*t?

Michel!

Welcome back. Hope you're okay.

Indeed this is that film. I believe Waters kept it a secret from the rest of the crew at the time. Divine. A man dedicated to do what it says in the script. Bless.

Any film that uses real animal killings in it is basically a film that has run out of ideas. I don't know about the making of Pink flamingos, but I wouldn't be surprised if John Waters added in that scene just for the "fun" of it. I always ask people how they would feel if there pet was killed for entertainment. How would you feel? Happy? Proud? I would feel pretty sick that I contributed to a horrible piece of "art."

I know worse things happen to chickens everyday, but that is still no reason to say that it is okay to kill animals on screen. That is like saying "It is okay to kill a real human, worse things happen to them everyday." You see how wrong that is? I know you aren't trying to annoy me rendevous. Everyone is free to their own opinion. I know Pink Flamingos is a cult movie which is probably the reason I am so different towards it. I am used to loving a lot of cult films, but Pink Flamingos was one of my biggest disappointments ever.

And yes michel, this is the film where he/she eats dog sh*t.

Oops.




Me - "I hasten to add I'm not a big fan of PETA or any of those types."

I'm not against them either...**Re scurries back to his corner, with red cheeks**

The very thought...

Hate on Pink Flamingoes is inevitable. It's not a so-bad-it's-good movie. It's a bad movie that's supposed to be bad. I think it goes far beyond shock value. Look at the acting for example. It's terrible and is supposed to be. Not sure what Waters' intentions were for it but to me, it's always seemed like a joke that its followers enjoy being in on. I could be wrong but it really seems more like a celebration of all things tasteless than something that's supposed to be funny because it's tasteless. I thought it had its moments. The egg lady still grosses me out to this day.

It's not my favorite Waters movie though. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of his but I did like A Dirty Shame. I think it's his best. A lot more fun than Pink Flamingoes and not as cutesy as his later movies (Hairspray, Crybaby, etc.). It finds a happy balance. Honestly, I'd recommend it to anyone who hated Pink Flamingoes.