Pink Flamingos Blu-ray Review

The Criterion Blu-ray release of "Pink Flamingos" showcases meticulous restoration efforts, resulting in the most visually refined version of this notorious film yet. Presented with a 1.66:1 aspect ratio and encoded in MPEG-4 AVC, the 1080p transfer breathes new life into the 16mm Ektachrome positive that had been stored in John Waters' attic for five decades. This high-resolution treatment on a Lasergraphics Director film scanner at Metropolis Post has managed to clean up numerous instances of wear without stripping away the film's inherent rawness and cinematic texture. While improved color saturation and stable image stability enhance the film's appeal, the preservation of film grain ensures that the grungy aesthetic remains intact.

The visual presentation retains many of the original film's distinct characteristics, emphasizing its low-budget roots and unconventional style. The lighting remains uncompromisingly flat, with little shadow play, aligning with Waters' aesthetic and thematic intentions. The use of actual locations rather than constructed sets allowed for creative shooting in confined spaces, emphasizing the unique character of the film. The restoration highlights bold primary colors, particularly noticeable in Divine's iconic red dress, though there are occasional posterization effects that may catch the astute viewer's eye.

While there's an undeniable improvement in image quality over past home video releases, "Pink Flamingos" still reflects its origins, with intermittent focus issues and sporadic scratches adding character rather than detracting from the experience. The film’s dynamic range exhibits fluctuations inherent to its original production context. Overall, Criterion's efforts offer a visual experience that respects the film's grittiness while providing the cleanest view possible, capturing the eccentric spirit of John Waters' cult classic. This Blu-ray release is regionally locked to Region-A players, so appropriate hardware is required for playback.

The Blu-ray release of "Pink Flamingos" features a straightforward LPCM 1.0 mono audio track, coupled with optional English SDH subtitles for accessibility. While the auditory experience remains uneven, this is consistent with the film's original low-budget production values. Dialog clarity varies depending on the scene and the actor's positioning, yet it remains largely intelligible, thanks to the cast's theatrical delivery. No apparent audio dropouts or encoding anomalies are present, signifying a stable transfer despite occasional fluctuations in balance and dynamics. The sound preservation remains authentic to the film's raw and unpolished charm, rather than exhibiting any distracting spikes or drops typical of unrestored historical content.

Two audio commentary tracks provide insightful context: one from 1997, originally for The Criterion Collection LaserDisc, and another from 2001, used in the New Line Cinema DVD. John Waters offers an engaging walkthrough of the film’s turbulent production process, emphasizing the creative inspirations from eclectic sources such as socio-political events and people from his personal network in Baltimore. Discussing the film’s challenging shooting conditions—including long hours, harsh weather, and limited resources—Waters connects these to its unique aesthetic and rough-hewn appeal. He shares fascinating insights into casting choices and updates on the cast’s post-film endeavors.

Overall, the audio presentation reinforces "Pink Flamingos" as a cult film icon rather than a polished cinematic offering. Its sound track adeptly preserves the original atmosphere with a humble mono presentation that resonates with authenticity. Despite its technical limitations, it provides an honest homage to Waters' provocative vision and daring narrative style. The commentaries enrich the understanding behind the raw audio's quirks, enhancing appreciation for the film's narrative ambition and historical significance within Waters' oeuvre.

The Blu-ray release of "Pink Flamingos" offers a comprehensive collection of extras that delve deeply into the film’s cult legacy. The archival documentary "Divine Trash" provides extensive interviews and insights into John Waters' underground cinema influence, supported by contributions from notable voices like Steve Buscemi and Jim Jarmusch. New segments include an engaging discussion between Waters and Jarmusch on the film’s divisive reception and the evolution of censorship, as well as a tour of original Baltimore locations. Two audio commentaries by Waters, from 1997 and 2001, offer a detailed, heartfelt exploration of the film’s production and cast, enriched with personal anecdotes and inspirations. A unique addition is a collectible barf bag, nodding to the film’s notorious provocations. This thoughtfully curated array of extras invites both new viewers and longtime fans to revisit “Pink Flamingos” with fresh perspectives.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentaries: Archival sessions by John Waters, offering insights into the film's creation.
• Divine Trash: An in-depth documentary exploring Waters' cinema relationships.
• John Waters and Jim Jarmusch: Discussion on the film's impact and censorship.
• Location: Baltimore: Waters revisits filming sites.
• Twenty-Fifth-Anniversary Footage: Interview with outtakes and unused scenes.
• Outtakes: A collection of scenes showcasing the film's raw moments.
• Trailer: The remastered original trailer.
• Leaflet: Includes essays and film credits.
• Barf Bag: A playful nod to the film's provocative reputation.

John Waters' Pink Flamingos, now available on Blu-ray courtesy of the Criterion Collection, is an infamous cinematic venture renowned for its unapologetically shocking content. The film presents a unique narrative of depravity and rivalry between Divine, a man in drag vying for the title of the world’s filthiest person, and a couple engaged in reprehensible acts seeking to claim that title for themselves. This Blu-ray edition offers a first-rate experience with carefully curated supplemental materials including discussions, featurettes, and outtakes that deepen one’s understanding of this cult classic.

The essence of Pink Flamingos lies in its defiance of conventional film standards, flaunting sequences that are as grotesque as they are unforgettable. While every scene is saturated with audacious displays of poor taste, it is the randomness and amateurish flair that starkly outline Waters' directorial choices, crafting a film devoid of any traditional narrative purpose or comedic satire. Pink Flamingos challenges the viewer not with wit, but with its unashamed exhibition of human excess captured in elemental crudeness.

The technical presentation in this Blu-ray release amplifies the film's enduring shock value while subtly reflecting on how certain socio-cultural taboos depicted have normalized over time. The restoration enables audiences to engage with the film’s unbridled aesthetic in high definition, elevating its rank as a historic cultural artifact. While Pink Flamingos may not be Waters' most sophisticated production, its reputation as a boundary-pushing iconoclast remains undiminished, preserving a raw energy that continues to provoke dialogue and fascination decades after its original release. The included barf bag—a nod to its notorious reception—reminds viewers that this experience is not for the faint-hearted.

John Waters’ "Pink Flamingos" is a polarizing cult classic that continues to evoke strong reactions with its brazen satire and unapologetic embrace of social taboos. The film, which propelled Waters and his muse Divine to fame, combines elements of nudity, humor, and violence, all while satirically portraying the trailer lifestyle. Despite its controversial nature, the film’s audacity has earned it a significant place in cultural history, underscored by its induction into the National Film Registry in 2021.

The Criterion Collection’s Blu-ray release of "Pink Flamingos" is sourced from a meticulously supervised 4K master. However, there are divisive opinions regarding its color grading, suggesting potential for improvement. Despite this, the release is praised for its audio quality and an expansive selection of bonus features, notably including two commentary tracks by John Waters himself. These additions provide a comprehensive backdrop for viewers looking to understand Waters’ unorthodox filmmaking approach and the enduring legacy of his work.

Ultimately, "Pink Flamingos" stands as a testament to avant-garde cinema’s boundary-pushing potential. While it may alienate some with its explicit content and amateurish flair, it remains an essential piece of film history for those who appreciate subversive art. As the conclusion astutely points out, bad films emphasize the value of exceptional ones, and "Pink Flamingos," in its own infamous way, embodies John Waters’ peculiar mastery of cinematic provocation. Thus, for those willing to brave its unconventional allure, the Blu-ray edition offers an unparalleled viewing experience.