Year: 1990
Directed by: John Waters
Written by: John Waters
Music by: Patrick Williams
Johnny Depp playing: Wade ´Cry-Baby´ Walker
Runtime: 58 min.
Release Date: April 6th, 1990
Plot Summary
In 1954 Baltimore, “Cry-Baby” Wade Walker (Johnny Depp) is the leader of a gang of “Drapes”. His ability to shed a single tear drives all the girls wild. One day after school, he is approached by Allison Vernon-Williams (Amy Locane), a pretty girl tired of being a “Square”, and the two fall in love.
Despite Allison’s grandmother’s (Polly Bergen) skepticism, Allison goes with Cry-Baby to Turkey Point, a local hangout spot for the Drapes, and sings with the Drapes. As Walker and Allison tell each other about their orphan lives (Cry-Baby’s father was sent to the electric chair after being the “Alphabet Bomber” – a killer who bombed places in alphabetical order [airport], [barber shop]); and Allison’s parents, who take separate planes so Allison won’t be alone, but their planes still collided with each other), Allison’s jealous square boyfriend, Baldwin (Stephen Mailer), starts a riot. Cry-Baby is blamed for the fight and sent to a penitentiary, outraging all his friends and even Allison’s grandmother, who is impressed by Cry-Baby’s posture, manners and musical talent.
As Lenora (Kim Webb), a girl with a crush on Cry-Baby but constantly rejected by him, claims to be pregnant with his child, Allison feels betrayed and returns to Baldwin and the Squares, though her grandmother advises against rushing into a decision. Meanwhile, in the penitentiary, Cry-Baby gets a teardrop tattoo. He tells the tattoo artist: “I’ve been hurt all my life, but real tears wash away. This one’s for Allison and I want it to last forever!”.
Eventually, Allison is persuaded by the newly-established alliance between the Drapes and her grandmother to stand by Cry-Baby and join the campaign for his release. Cry-Baby is released but immediately insulted by Baldwin who, after revealing that his grandfather is the one who electrocuted Cry-Baby’s father, challenges him to a chicken race. Cry-Baby wins, as Baldwin chickens out, and is reunited with Allison.
The film ends with all watching the chicken race crying a single tear, all except for Allison and Cry-Baby, who has finally let go of the past, enabling him to cry from both eyes.
by Wikipedia
