Role Models

Wow. Where to start. This book was seriously whack-a-doodle. On the face of it, it is a semi-autobiographical story of the people that influenced, and still do influence, John Waters when growing up and beyond. It gives you a real insight into the inner workings of the man, where his ideas come from, and who he is. It sheds light on the fact that most of the world is far more screwed up than most people realize, and there is a dark, seedy underbelly that lies underneath the one that we all think we already know about, and suggests, strongly, that there are more layers of filth underneath that. I am also convinced, now more than ever, that Baltimore is the filthiest place in the United States, which, I believe, is Mr. Waters point. Casual readers should be warned: this book delves into some pretty dark places. While far from the worst stuff I've ever read, Waters does take the reader to some graphically filthy places, with language, imagery and ideals that many people might find objectionable. However, even at his worst, he manages to turn the subject around and bring out a laugh, forcing you to embrace the absurd filth and laugh with him at the absurdity of it all. Mr Waters writing style is eclectic - he jumps from topic to topic in a seemingly random, if energetic fashion, often raising a point, jumping to another idea or two, then circling back around to the original subject, which makes him a little hard to read, especially when he wanders off topic for a long time. I do believe that he went a little off the rails in the final chapter, in which, I guess, he was casting himself as a role model. And while that certainly fit the theme of the book, hardly matched the style. A slightly tighter editing would have resulted in five stars. If you are a hardcore Waters fan, then this book is a must. If you are an average Waters cultist, then read it. If you are a fan of his most popular works and not a homophobe, then go ahead and read it, it will be enlightening.

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Those of you who are familiar with John Waters' work (including Role Models) will understand the significance of the above phrase. I must confess, I am generally appalled by his movies. Last night I watched Female Trouble and much of it was a turn-off, albeit a brilliantly conceived turn-off. (I did enjoy Serial Mom, Polyester, Hairspray, Cry-Baby, and Pecker, though.) But hearing John Waters speak about his life (you simply MUST get the audio version of this book) is a refreshing experience for me. I first read about John Waters in a book called Midnight Movies (which I had purchased at a used bookstore because it featured a chapter on my favorite cult classic, Night of the Living Dead). There I got to read about many other cult classics, including Pink Flamingos, and I still remember reading about its eccentric director, who at the time filled me with a mixture of horror and glee. Now I'm just full of glee as I ponder Role Models, which I listen to frequently and with relish. My favorite chapter is "Bookworm," where John describes five books that he thinks are worth reading for anyone who "has something basically the matter with him." It's set me on a path of seeking out the mostly obscure literary titles (authors include Denton Welch, Ivy Compton-Burnett, and Jane Bowles).In a particularly poignant chapter, John discusses Lesley Van Houten (ex-Manson follower, now rehabilitated); He also talks about Tennessee Williams, Johnny Matthis, fashion designer Rei Kawakubo, artists such as Cy Twombly and Mike Kelley, as well as some of his favorite Baltimore personalities such as Lady Zorro. He mostly neglects one of his biggest influences, William Castle, although Castle received a whole chapter in John's earlier book, Crackpot.If you love eccentric, you'll love Role Models.

The eccentric world of John Waters is definitely not for everyone. He is, refreshingly, as far away from the mainstream as one can get without being stark raving mad. Sadly, there is currently no one in my life that I would recommend this book to. But I have often used Mr. Water's work, specifically the brilliant and zany movie, Polyester, as a barometer in assessing a potential friend or lover's tolerance of my own lunatic sense of humor. I am filled with nostalgia for the days when I'd sit in front of the VCR with that movie and with the few select people who "got it", laughing my ass off.There is a genius beneath the penciled on mustache, garish clothing and apparent fetish for feces. What makes Mr. Water's writing special in this particular book is that he exposes his role models, however bizarre and raw their innards may be, with a sense of reverence and compassion, despite their obvious shortcomings. His kindness and ultimate belief in the goodness of people is apparent, and although I did not laugh as much as I thought I might while reading Role Models, I have a renewed appreciation for his work.

This is the first book I have read/listened to by John Waters (I got the audio book) and I haven't seen many of his films (I think just Pecker), but I have always loved his interviews on NPR's Fresh Air with Teri Gross. And, I think it is because I know him for his wonderfully personable conversational style and broad interrests (art, reading, creativity, music, people, etc, etc) that I decided to purchase this book and see what it had to offer. Excellant. What a pleasant conversational way to hear about John's interresting personal life and his tastes through his appreciation of his role models. Yes, yes, we all know about his film exploits or public image with sex and shock, but if that was all he had to write about the book would feel very flat and two dimensional. The fact that he is so well rounded as a person and in his interests made this book my favorite of the year. And, yes, there's plenty about sex, some wonderfully unihibited and some that is a little bit shocking for my taste. But, this just adds flavor to the soup. Now, I'm just waiting while Amazon ships the next book I ordered from John's back catalog.

I've been a big fan of the ideas of John Waters since finding a flatmate's discarded "scratch n sniff" card (from Polyester, described as " filmed in fabulous Odorama"). I've since watched most of his movies and wanted to love them but, for the most part, they seemed to me to be a single, drawn out joke better suited to a shorter format.After reading this book I still love his persona but wonder if anyone really knows him. His family appear to have been very supportive of him despite surely not knowing where he came from with his facination for the grotesques of 1950s tv. Despite their consternation he decides he must live his life as a counterpoint to societal expectations resulting in this hilarious memoir (of a sort). I don't know if the tragicomic notes amongst the hilarious vignettes were deliberate but I felt his life has been much harder work and more heartbreaking than he lets on. So I love him all the more.It's a book for fans because anyone who is going to like it has already aligned themselves with John Waters. I've never seen the remakes of Hairspray, I don't think I'd like them, but I approve of them if they provide the author with a well deserved pension.

This frank and honest autobiography by underground film director and writer, John Waters, is an account of the people whom he admires and that influenced and inspired him from early childhood into making movies. Many of which sparked his various subversive obsessions.As a fan of John's early work (Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Desperate Living) and Divine, I've seen many interviews with John relating to the late Divine. I'm always interested in hearing his humorous liberal views and distaste for buttoned downed middle class America. He's a minority that doesn't fit in with his minority group and proud of it. A true misfit.When I came across Role Models I purchased it without a second thought. Before starting it I expected there to be previously untold anecdotes of outrageous shenanigans that he and his 'followers' (Divine, Mink Stole, Cookie, David Lochary) committed. If your hoping for this, you'll be disappointed.John pretty much focuses on his idols. The reasons for his adoration and some interesting stories regarding the ones he's met. His icons range from Johnny Mathis, his favourite contemporary artists to his friendship with one of the Charles Manson girls, currently serving a life sentence.His writing is shot with humour but I feel this book is definitely one for the fans. I thoroughly enjoyed it as it give me an insight into what moulded John into what he's become today but if you know little about him there may not be enough here to sustain your interest.

If you're already a John Waters fan then what are you waiting for, get this already! This does not disappoint me at all, it is the first book i have read by cult film director John Waters, his writing style is open and comic as well as insightful and sincere. Although this book describes John's obsessive love affair with quirky characters, places and things it is littered with anecdotes of his past and experiences he's had with the people of Baltimore. I probably won't be able to articulate anything more than the other reviewers have here but i just wanted to give John Waters Role Models a 5 star rating!

Fantastic read, really fun.

great book..very personable...and you learn a load about modern art without john teaching or lecturing...and of course its great great fun.