Cecil B Demented Details

Director John Waters targets all he feels is wrong with mainstream cinema in this maliciously witty, if disjointed, Hollywood satire. Stephen Dorff plays the lunatic film-maker of the title, who kidnaps pampered, petulant star Melanie Griffith and forces her into headlining his underground art film, which uses the “ultimate reality” of real people and real terror. Coerced by Dorff's collective of like-minded teenage revolutionaries into tasteless and gory scenarios, Griffith ends up entering into the guerrilla spirit of the production when the media frenzy surrounding her abduction attracts her a whole new legion of fans. Waters's Tinseltown put-down sends up everything from industry protocol and recent hits to porno movies and celebrity gossip. The problem is that the movie revels in its plethora of in-jokes at the expense of entertaining its audience. Griffith is showcased on top bitchy form, but only buffs will be able to get the film's full quota of laughs.

"...The role of Honey Whitlock...gives Ms. Griffith her most engaging screen performance since WORKING GIRL....CECIL B. DEMENTED is consistently amusing and smart..."