Cry-Baby (1990)
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A 1950s teen rebel and a high-society girl defy social taboos to fall in love.
The story
In 1954 Baltimore, Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker leads a group of delinquent youth known as "drapes." His life changes when he meets Allison Vernon-Williams, a beautiful upper-class girl who is tired of being a "square." The two fall in love, defying the strict social boundaries of their respective subcultures. As they navigate their burgeoning romance, they face opposition from the rest of the town and must overcome various obstacles to be together. The film explores the friction between these two worlds and the consequences of their rebellious actions on the local community.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In Baltimore 1954, Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker leads a group of "drapes," including his sister Pepper, the disfigured Mona "Hatchet-Face" Malnorowski, and the sexually precocious Wanda Woodward. After meeting Allison Vernon-Williams, a "square," the two fall in love. After a makeover at Turkey Point, they share their tragic pasts: Cry-Baby's father was the "Alphabet Bomber," and Allison's parents died in a plane crash. A riot by Allison's jealous boyfriend, Baldwin, leads to the Drapes' cars being vandalized and Cry-Baby's motorcycle being burned. Cry-Baby is sentenced to a boys' school, while Pepper's children are sent to an orphanage. After a false pregnancy claim by Lenora Frigid, Allison briefly returns to the squares. Cry-Baby escapes prison with the help of Milton and Hatchet-Face. Eventually, Allison's grandmother allies with the Drapes to campaign for Cry-Baby's release. A performance by Allison persuades the judge to free him. In a final chicken race against Baldwin, Cry-Baby wins after Baldwin chickens out. The film ends with the couple reunited as everyone else cries a single tear.
- First release year
- 1990
- Runtime (minutes)
- 85
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- John Waters
- Writers
- John Waters · writer
- Cast and characters
- Johnny Depp · Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker; Amy Locane; Susan Tyrrell; Iggy Pop; Ricki Lake; Traci Lords; Polly Bergen
- Genres
- musical; romantic comedy; teen; satirical
- Themes
- social taboos; rebellion; forbidden love; dysfunctional families
- Tone and mood
- campy; infectious; musical
- Premise and plot tags
- teen romance; musical comedy; subculture clash
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics and has since become a cult classic. It was a box office failure during its initial release but has gained a following over time.
- Awards and nominations
- Tony Awards · Best Musical · nominated
- Production trivia
- It was John Waters' first film following the death of Divine.; The film spawned a 2008 Broadway musical.; The film opened in an unprecedented number of North American theaters for a Waters film.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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