Film Review: Cecil B. Demented (2000)

Quality of Hollywood films used to be much higher quarter of century ago than it is today. Yet, even in those seemingly utopian times there was more than enough garbage coming from Hollywood to make many critics sympathetic to the unusual and rather radical plot premise in Cecil B. Demented, 2000 satirical comedy written and directed by John Waters.

The protagonist, played by Stephen Dorff, is Cecil B. Demented, aspiring director of low budget independent art films who became so disgusted with creatively bankrupt Hollywood churning out soulless sequels, that he decided to literally start war against mainstream cinema. He has gathered small cult-like group of cinema enthusiasts known as Sprocket Holes with which he would start revolutionary campaign of guerilla film making. Cecil’s plan is to make radical film that would represent “ultimate reality”. The only ingredient needed for the project is proper actress, but, thankfully, spoiled Hollywood star Honey Whitlock (played by Melanie Griffith) has just arrived in Baltimore to attend the premiere of her latest film. Cecil and his followers abduct her and coerce her into taking part in their production. She at first does so reluctantly, but gradually warms up to Cecil and his artistic principles, becoming one of his enthusiastic followers. The filming, during which they must defy city’s authorities and avoid capture by police, include series of armed confrontations during which Sprocket Holes will lose many of their members, but Cecil is determined to finish his life’s work.

Idea of radical anti-establishment film maker literally declaring war on Hollywood looked interesting on paper, and even more interesting when the director was John Waters, Baltimore film maker who had made his name in 1970s with the series of transgressive low budget films, made with guerrilla-like tactics similar to those applied by his fictional alter ego. The idea, however, wasn’t properly developed by Waters whose satirical jabs against American film industry lose much of their tempo after somewhat promising beginning. Lack of proper humour is, like with so many Hollywood comedies, compensated by action which becomes increasingly violent and mindless as time goes by. Impression is, however, improved by spirited performances of Dorff and Griffith, the latter apparently having great fun while portraying arrogant Hollywood celebrity who goes through Patty Hearst-like transformation in captivity. Same enthusiasm can be observed by supporting cast, including Alicia Witt, Mike Shannon and Maggie Gyllenhaal in their early roles. Cecil B. Demented didn’t create much enthusiasm among critics and it turned into box office flop, but that doesn’t mean that the audience with extra time to spare and lowered expectations shouldn’t try it.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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