Cry-Baby

Name: Cry-Baby
Genre: Comedy, Musical
Released: April 6, 1990
Duration: 85 min
Rating: 63
Cast: Amy Locane, Darren E. Burrows, Iggy Pop, Johnny Depp, Kim McGuire

1990

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 6 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 6 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: April 6, 1990 | TV-14

Starring: Amy Locane, Darren E. Burrows, Iggy Pop, Johnny Depp, Kim McGuire, Polly Bergen, Ricki Lake, Stephen Mailer, Susan Tyrrell, Traci Lords

Summary: In 1950s Baltimore, a bad boy with a heart of gold wins the love of a good girl, whose boyfriend sets out for revenge.

Director: John Waters

Genre(s): Comedy, Musical

Rating: TV-14

Runtime: 85 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Staff (Not Credited)

Replete with a thumpingly good soundtrack mixing old standards with modern pastiches, this is Waters' finest film to date, a worthy successor to Hairspray which exudes teen angst and young lust from every pore...Seriously sexy stuff. Read full review

Jay Boyar

Cry-Baby is hipper and funnier than any Elvis flick ever was, but in many ways it's not so different from Viva Las Vegas or Blue Hawaii. Read full review

Empire Jo Berry

Peppered with fun-to-spot cameos (can you spot Williem Dafoe?), the parody-satire script works well with Depp's adept handling of the titular bad boy. A delinquent joy-ride, though without the Hard-core distaste of previous Waters flicks, which may or may not be a bad thing. Read full review

Harper Barnes

IF you loved ''Hairspray,'' you'll probably like ''Cry-Baby.'' John Waters' latest teen-age musical spoof is entertaining. But it lacks some of the satiric edge that made ''Hairspray'' rather outrageous, although it was quite tame compared to some of Waters' earlier movies. [6 Apr 1990, p.3F]

Rita Kempley

Basically the filmmaker reminds us of his affection for social misfits, but without much conviction. He's simply too hip to commit himself to his beliefs, and a relentless frivolity prevails. Still Cry-Baby is not without its spit-curled charms, its amusing lines and its funky famous-name cameos. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

There are some funny moments, but this may be the first time the director’s scabrous, anarchic wit seems vaguely depressed. Read full review

Jay Scott

Cry-Baby is snifflingly nice. By going too far with its teardrop motif, it does the soggily unthinkable: it waters John Waters down. [6 Apr 1990]

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User Reviews

Mikeychump

Jun 4, 2021

The best words to describe this film are corny, comedic, and classic. This is a John Waters film through and through, from the music selections, to the costumes, to the characters themselves. The movie itself isn't very long, and has what seems to be a basic plot. A girl falls in love with aThe best words to describe this film are corny, comedic, and classic. This is a John Waters film through and through, from the music selections, to the costumes, to the characters themselves. The movie itself isn't very long, and has what seems to be a basic plot. A girl falls in love with a guy that she is "forbidden" to be with due to their different social upbringings. The thing that really shines about Cry-Baby is what the director chooses to include. Whether it be the beginning scene where we first meet the two protagonists while they're receiving a vaccine in their school gym, or the decision to show rowdy and unruly teens and adults being taken to jail and divided by the police by their race, you become fully aware of the Baltimore that once existed for John Waters. I would recommend this film to anyone familiar with the director, or anyone who loves campy movies that don't take themselves too seriously.… Expand

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eva3si0n

Nov 2, 2022

Cry-Baby comedy musical with a young Johnny Depp. And almost the entire audience of the film are people who want to see one of Depp's first independent roles. Cry-Baby is a typical youth film about the era of the 50s in the United States. The plot in general in Cry-Baby does not play anyCry-Baby comedy musical with a young Johnny Depp. And almost the entire audience of the film are people who want to see one of Depp's first independent roles. Cry-Baby is a typical youth film about the era of the 50s in the United States. The plot in general in Cry-Baby does not play any role, it is secondary and will be pushed into the background. Almost all the events of the film border on the level of absurdity. But the music scenes and soundtrack in the film are excellent. Cry-Baby can't be taken seriously as a musical. It's a parody of all Fifties musical youth comedies. Cry-Baby can be watched by any viewer, initially I expected to see a secondary low-budget film and received a fun youth parody of musicals.… Expand

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