Michael_Elliott This Filthy World (2006) *** (out of 4) This one-man show features John Waters on stage in Australia where he discusses his life, films and hopes for the future. Being Waters you know this isn't going to be your typical, uplifting conversation as he starts off talking about the three negative influences in his life and then moves onto filmmakers that he learned the most from and sure enough it's gimmick master William Castle. Waters talks about several sexual things including new positions, people from Baltimore and countless other subjects but I think the real interest for fans is going to be him discussing all of his movies in the order that he made them. This is where we get some incredibly funny stories and especially with some of his earlier films like MONDO TRASH and MULTIPLE MANIACS. The story about them in an unknown farmer's pig pen filming is priceless. The PINK FLAMINGO stuff is all familiar stories but they remain entertaining no matter how many times you see them. He then gets into details about coming out of the midnight movie stuff and hitting mainstream with HAIRSPRAY and CRY BABY. All in all this is a pretty funny show even with the few dry moments that are scattered throughout. No matter what you think of his films, Waters is a pretty unique filmmaker and he's always got some great stories to tell. This here will mainly appeal to his fans or those who aren't easily offended but it's worth sitting through.

lastliberal Coincidentally, I saw this one-man show right after watching Trantasia. How appropriate. Getting to know John Waters and his mind was a worthwhile experience.He talks about how he got started and gives brief discussions on all of his films, interspersed with some of the things that interest him. Believe me, you will find out about things that you never knew existed! It is not a comedy act, just a chance to see some of the things that make Waters tick. Of course, if you are not a Waters fan, it will bore you, but for those who appreciate his art, it was enchanting.Check it out.

preppy-3 John Waters did a one man show a year or two ago around the country. This film shows the whole show. Basically it's just Waters talking about good (and bad) taste, all his movies, his battles with the ratings board (over "Low Down Dirty Shame"), the actors he worked with, various sexual acts and his life in general. This movie is frequently hilarious and never boring...but not for everybody. The language is VERY raw and Waters doesn't shy away from anything (the comments about fisting got to me a little). This isn't for people who are easily offended but for those who love Waters and his films this is lots of fun. An 8--only because it IS a stage show and gets somewhat stagy a few times.

bowlofsoul23 It's really interesting that my favorite movie in the Istanbul Film Festival so far is the least cinematic of them all. Essentially, "This Filthy World" is just a means of taking John Waters' one-man show to people who can't see it otherwise. And thank God for that! (I can just imagine Waters saying that, can't you?) It's not particularly notable for its use of mise-en-scene, music, or art direction. But it's funny as sh*%.Waters' shtick is well-known, and I love it. I don't care if he did make Serial Mom, I've always loved his movies. I love Polyester, Pink Flamingos, and Female Trouble. Trash as an art and comedic form just seems so naturally funny to me, as do Waters and his acolytes, or shall I say "tramps"? I think he would like that better.This movie is his one-man show, stories about the films he saw while growing up (many of which I would love to get copies of), the people he grew up with (Divine, Mink Stole, and more), and numerous mis-adventures. He throws in quips about things that bother him, the humor of people in Baltimore (followed by the best line in the movie, quoted from a fellow Baltimorean: "Because you're an asshole!!"), and the growing outlandishness of sexual behavior, even for someone with John Waters' standards, adult diapers anyone? I never would have thought he was so funny on his own but he truly truly is. This is his torch song I guess, and you can tell he's a nice and loyal guy because he rarely has a mean word for anybody, and even his name-dropping in graceful. He's one of the few famous people that I think I would really love to hang out with. He shows us that not having talent or money can not only be cool but is actually a potential for success. That's comforting.On one last note, I also found it interesting that Waters' favorite director was Joseph Losey. Never in a million years would I have thought of Losey as a candidate, Ed Wood perhaps, or one of the many other loony directors he mentions in the film. Although of all people he can probably appreciate how under-appreciated Losey was and is, his stubborn scrappiness, and even the importance of this quotation from the master director of Monsieur Klein: "Film is a dog: the head is commerce, the tail is art. And only rarely does the tail wag the dog."