John Waters: This Filthy World

John Waters: This Filthy World, a documentary style movie that was released in 2006, is a one-man show that offers director John Waters the opportunity to share his remarkable life journey, peppered with observant, mordant wit and a characteristic disregard for the stifling constraints of societal norms.

The film is brought to life by Emmy award-winning director Jeff Garlin, known for his work on Curb Your Enthusiasm. He captures John Waters in his element, taking viewers through an adventure chronicling Waters’ enthralling career and personal recollections.

Throughout the film, John Waters is fittingly in the spotlight. He is best known for his unique, innovative approach to directing, a specialty that has earned him a cult following influenced by his notorious "trash film" aesthetic. Waters has well-known titles under his belt like Pink Flamingos, Serial Mom, Cry Baby, and Hairspray.

The movie was filmed at the Harry DeJur Playhouse in New York City while Waters was executing a national tour of his several one-man shows. While the stage setting and one-man format might suggest a stand-up comedy routine, don't be misled. The artist, inveterately filled with anecdotes and insights, artfully blends humor with atypical narratives in this treasure trove of his artistic ventures.

Throughout the film, we get to teeter on the brink of Waters' world, a provocative place where the filmmaker’s unique vision and wit turn society's moral rules upside down, challenging our norms and taking us on a madcap ride through twentieth-century pop culture.

The director’s natural storytelling ability is uncannily showcased as he seamlessly ties sequences together, relaying his stories with a flexible ease. He recounts tales from his early influences, his process, famous films and the path he's taken in his craft, with a touch of self-deprecating humor.

Waters also spares no opportunity to explore his obsession with true crime, which he openly admits in his works. He takes his audience on a voyeuristic journey examining his love for these egregious acts and shares how they influenced his film-making process.

He adopts a fascinating communication style, neither talking down to his audiences nor hand holding them through his narrative journey but engages them akin to listening to an interesting tale at a dinner party.

The 86-minute cinematic experience is filled with seldom discussed nuggets, providing an in-depth look into a world created by an auteur who's unconcerned about the traditional limitations. The fact that he is unapologetically himself and truly appreciates the oddities in life is palpable throughout his fascinating tales. Raw and unfiltered, John isn’t afraid to tell it as he sees it.

The film also explores his biting commentary on society and the film industry, on censorship and what is considered 'obscene'. This provides an unvarnished view of his avant-garde style and the ability to provoke thought through his work.

John Waters: This Filthy World reveals a maverick auteur, a raconteur, and an unconventional humorist who consensually goes beyond the mainstream. It is a perfect viewing for those who have admired his film career, are interested in alternative film-making, or just enjoy a rollicking good story. This is especially illuminating for fans of Waters and his specific style of 'aesthetic trash', juxtaposing the execrable with the sublime, marking a notable niche in cinema history.

Essentially, this film is a tribute to, and a first-hand exploration of, a filmmaker that carved an iconic and enduring place in the annals of pop culture, and brings to us a distinctive world-view benefiting from its wry and irreverent perspective.

This Filthy World is an ode to the unconventional, the bizarre, the taboo and the grotesque, much like its protagonist, John Waters. It serves as a tribute and a masterclass intertwining biographical elements, cinematic history, societal critique and commentary — all superbly delivered with Waters’ trademark style and sense of humor. A testament to John Waters and his fascinating universe – a universe where filth, trash, and shock value aren't pejoratives but creative tools brought to life in vivid Technicolor.

All told, John Waters: This Filthy World is an endearing celebration of taking the road less traveled, reminding us of the value of individuality, authenticity, and the indispensable power of a well-placed punchline.