Pecker

Produktion / Release

Synopsis DE

From director John Waters comes the rags-to-riches comedy 'Pecker', the story of America's most unlikely superstar photographer. Nicknamed for his childhood habit of 'pecking' at his food, Pecker is a goofy cute eighteen year old blue-collar kid who works in a sandwich shop and takes photos of his loving but peculiar family on the side. Nobody thinks much of Pecker's 'ugly photographs of everyday life' until Rorey, a pretty young art dealer from New York, accidentally discovers his work and turns him into an art star.

But what at first seems like success for Pecker quickly turns to misery back home, especially when the whole world is watching. How can his family be 'culturally challenged' as one critic gushes? What's so 'delicious' about photos of his Mom in her thrift shop helping the poor with their 'fashion problem'? Is it everybody's business that Dad's corner bar is losing customers to a striptease joint down the street just because Pecker has the pictures to prove it?

Yes, Pecker is thrilled his pictures are selling but why does his grandmother become a laughing stock when she appears on the cover of a magazine holding the religious statue of Mary she believes talks to her nightly? Is it fair that Tina, his gay-friendly older sister is fired from her job of hiring go-go boys just because Pecker's edgy photographs expose their secret sex lives? Even little Chrissy, his six year old sister, is feeling the downside of celebrity when her eating disorder is exposed to the world, causing further hyperactivity, mood-swings and a visit from a nosy social worker.

And Pecker's social life - forget it! Best friend Matt can't even shop lift anymore now that Pecker's photographs have increased his profile and caused such a sensation. Poor Shelly, Pecker's workaholic girlfriend who runs a Laundromat, seems especially distressed when the press dubs her a 'slum goddess' and mistakes her good-natured 'pin-up' poses for pornographic come-ons.

Can Pecker resist becoming a jerk? Will he have an affair with his rich and exciting art dealer or stick with girlfriend Shelly who loves him for who he really is? Will Pecker sell out or take back his career on his own terms?

Pecker. He's poor. He's white. But he sure ain't trash. All he ever wanted to do was take your picture.

Cast & Crew