Tattooed Teardrops

With a long established affection for the fashion, culture and music of the 1950’s I often approach films reminiscent of the period with a slight trepidation caused primarily by the term ‘retro’ which seems to trivialise, and for a short moment bring into fashion, the iconography of the decade. The 50s heralded the birth of teenage rebellion and rock n’ roll music. For the first time teenagers began to act, dress, dance and sing in a manner not approved by their elders. John Waters, who clearly shares my appreciation of this time in history tackles the subject in his 1990 ‘Square’ bashing Crybaby. 

What a sad vision of today's youth.

Crybaby tells the story of a gang of Drapes and their aversion to the authoritarian, and status-quo adhering, Squares. A pre super stardom Johnny Depp is Wade Walker, the central figure who shares

a nickname with the film title through his ability to shed a solitary tear on command. This ‘skill’ is strangely alluring for the teenage females who are driven to distraction by his longing vulnerability. Depp and his gang of misfits are the archetypal 50’s rebels; leather jackets, quiffs and motorbikes. The music is rock n’ roll pastiche which fits perfectly with the era portrayed. The film has it all, musical performances, comedy and pitch battles between youths (then called a rumble and infinitely more endearing than today’s gang fights).

Crybaby is essentially a love story, set in small town Baltimore, with undertones of Romeo & Juliet in the forbidden love of Walker and his girl Allison. Attempts to keep them apart fail miserably and Crybaby shares an extended embrace with Allison who has taken like a duck to water to the lifestyle of the Drape. Our main character Walker ends up in the clink for defending his turf and his woman where he decides the time is right to make his defining feature permanent with the refrain. This scene leads to my favourite musical piece in the film with the pleading ‘Please Mr. Jailor’.

I've been hurt all my life, but real tears wash away. This one's for Allison and I want it to last forever!

The film ends in the manner that all disagreements were addressed in the 1950’s; through a ‘chicken race’. Walker, issues resolved, ends in the arms of his beloved and we know that the world would be a better place if we all learned to accept others in the same way. Crybaby is often labelled a parody of teen musicals however, over the top acting and scripting aside, this is a film that is quite successful in provoking emotion as the story base is one so familiar. Later adapted into a (not hugely successful) stage musical, Crybaby has aged well and does not feel particularly dated. Depp is excellent as Wade Walker and Iggy Pop’s extended cameo is worth the price of admission alone. If like me you are not quite ready to let go of a sense of teenage rebellion then join me in living vicariously through the teary eyes of king Crybaby. Remember

Juvenile delinquents are everywhere.

Official Site - http://www.crybabydvd.com/